GIY Launches 2011 Growing Season

07/03/2011

GIY (Grow It Yourself) is kicking off the new growing season with a re-launch of its popular social network (www.giyireland.com) which aims to bring GIYers together and provide them with the information they need to successfully grow their own food. The GIY website attracted over 85,000 unique visitors last year and there are now nearly 100 GIY community groups around Ireland.

Designed by GIY’s technology partner’s Emagine Media, the new site includes a comprehensive veg directory, daily tips, videos and articles, and weekly blogs from GIY founder Michael Kelly and organic grower Klaus Laitenberger. There is also Ireland’s first comprehensive national map of allotments and community gardens. The site also includes an online store where GIYers can buy seeds, raised beds, tools, books and merchandise – all profits from the store are reinvested in GIY to help the organisation expand its services.

Source: Environment & Energy Management

Climate Inspirations: a Challenge Europe event in Dublin

07/03/2011

Climate Inspirations, an international event which aims to energise the climate debate and inspire action towards a low carbon future, will take place on Friday 25th March from 9.30-14.00 at The European Commission Representation in Ireland, 18 Dawson St., Dublin. Speakers include:

European champions from the British Council's climate project, Challenge Europe, will also share their experiences and present their final projects that aim to reduce CO2 emissions across Europe.

Those interested in attending this event must reserve a ticket in advance by contacting challengeeurope@britishcouncil.org. Further information is available at www.britishcouncil.org/ireland

Science for Environment Policy, issue 231 available online

07/03/2011

The latest issue of Science for Environment Policy is now available online. Articles for issue 231 include:

Registration open for Robert John Kane Energy Symposium

04/03/2011

Registration is now open for The Robert John Kane Energy Symposium, which will take place from Wednesday 27th to Friday 29th April 2011 at The Ramada Hotel, Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim. The theme of this symposium is ‘A Greener Future and Job Creation for Drumshanbo’, focusing on Enrgy ICT, Planning for Energy, and Energy Tourism.

This symposium will be the first step in a three-stage programme. The ideas from the discussion panel will be implemented directly to the Drumshanbo and surrounding areas, creating environmental benefits as well as employment for the area.

Further details of the event and registration are available online at www.rjkenergy.com.

Call for entries to first Sustainable Energy Innovation Award

04/03/2011

Prof J. Owen Lewis, CEO of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has launched the first Sustainable Energy Innovation Award (2nd March).

SEAI is calling for entries for the inaugural Innovation Award for pre- or early- commercialisation stage sustainable energy products or services. This includes innovation at research, development, testing or demonstration stages which are not yet available on the market. Short-listed companies will be given the opportunity to present before a panel of judges in a Dragons’ Den format at the annual SEAI Energy Show to take place at the RDS, Dublin on March 30th and 31st.

Entries will be judged according to levels of innovation, energy performance and environmental impact, and the business potential of each concept. The deadline for receipt of completed application entries for the Innovation Award is March 9th and the shortlist of entries due to present at the Energy Show will be published during the week commencing March 14th. All winners will be announced on the opening day of the Show on March 30th. The winning entrant will receive financial support towards business costs depending on their stage of development which could take the form of incubation space fees, mentoring and management consultancy or marketing consultancy. For more information and a copy of the entry form, visit www.seai.ie.  Submissions are accepted by email only to innovationaward@seai.ie

Source: SEAI

Second version of the bioenergy GIS released

04/03/2011

The second version of the bioenergy GIS has been released. It has improved visualisation, usability and energy crop analysis tools (including a carbon dioxide calculator).

SEAI is now seeking feedback from users and potential users on how the system is being used, what needs to be improved, and what additional elements would improve the usefulness for the bioenergy GIS. This information will assist in deciding whether to continue support and development of the bioenergy GIS, and what direction future development will take.

All feedback should be sent to info@seai.ie  with Subject: Bioenergy GIS or by calling 01 808 2067.

EU grants €2 million to overseas biodiversity projects

03/03/2011

The European Commission is to give an additional €2 million to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystem services in its Outermost Regions and Overseas Countries and Territories. Known as BEST, the Voluntary scheme for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Territories of European Overseas will fund pilot projects in these areas, which are home to exceptional biodiversity, and host more endemic species than the whole of continental Europe combined. The financial support was originally suggested by the European Parliament.

The European Commission plans to launch a call for proposals in May 2011 for projects that wish to apply for funding. The projects will showcase the scheme and will prepare the ground for a governance structure with a view to longer term support. The scheme will build on existing sites and networks and take on board previous projects.

Source: EU Press

Anaerobic Digestion to produce energy from organic waste

02/03/2011

Ireland is lagging behind the rest of Europe in using Anaerobic Digestion to produce energy from organic waste. This technology could help Ireland meet some of the challenges of combating climate change and improving energy security. The targets under the EU 2020 Climate Change and Energy package are challenging and require innovative approaches to develop renewable sources of energy domestically, particularly for heat and transport.

Delegates at a major international conformance, AD Europe 2011, held in Dublin, heard how one quarter of the potential biodegradable waste produced in Europe is used to produce biogas through Anaerobic Digestion. The conference was organised by the European Compost Network (ECN) and Cré, (The Composting and Anaerobic Digestion Association of Ireland) with the support of Teagasc.

Source: Teagasc

Fifth LIFE+ call for proposals

01/03/2011

The fifth LIFE+ call for proposals was published on 26 February 2011, with up to €267 million available for co-financing of projects under three headings: nature and biodiversity; environment policy and governance; and information and communication.

Project proposals should be sent to the relevant national authority no later than 18 July, 2011. National authorities will then send received proposals to the European Commission by 9 September, 2011. The Commission will check the outline projects against the LIFE+ eligibility criteria and will assess proposals on the basis of the LIFE+ selection and award criteria.

The earliest possible starting date for 2011 projects is 1 June, 2012. Project promoters are encouraged to make best use of the time available up to the deadline for submission of proposals to national authorities. Project proposals should be carefully checked to ensure that they are in line with all the criteria set out in the call documents. 

Source: LIFE
 

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