December
Climate Change Bill Published
23/12/2010
Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, John Gormley, published the Climate Change Response Bill 2010 on the 23rd of December. The Bill outlines a statutory approach to strengthen the national response to climate change and to reinforce government policy which would position Ireland as country proactive in its response to climate change.
The Minister announced that a public consultation period will run until 28th January 2011. Information on this consultation will be available at www.environ.ie.
New EcoBike from An tSlí Ghlas Initiative
23/12/2010
The first new company, GreenEgg Technologies, has been launched from the Green Way/An tSlí Ghlas alliance of businesses, academic institutions and local authorities, which represents Ireland’s first Green Economic Zone.
GreenEgg Technologies' first product is the EcoBike, which is a pedal powered electrical generator developed to demonstrate the concepts of energy efficiency and green living in an interactive way. As the user pedals, various electrical appliances are powered by the bike. The user will find it more or less difficult to pedal depending on the type of appliance selected on a touch screen interface. The total power generated by each user will be recorded and compared to the power required for different electrical devices.
GreenEgg Technologies is a spinout of the Energy and Design Lab in Dublin City University, with a link to Dublin Institute of Technology.
Source: Dublin Institute of Technology
Closure of the hunting season for wild birds extended
23/12/2010
The closure of the hunting season for wild birds has been extended until the 30th of December by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government due to the continuing cold and freezing weather conditions.The temporary closure is to protect wild ducks, geese and waders and other wild game birds during the cold weather.
Further information is available on the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government's website.
Dioxin Levels in Ireland well below EU Limits
22/12/2010
According to a recent EPA report on dioxin levels in the Irish environment, dioxin levels are well below the relevant EU limits. In all samples taken in the study, the average level of dioxins was less than 10% of the EU limit.
Dioxins mainly come from unintentional by-products of incomplete combustion and from certain chemical processes. Dr. Colman Concannon, from the EPA stated that “The concentrations of dioxins were low by international standards and comparisons.” The report is based on dioxin levels which were measured in cows’ milk in a study in 2009.
The report Dioxin Levels in the Irish Environment -Seventh Assessment is available on the EPA website.
Source: EPA website
Boom in Irish Domestic Wood Processing Sector
22/12/2010
Coillte has reported that the domestic wood processing sector in Ireland has experienced a significant growth in exports, with an almost 40 fold increase since early 2009, due to greater international demand for construction sawn wood products from Ireland. According to Coillte, construction sawn-wood exports from Irish saw mills have increased from approximately 5,000m3 at the beginning of 2009, to more than 200,000m3 for 2010.
Further information is available on the Coillte website at http://www.coillte.ie/aboutcoillte/news/article/view/irish-wood-exports-surge-says-coillte/
ENFO 'Showcase your Place' competition
21/12/2010
Just two weeks left to enter the ENFO 'Showcase your Place' competition! Are you, your family, your school or your community working to create a greener living space for your area? Enter the competition by uploading your photo or video and a short description of your green project. Show others what you are doing to make your place a greener space!
New ENFOpoint at Clara Library Co. Offaly
20/12/2010
A new ENFOpoint has been launched at Clara Library Co. Offaly. It will provide library users with access to up-to-date information on the environment through www.enfo.ie and a range of environmental information in the library. The ecologist, author and broadcaster Eanna Ní Lamhna officially launched the new ENFOpoint. The Clara ENFOpoint also includes a dedicated PC, books on the environment, and an ENFO news notice board featuring local and national environmental news. A special programme of environmental events, exhibitions and workshops will also run at the library over the next 6 months.
Irish National Butterfly Survey and Database
20/12/2010
Butterfly Ireland has published its online submission of records for 2010 at
www.butterflyireland.com/butterfly_records_2010.htm as part of the Irish National Butterfly Survey and Database. A Red List of the Butterflies of Ireland has also been produced by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and can be downloaded from http://www.npws.ie/en/PublicationsLiterature/RedLists/
Green Ideas Sought on the Future of Dun Laoghaire Harbour
17/12/2010
Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company is looking for ideas on the future direction of Dun Laoghaire Harbour, including renewable energy and other green initiatives. The Harbour Company is preparing a Masterplan to address the changing emphasis of the harbour from a commercial to a recreational harbour.
The Harbour Company and the Project Team drawing up the Harbour Masterplan are interested in hearing from anyone with ideas about the future of the Harbour. All ideas received will be carefully considered and will provide a valuable context for the Masterplan.
Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company is responsible for maintaining the huge physical fabric of the harbour, with its many protected structures. The Harbour Masterplan will protect and enhance the harbour’s natural features and its setting. It will also address potential new uses, such as cruise ship visits and tourism initiatives to enhance economic development in the area and it will examine the potential for renewable energy and other green initiatives in the Harbour. It will also examine the future relationship between the harbour and the Dun Laoghaire town centre.
You can log on to www.dlharbour.ie/masterplan to send your ideas and/or complete the on-line questionnaire. Alternatively, you can send your ideas by post to Masterplan Team, Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, Harbour Lodge, Crofton Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin or e mail info@dlharbour.ie before 17th January 2011.
Winners of 2010 Limerick in Bloom announced
17/12/2010
Winners of the third annual 2010 Limerick in Bloom competition were announced last night (16th December) at a ceremony in the Woodlands House Hotel. Entries were submitted by 36 communities from across Co. Limerick, but Adare Tidy Towns and Development Association, the winner of category 1 (population over 700), was named as the overall winner.
Limerick in Bloom is organised by Limerick County Council in conjunction with Shannon Development, and aims to encourage Limerick community groups to enhance their local environment through planting trees, flowers and shrubs. The adjudication took place in July.
Hospital was named as the winner of Category 2 (population of 301-700), while the village of Ardpatrick was named the winner of Category 3 (population under 300).
Science for Environment Policy, issue #222 available online
17/12/2010
The latest issue of Science for Environment Policy is available online. Articles include:
- Antibiotice cocktails harmful to freshwater bacteria
- New tool to analyse the greenness of products and processes
- Can discounting emission credits solve the CDM’s problems?
- Call for Natural Capital to be mainstreamed into finance ministries
- Pest reduction in landscape containing GM maize
- New fossil fuel-free plastic made of wood
Temporary Closure of Open Hunting Season for Birds to Continue
16/12/2010
The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government has decided that the temporary closure of the hunting season for wild birds brought in last week should be extended for a further week due to the continuing cold and freezing weather conditions across the State.
The Department consulted with the National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC), other representative hunting organisations, farming organisations and Birdwatch Ireland, all of whom support this extension which will now close the hunting of birds up to and including 21st December 2010.
The temporary closure is to protect wild ducks, geese and waders and other wild game birds during this cold weather. The National Parks and Wildlife Service urges all hunters to respect this measure which clearly has a conservation benefit for the long-term populations of these wild game species. This temporary closure of the hunting season will allow for the hunting of pen-reared birds, but this will require a licence. The situation will be reviewed by Tuesday 21st December.
Minister Gormley announces payment of 2010 Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund Grants
15/12/2010
Mr John Gormley T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, announced (13/12/2010) that he has approved grants totalling €610,622 to be paid under the 2010 Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund. The projects are co-funded by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Local Authorities.
The Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund promotes sustainable development by assisting small scale, non-profit environmental projects at a local level. The fund has operated in various forms since 1997 when 65 projects received funding. This year, the number of projects to be funded is a record 448.
“Local Agenda 21 facilitates sustainable development at community level. It encourages greater participation by communities in local decision making and helps bring communities together to build a more inclusive, more resilient society,” said Minister Gormley.
This year the Minister sought to continue to raise awareness of sustainable living and the importance of locally grown produce through the provision of community vegetable gardens and allotments. The scheme was particularly successful in this regard, with 105 projects gaining approval for almost €110,000 in funding.
A full list of this year’s successful projects is now available on www.environ.ie
Source: Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government
Energy and Environment Review 2010 available online
15/12/2010
The Energy and Environment Review 2010 is the third in a series of annual reports published by the Economic and Social Research Institute, discussing trends in resource use and emissions to the environment as well as policies to change those trends. The key findings are as follows:
- While emissions of most persistent organic pollutants are expected to fall between 2010 and 2025, emissions from households of PCBs to air and of dioxins to land and air, and particularly emissions of hexachlorocarbons to air from agriculture are projected to increase. To avoid this, additional policy interventions would be required.
- Our estimates of the amount of methane from landfill differ from the official estimates, suggesting that international emission reduction obligations are less severe than they seem to be.
- On average, firms spend 0.3% of their turnover on environmental protection and 0.7% of their investment is directed towards environmental care. More than three-quarters of firms spend no money at all on environmental care, but some firms spend up to 1.5% of turnover or 7% of investment.
- It is expected that wind power will account for two-fifths of power generation by 2020, replacing coal and peat. After 2020, coal may well return to the fuel mix, with or without technically risky and expensive carbon capture and storage. Carbon dioxide emissions in 2025 would be 2.6 million tonnes higher without carbon capture and storage.
- A large share of electricity is expected to come from renewable energy. The use of biofuels in transport can be expanded but this may face economic and environmental objections. In other sectors, the use of renewable energy seems to have stalled. It is therefore likely that Ireland will have to import renewable obligations in order to meet its targets.
- Recent tax reforms have shifted the balance in favour of diesel cars, so that carbon dioxide emissions and tax revenue are lower than what they would have been without tax reform. In the unlikely event that the government meets the target that 10% of all cars be all-electric vehicles, carbon dioxide emissions from transport and power generation would fall by only 1% as all-electric cars primarily displace small cars driven over short distances.
- Over the last two decades, energy efficiency has rapidly improved in Ireland and the government hopes to accelerate this trend. However, even if current policies are maintained, which seems unlikely given the current fiscal situation, a deceleration is more likely due to sectoral shifts in the economy, less efficient power generation, and export of electricity to Great Britain.
- Ireland will probably meet its emission reduction obligations under the Kyoto Protocol because of the severe recession. However, at this point the EU target for 2020 seems to be out of Ireland's reach. Subsidies are more likely to fall than rise, and the announced carbon tax is insufficient for the emission reductions required. Ireland will therefore have to import emission permits from other EU Member States.
- Incineration will help Ireland to meet its landfill targets in the medium-term, but in the long-term more reform of waste policy is needed. Weight-based charging and three-bin waste collection would be needed (in urban areas) to make the planned increase in the landfill levy effective.
The full publication is available to download at http://www.esri.ie/publications/latest_publications/view/index.xml?id=3129
Source: ESRI
Minister Gormley Launches Guidance on Wetlands Sewerage Systems
14/12/2010
Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr John Gormley TD, has launched a new guidance document on Constructed Wetlands.
Integrated Constructed Wetlands are natural sewerage systems which are very kind to the environment. They can deal with farmyard soiled water and domestic wastewater applications. They consist of a series of connected ponds, through which the polluted water flows. Nutrient removal is facilitated by the action of specific plants. While more than a hundred native species can be used, in general about 12 species have most commonly been used including sedges, bulrushes and iris.
“ICWs are not simply concerned with waste water treatment. In addition to this core function, they can support biodiversity and play a role in flood attenuation. These services are provided in a sustainable and cost effective way using local materials and local workers. ICWs are less about the concrete tanks and pumps associated with conventionally engineered waste water treatment plants and more about soft engineering, aquatic plants and landscape-fit,” added Minister Gormley.
The document is available at www.environ.ie.
Source: Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government
Irish Renewable Energy grew by 15% per annum for five years up to 2009
According to the annual Energy in Ireland report from The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), renewable energy in Ireland grew by an average of 15% per annum from 2005 to 2009, driven largely by a significant growth in wind energy of 28% per annum in that period. In parallel, 2009 witnessed a steady trend towards lower energy prices in Ireland for both domestic and business energy users.
Launched on 10th December at an event in Dublin, the report, Energy in Ireland 1990-2009 shows that in addition to the decline in economic activity, increased energy efficiency and the consistent growth of renewables on the national grid contributed to a significant decline in energy-related CO2 emissions in 2009 of 11%.
A key finding of the report in relation to transport and car purchase shows that Government changes to vehicle registration tax and motor tax are positively influencing consumer purchase choice to more efficient vehicles. 80% of new cars purchased in 2010 (Jan to Nov) were in the most energy efficient A and B label bands, up from 25% in July 2008, prior to the new tax band introduction.
The report also shows that overall energy use declined by 9% in 2009, with sectors such as industry at 13%, services at 12% and transport at 10% witnessing the greatest fall.
The report can be accessed through the SEAI website.
Source: SEAI
Raincatcher offers Free consultations to Irish Business and Homeowners till end of January 2011
14/12/2010
Raincatcher.ie offers an environmental solution to the stressed out mains water supply in Ireland. We are offering Free consultations to both business and home owners on how they can use rainwater for all non potable use on their premisies till end of January 2011. Saving the average business up to 85 % of its water rate bill. The mains water supply is under stress and by using rainwater its both cheaper then paying for the water from county council and also saving this precious resource.Goverment is bringing in water rates for home owners next year so getting prepared early is vital.
For further information or queries please contact Martina directly on 0860418663.
Source: Irish Press Releases
European Union welcomes Cancún Agreement as important step towards global framework for climate action
13/12/2010
The European Union welcomes the positive results of the Cancún climate conference. The balanced and substantive package of decisions adopted on 11th December, known as the Cancún Agreement, represents an important further step on the road to building a comprehensive and legally binding framework for climate action for the period after 2012.
Connie Hedegaard, European Commissioner for Climate Action, said: "The EU came to Cancun to get a substantial package of action-oriented decisions and keep the international climate change negotiations on track. We have helped to deliver the successful outcome the world expected and needed. But the two weeks in Cancún have shown once again how slow and difficult the process is. Everyone needs to be aware that we still have a long and challenging journey ahead of us to reach the goal of a legally binding global climate framework".
Source: EU Press
Irish company wins innovation award for sustainable technology
13/12/2010
Irish software company TreeMetrics has won a Society of Irish Foresters Innovation Award for its ‘virtual sawmill’ technology to sustainably measure and harvest forests. TreeMetrics CEO Enda Keane said:
“This is a very important green technology for the planet as it enables us to produce more timber from fewer trees. The forest owner and sawmill buyer can ‘cut’ the forest online remotely in their office without even having to visit the site, so you can see where the value is and reduce waste.”
This is a more efficient measurement technique that the current method.
“The standard for over 100 years has been to walk around the forest and use a calipers to measure at a height of 1.3 metres above the ground...You measure the height of the trees and you get the average taper of the forest. But it assumes the trees are straight,” said Keane.
TreeMetrics has also recently received a Smart Planet award from IBM.
London unveils hydrogen bus fleet
13/12/2010
Zero-polluting hydrogen buses that emit only water vapour have been unveiled in London, providing a boost to plans to improve the English capital’s air quality. The first of a planned fleet of eight will start operating on 18 December using the latest hydrogen fuel cell technology. The buses will form the only hydrogen bus fleet in the UK and the largest currently in Europe.
These state-of-the-art vehicles were specifically designed for Transport for London (TfL) using pioneering technology developed by ISE, Wrightbus and Ballard. All eight buses are expected to be phased into operation next year creating the UK’s first zero-emission bus route.
The RV1 route passes through some of London’s most polluted areas, so its conversion to hydrogen power will help to improve London’s air quality. The buses are joining one of the cleanest, lowest polluting bus fleets in Europe which also includes 100 hybrid buses.
This is set to expand to 300 and, from 2012, will be joined by the Mayor’s New Bus for London, which will be 40% less polluting than a traditional diesel bus.
The buses will run from a specially designed maintenance facility housed in First’s Lea Interchange bus depot at Stratford in east London. This will include the UK’s largest permanent hydrogen refuelling station to be maintained by Air Products.
Source: Environment & Energy Management
Exhibition on Irish Biodiversity Projects
10/12/2010
From Thursday 9 to Friday 17 December the European Commission Representation will host an exhibition showcasing some of the 40 projects that took place in 2010 to celebrate Biodiversity during the 2010 UN Year of Biodiversity. The exhibition will include images from events and projects, booklets, leaflets, posters, and models.
Fourteen members of the Irish Enviromental Network took part in ‘Celebrating Biodiversity’ projects and events. They were An Taisce, Bat Conservation Ireland, BirdWatch Ireland, Centre for Environmental Living & Training, Coastwatch, Eco-Unesco, Forest Friends, Hedge Laying Association of Ireland, Irish Natural Forestry Foundation, Irish Peatland Conservation Council, Irish Seal Sanctuary, Irish Seed savers Association, Irish Whale & Dolphin Group, Irish Wildlife Trust.
During the 2010 UN Biodiversity Year the Irish Department of Environment, Heritage, and Local Government, National Parks and Wildlife Service provided the Irish Environmental Network (IEN) with a grant towards biodiversity projects. The IEN put out a call for proposals among member groups working on biodiversity. The fund was well oversubscribed. Forty projects were then selected in order to maximise lasting result, geographic spread and stakeholders addressed. A selection of these projects is being showcased in the exhibition.
The exhibition will be open to the public on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Science for Environment Policy, issue #221 available online
10/12/2010
The latest issue of Science for Environment Policy is available online. Articles include:
- The future of fuel cells in civil aircraft?
- Public support for polluter pays principle in Baltic Sea survey
- Extracting water from the ground affects water on the surface
- Remaking and revaluing ships sent for demolition
- Tackling ambiguity in the management of natural resources
- Encouraging city workers to use green spaces
More Young Environmentalists than ever! Deadline Extended
09/12/2010
The number of groups from around Ireland and Northern Ireland participating in the ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2011 has increased by an incredible 40% compared to last year. To celebrate this increased interest, and give even more young people the chance to get involved in what is set to be Ireland’s biggest ever celebration of ECO-Action, ECO-UNESCO is keeping registration open until December 22nd and groups have until February 22nd 2011 to get their projects in.
The ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards recognise and reward the achievements of young people in environmental protection and are open to any group of young people, aged 10-18, who want to take action on key environmental issues such as climate change, energy, waste, biodiversity, transport and more.
Once registered, ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards groups can avail of ECO-UNESCO’s advice and support as their projects progress. Teachers and youth leaders can register groups of 2-25 young people at www.ecounesco.ie or by contacting ECO-UNESCO at +353 1 6625491, yea@ecounesco.ie.
Rural Generation joins forces with standard brands to produce the world's first 'Eco Log'
09/12/2010
Irish green energy company and willow development specialist Rural Generation has signed a long-term agreement, worth over €5 million, to source and provide willow chips. Willow is the key ingredient for an innovative new eco log which will see a number of “green jobs” being established in Ireland as well as presenting lucrative business opportunities for niche farmers.
“Croí na Tine”, which means “heart of the fire”, is a new formula 100% natural and sustainable fire log, manufactured by Standard Brands using locally grown coppiced willow, planted and harvested on Irish soil. As well as being the first product of its kind to use willow chip as its main ingredient this high performance product is the only fire log manufactured in Ireland.
Previously produced in Holland this new contract has resulted in the return of production of the fire log to Ireland with plans in the pipeline to eventually export the product.
For further information on growing willow contact Tom Brennan at Rural Generation on 0044 2871358215 or email tom.brennan@ruralgeneration.com
Source: Irish Press Releases
Bord Gáis Opens New €400m Power Plant in Cork
09/12/2010
Whitegate Power Plant, Bord Gáis’s first major electricity generating station, was officially opened by Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin T.D. in Cork on Monday 6th December. The 445 megawatts gas-fired power plant is one of the most efficient electricity generation facilities in the world today and is a key strategic development for Bord Gáis. It is also a key development for the State as it enhances the country’s security of supply and energy mix.
The €400m investment provides power for 445,000 homes and at the peak of its construction 800 people were employed on site. Construction started on Whitegate in March 2008 and it was one of the safest construction sites in Ireland with over 1.8 million man-hours and 19 months accident free.
Source: Bord Gáis
Temporary Closure of Open Hunting Season for Birds
08/12/2010
The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has temporarily closed the hunting season for wild birds due to the recent freezing conditions across the State.
The Wildlife Act 1976 (Temporary Suspension of Open Season) (No.2) Order 2010 suspends temporarily the hunting of wild birds due to the severity of weather conditions from Wednesday 8 December 2010 up to and including Tuesday 14 December 2010.
The species concerned are Mallard, Teal, Gadwall, Wigeon, Pintail, Shoveler, Scaup, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Goldeneye, Golden Plover, Snipe, Jack Snipe, Red-legged Partridge, Cock Pheasant, Woodcock, Woodpigeon, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose and Ruddy Duck. It does not affect shooting of pen-reared birds where a licence to do so has been issued under Section 22(9)(b) of the Wildlife Acts. Applicants for such a licence should immediately contact:
National Parks and Wildlife Service,
Main Street,
Ballybay,
Co. Monaghan.
Tel: (042) 9748712
The National Parks and Wildlife Service urges all hunters to respect this measure which clearly has a conservation benefit for the long-term populations of these wild game species.
The situation will be reviewed by Wednesday 15th December.
UNEP Releases Waste and Climate Change Report
08/12/2010
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) International Environmental Technology Centre has released a report titled "Waste and Climate Change: Global Trends and Strategy Framework."
According to the report, estimates put the emissions contribution of the waste sector at roughly 3-5%, but notes that reliability of calculation methods and data between countries vary, with uncertainty ranging from 10-30% in developed countries to 60% in developing countries.
The report concludes that the waste sector is well placed to cut its contribution to global man-made greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and even become an emissions saver. It recommends: reducing the amount of primary materials used in manufacturing; storing carbon in landfills and compost; and harvesting methane from rubbish tips for fuel and electricity generation. The report also highlights the potential to decouple waste production from economic growth through Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects focusing on landfill gases.
Download the report (PDF)Source: Climate Change & Policy Practice
Transforming Ireland Seminar Series: Seminar # 26
08/12/2010
The 26th seminar of the Transforming Ireland Seminar Series will take place on 9th December from 12.30-14.00 pm, at the Large Conference Room, O’Reilly Institute, Trinity College. Andrew Kelly, ApEnvEcon, will speak on ‘Minimising the Costs of Reducing Emissions from Road Transport’, and Tony McDermott, CEO Liberator Aeros, will speak on ‘Reducing Aircraft Emissions’.
This seminar series is presented jointly by the TCD TrinityHaus and the University College Dublin (UCD) Earth Sciences Institute. Attendance is free and all are welcome. To reserve a place at this seminar, please contact ESI.ADMIN@UCD.ie.
A Green Works Open Day in Tipperary
07/12/2010
On Tuesday 14th December | 14.00 – 17.00 | Village Office, Main Street, Cloughjordan | Free to Jobseekers through Green Works / €15 for waged.
Green Works in association with Village Education, Research and Training present an introduction to the business and job prospects of the green economy. This half-day event will begin with a presentation outlining the Green Works training programme for job seekers. This will be followed by a tour of Cloughjordan Ecovillage exploring potential business and employment opportunities for rural Ireland. The focus will be on tourism, food, energy, construction and community enterprise. The session will end in Cloughjordan House with a glass of mulled wine.
Source: Cultivate
New SEAI resources
07/12/2010
The SEAI/BWG Bioenergy Geographic Information System (GIS) is now available at http://maps.seai.ie/bioenergy/.
This provides spatially visualised access to bioenergy supply and demand information in Ireland, as well as some tools for assessing actual bioenergy supply and assessing the potential for energy crop development in a user-specified area. It is intended to develop this GIS into a more powerful tool for the development and use of Irish bioenergy resources over time.
SEAI's new publication Bioenergy Review is now available to download on the REIO Publications section [2.07Mb] of the SEAI website. Alternatively you can order your free copy from SEAI REIO by sending an email with your name and postal address to renewables@reio.ie.
Source: Envirocentre
Heritage Council blueprint for managing Ireland’s landscape
06/12/2010
The Heritage Council has published a blueprint on managing Ireland’s landscape (2nd December). Some of the measures in this blueprint include:
- Introducing a Landscape Ireland Act
- Establishing a Landscape Observatory of Ireland
- Landscape-proofing existing primary legislation, government programmes and policies
- Increasing public participation, accessibility and the use of local knowledge in landscape management
Michael Starett, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, commented:
“The problems of Ireland’s ‘ghost estates’, and last winter’s flooding of housing estates inappropriately constructed on floodplains, underline the necessity for a proper, integrated landscape strategy which takes due account of our built, natural and cultural heritage, and affords local communities an active, participative role in devising that policy.”
Further details are available on the Heritage Council website.
Science for Environment Policy, issue # 220 available online
06/12/2010
The latest issue of Science for Environment Policy is available online. Articles include:
- Implementing Natura 2000: Dutch and Italian experiences
- Humans are increasingly dependent on nature
- Managing water shortages under a growing population
- Roosting bats can adapt to forestry practices
- Positive environmental messages help encourage behavioural change
- Forests have long-term cooling effect during heatwaves
European Commission may increase funding for eco-innovation projects
02/12/2010
At a conference in Brussels on Tuesday, a senior official from the European Commission indicated that eco-innovation projects may receive additional financial support from the EU in order to attract more private investors. Georgios Floros, from the European Commission’s finance department, told delegates that the commission may revisit the parity principle and indicated that private investors would have to provide less funding to eco-innovation projects.
The conference also discussed the need to cut red tape for funding programmes and to tackle the skills shortages in engineering and eco-finance. entice
Three new EU energy research projects announced
01/12/2010
The European Union (EU) has announced three new European-wide energy research infrastructure projects, with an overall investment of an estimated €1.2 billion. A wind research facility (WINDSCANNER) is planned for Denmark, a concentrated solar power (CSP) plant for Spain (EU-SOLARIS), and a nuclear research reactor for Belgium (MYRRHA). These three research projects will be part of the Roadmap of the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI).
Further information:
EEA environmental report released
01/12/2010
The European Environment Agency (EEA) has published the fourth Environment State and Outlook report (SOER 2010). This report provides an overview of the European environment, how and why it is changing, the actions taken to cope with the changes, and its future outlook.
The report acknowledges the substantial improvements in the EU environment, but emphasises that many challenges still remain. This includes increased demands on natural resources and the EEA is calling for greater resource efficiency, environmental protection, and environmental taxes.
The full report is available for download from the EEA website.
Previous - November
Upload to this page
Add your photos, text, videos, etc. to this page.
