News & Events

What's New? February 2012

IBEC Environment Awards Winners Announced

09/02/2012

IBEC, the group that represents Irish business, today announced the winners of the Irish stage of the 2012 European Business Awards for the Environment (EBAE), which recognise European companies that combine innovation, economic viability and environmental concerns. The Irish winners will compete with companies across 23 European countries at the EBAE awards during European Green Week (22-25 May) in Brussels. The winners include:

• Vodafone in Dublin won the European Environmental Management award.
   
• Larkin Engineering in Galway won the European Product award.
   
• Roadstone Wood in West Dublin received the European Process award.
   
• Irish Cement in Louth received the IBEC Environmental Excellence award.

Source: IBEC

EC Consultation on a Dedicated Legislative Instrument on Invasive Alien Species

09/02/2012

The European Commission is preparing a dedicated legislative instrument on Invasive Alien Species. In preparation of this instrument the Commission is now seeking views on the more specific choices to be made when establishing this instrument. The EU Commission welcomes contributions from citizens, organisations and public authorities.

The consultation will close on 12th April, 2012.
 

Consultation on a dedicated legislative instrument on invasive alien species

New guide shows how to grow business sustainably

07/02/2012

A step-by-step guide designed to help businesses accelerate sustainable growth has been launched by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).

The guide, Collaboration, innovation, transformation, includes case studies from 10 major companies – including Coca-Cola, Procter & Gamble and Unilever – demonstrating how sustainable value chains can create competitive advantage for business.

According to the WBCSD, a rapid transformation in the way products and services are produced and consumed is essential to keep up with the demands of the globe’s growing population without further damaging the environment. Its own Vision 2050 report predicts that agricultural output will double and resource efficiency will increase tenfold.

Designed to be practical, the guide outlines concrete actions companies can take to drive sustainability through their value chains. At each step in the process, companies are offered a series of practical recommendations to identify and implement systematic improvements. The report includes case studies that demonstrate how sustainable value chain approaches have been successfully adopted by companies and made them more competitive.

Source: Business & Leadership

Minister Rabbitte opens Energy Action Conference

07/02/2012

Minister Rabbitte opened the Energy Action poverty Conference in Dublin Castle on 6th-7th Feb 2012. This two-day event builds on the recent launch of the Affordable Energy Strategy and will provide a forum for those working in the area to share key information, experience and perspectives so as to identify effective solutions to the fuel poverty issue. Minister Rabbitte noted that

‘The last year has not been as easy one for any of us. We’ve all felt the pinch – from Government Departments to community-based organisations and charities – and most especially those who we serve, the people struggling to pay their bills.’

The Affordable Energy Strategy was published late last year and aims to target the mitigation of energy poverty amongst low-income households in Ireland and represents the delivery of one of the programme for government commitments. The Minister highlighted the efforts of the many charitable organisations working with those in energy poverty,

‘I greatly value the work of the many community organisations represented here today, who reach out and make links with those who are often worst off and hardest to reach. The next few days promise to be crucial to the development and implementation of energy poverty policy.’

There are 48 actions set out in the strategy across three timeframes: those that can be delivered within the short-term i.e. less than 12 months, those that will take up to 18 months to deliver and those that are projected to take longer. This reflects the nature of what needs to be done and the complexity of the energy poverty issue. The short term measures outlined will be immediately actioned by the Inter-Departmental/Agency Group on Affordable Energy and its members.

Source: Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Consultation on Delivering more Sustainable Consumption and Production

06/02/2012

The European Commission wants to gather views and additional information on the possible introduction of EU wide measures related to Sustainable Consumption and Production. The consultation also looks at Green Public Procurement (GPP), the Environmental Footprint of Products (PEF) and the Environmental Footprint of Organisations (OEF). The consultation offers an opportunity to all interested parties to express their views, to give their opinion on the proposed policy options.

Contributions from citizens, organisations and public authorities are welcome. Full details on making a contribution are available on the European Commission website.

Source: European Commission

Science for Environment Policy issue 271 now available online

06/02/2012

Science for Environment Policy issue 271 is now available online. Articles include:

• Characterisation of ultrafine particles from a waste-incinerator plant
• Five strategies to help damaged marine ecosystems recover
• New study reveals Europe's rivers under pressure
• Can the public support wave power?
• Some forest soils still to recover from acidification by air pollutants
• Urban forest: could they be doing us a disservice?
• Photovoltaic supply falls short of solar power targets

Stockholm Convention's Global Art Competition for Children and Young People

03/02/2012

The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants celebrated its 10^th anniversary during 2011. To mark this occasion the Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention is organising a global art contest for children and young people. The theme of the contest is “Stockholm at 10: Chemical Challenges, Sustainable Solutions”.

The contest is open to three possible art media categories: Drawing, Photography and Short video. There are also three age categories: 5-10 years old;  11-15 years old; 16-20 years old. The deadline for entering the contest is 16 March 2012.  Further details can be found on the contest webpage.

World Wetlands Day: 2 February

02/02/2012

Today, February 2nd is World Wetlands Day. The theme for 2012 is Wetlands and Tourism and is linked to the theme for the next meeting of the Conference of the Parties, COP11: Wetlands, Tourism and Recreation, which will take place in July 2012, in Bucharest, Romania.

There are a number of resources available for download from the World Wetlands Day website in order to promote the event.

·          A brochure for WWD 2012 on wetlands and sustainable tourism, and how tourism can benefit Ramsar Sites and all wetlands

·          A poster, a flipbook, a comic, and a sticker, all aimed at providing information on wetlands and tourism.

Everyone is encouraged to consider customising and printing these materials using the original design files in Adobe InDesign, which are available on DVD. Please write to wwd@ramsar.org if you would like to receive the design files – and don’t forget to include your full mailing address.

Please send your customisations, WWD reports, photographs and event summaries to us at wwd@ramsar.org.

Source: World Wetlands Day

Green Schools Travel Competition 2012

02/02/2012

The Green-Schools Travel Competition 2012 is now open to all schools that are working on or have earned the Green-Schools Travel Flag. Total prize fund is €5000!

This competition is to create artwork on the theme ‘Great for the planet, great for me!’ Using a poem, letter, song, poster or postcard, express how sustainable travel can benefit the earth, our society, our communities and us.

How to take part
Encourage students to create a poem letter, song, post or postcard expressing the theme of this year’s competition. Shortlist the top 10 entries and send them to the Head Office by the closing date. IDEA: Host your own competition and choose ten entries as your winners. The winner(s) from your school could become your school’s Green Code for the Travel theme!

There are three categories:

• Category A: Junior Infants – 2nd Class

• Category B: 3rd Class – 6th Class

• Category C: Secondary School (all years)

The official flyer, application form, terms and conditions are available for download from the Green Schools website.

The closing date for the receipt of entries is 9th March 2012

Please send entries by post or email to:
Green-Schools Travel Competition
An Taisce EEU
Unit 5A
Swift’s Alley
Francis Street
Dublin 8

Email: gstravelcompetition2012@eeu.antaisce.org

Source: Green Schools