Rapid Biodiversity Loss Continues in Absence of Political Action and Accurate Assessments of Ecosystem Values

Finding ways to value ecosystem health economically and to engage the world’s indigenous peoples in the process is key to saving biological diversity, a Worldwatch author suggests in the Institute’s most recent book. Such efforts are all the more urgent because the addition of more plant and animal species to lists of those threatened or … Read more

Natural Resources Committee Calls For New Fiscal licencing Regime in Offshore Exploration

The Joint Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture, in a report launched yesterday (May 9th), recommends a new fiscal licencing regime and greater public consultation on offshore oil and gas exploration. The Joint Committee has held a number of meetings in recent months, in which the diverse voices of key stakeholders in Ireland as … Read more

Huge Majority of EU Citizens Care Deeply About the Environment

The latest survey by the European Commission shows that the environment is an important personal concern to more than 90% of respondents in every single Member State. A large majority of Europeans agree that using natural resources more efficiently and protecting the environment can boost economic growth in the EU. The report also contains a … Read more

£4 Million EU Funded Geological Project

A £4million EU funded geological project to carry out further analysis of Northern Ireland’s natural resources has been launched. The cross-border Tellus Border project has been funded by the INTERREG IVA development programme of the European Regional Development Fund, which is managed by the Special European Programmes Body. This is the largest of the latest … Read more

Offers of Onshore Petroleum Licensing Options

The Department for Natural Resources has completed a detailed evaluation of the applications received for Licensing Options in the Northwest Carboniferous Basin and the Clare Basin. On the basis of that evaluation the Government will offer Onshore Petroleum Licensing Options to: (i) Tamboran Resources PTY over 986 sq km in the Northwest Carboniferous Basin;  (ii) … Read more

Ocean Energy Could Create 70,000 Jobs and be Worth €120 Billion

At a recent meeting of Irish and international ocean energy experts, John Mullins, chief executive of Bord Gais, spoke of his concern that not enough investment and planning is being put into developing Ireland’s ocean energy resources, an industry which could create up to 70,000 jobs and deliver a cumulative benefit of €120 billion to … Read more

Sound of Wood Concert Marks International Launch of Just Music Project

The Chieftains will appear at the Tullamore Court Hotel on Wednesday the 24th November for a special concert titled the Sound of Wood which is being hosted by Just Forests, an Irish non profit organisation promoting good forest management and helping to alleviate poverty in African communities – www.justforests.org. The concert will be the international … Read more

Attracting Asian Oil Companies to Ireland

Minister for Natural Resources, Conor Lenihan will front a major promotion of Ireland’s oil and gas exploration potential at a major international petroleum conference in Singapore. Ireland’s offshore exploration potential will take centre stage at the Oil and Gas Investment Asia conference where Minister Lenihan will deliver a keynote speech, in which he will declare … Read more

Conservation – Inland Fisheries Ireland Commences Operation

In keeping with the Government’s programme for the rationalisation of State bodies, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has become operational to management the inland fisheries sector. The new body replaces the Central and seven Regional Fisheries Boards, the National Salmon Commission and eight Fisheries Co-operative Societies. The establishment of the IFI marks a new departure in … Read more