Solar for Schools Programme Commencement Announced
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD and Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, Ossian Smyth, have launched the commencement of the first phase of the Solar for Schools Programme. It will provide eligible schools with 6 kilowatts of roof-mounted solar PV, which equates to approximately 16 solar panels. The […]
Recycling rates slow as Ireland off track to meet key targets
· Ireland’s economy remains linear with waste generation continuing to rise. Recycling rates are not keeping pace with increasing levels of waste generation. · Ireland is off track to meet mandatory EU recycling targets set to apply from 2025 for municipal waste, packaging waste and plastic packaging waste. These targets are set to progress the circular economy […]
Climate Change, Cost of Living and Spending Top The Bill For Global Consumers – EY Future Consumer Index
Seven in ten (71%) consumers plan to delay purchases until festive sales events More than half (54%) consumers plan to spend less to save money Close to half (46%) of consumers very concerned about climate change Older generations more likely to recycle (63%) or use reusable bags (65%), younger generations more likely to check sustainability […]
EPA launches a National Air Quality Forecast
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has launched a national air quality forecast available on airquality.ie. The forecast will provide maps showing the predicted daily air quality for up to three days -“Today”, “Tomorrow” and the “Day after Tomorrow”. The air quality forecast is an important resource for everyone, but especially people who may be sensitive to poor […]
New EPA Online Portal provides full and open access to environmental enforcement information
· From today the EPA’s new LEAP Online portal enables easy access to environmental enforcement information providing full public access to our enforcement activities. · Through LEAP Online the public will be able to see information on site inspections, monitoring, incidents, non-compliances, complaint summaries and also compliance investigations into issues detected at EPA licensed sites. · LEAP Online […]
New low-cost Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme supported by Ireland and European Investment Bank
Government-backed €500 million scheme will encourage homeowners to invest in energy efficiency. Homeowners will be able to borrow from €5 000 to €75 000 on an unsecured basis for a term of up to 10 years at low interest rates. Ireland and the European Investment Bank (EIB) today reached an agreement that paves the way […]
Uisce Éireann must use its new investment plan to end pollution of our rivers and coastal waters from waste water
Over half of Ireland’s waste water discharges are not meeting EU standards set to protect the environment. Uisce Éireann has committed to eliminating raw sewage discharges by 2025 from the majority of the 26 towns and villages with no treatment. Uisce Éireann still does not have clear plans to prevent pollution at some of the […]
People in Ireland support climate policies, with some opposition specific to local concerns and issues
People in Ireland feel that ‘others’ – such as future generations or people far away – are more threatened by climate change than themselves in the here and now. This means that many people underestimate the immediate risks and already-occurring effects of climate change here in Ireland. The youngest adults (18-24 years) consistently exhibit significantly higher […]
“Urgent action needed to improve private drinking water quality”, says EPA
Private drinking water quality is not as good as public water quality The total number of small private supplies remains unknown as not all have registered with their local authority. Eighty four percent of registered small private supplies were monitored in 2022, compared with seventy five percent in 2021. The government review of the rural […]