EPA calls for urgent measures to tackle packaging waste
Ireland generated over one million tonnes of packaging waste in 2020, for the fourth year in a row. Ireland is continuing to achieve high levels of recycling for glass (84%), paper/cardboard (78%) and metal packaging (71%). Plastics present a serious challenge. Only 29% of plastic packaging waste was recycled in 2020, a long way off […]
EPA data shows Ireland’s 2021 Greenhouse Gas Emissions above pre-Covid levels
Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions increased by 4.7 per cent in 2021 compared to 2020 and are now 1.1 per cent above 2019 pre-COVID restriction levels. Emissions from the Energy Industries sector increased by 17.6 per cent in 2021, driven by a tripling of coal and oil use in electricity generation. Agriculture emissions increased by 3.0 […]
EPA Greenhouse Gas emissions projections highlight the need for urgent implementation of climate plans and policies
EPA Projections data indicate that: Total greenhouse gas emissions are estimated to have increased by 6 per cent in 2021. Planned policies and measures, if fully implemented, could deliver up to 28 per cent (4 per cent per annum) emissions reduction up to 2030. Ireland can comply with its 2030 EU emissions reduction target only […]
New EPA Radon maps show more homes and workplaces at risk from cancer-causing gas
The EPA has published new radon maps for Ireland that update the radon risk assessment for the country. 170,000 homes in the country are now predicted to be at risk from radon. This is an increase of 45,000 homes from the previous estimate in 2002. Radon is a cancer-causing radioactive gas, and every year in […]
EPA publishes Guidelines on the information to be contained in Environmental Impact Assessment Reports
The EPA has published updated Guidelines for preparing Environmental Impact Assessment Reports (EIARs) for projects covered by the EIA Directive. The Guidelines are a statutory document that should be regarded by those preparing EIARs and the decision makers considering the EIARs. These guidelines should improve the quality of EIARs, making the overall process clearer and […]
EPA Climate Change Lecture Series – The Role of Communications in Driving Climate Action
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is delighted to welcome Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz, founder and Director of the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication and a Senior Research Scientist at the Yale School of the Environment. The public lecture will take place on Thursday 28th at 7:15 pm at the EPIC Museum Dublin and will also […]
‘The story of tissues’ video claims top prize in the EPA’s The Story of Your Stuff 2022 competition
A video exploring the environmental lifecycle and impact of tissues has won the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) The Story of Your Stuff 2022 competition. This year’s competition attracted over 200 entries from schools across the country, as well as the highest number of Irish language entries to date. The winning entry was created by Wong […]
EPA statement on the publication of the IPCC Working Group 2 report – Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability
This IPCC Report highlights the interlinked threat posed by climate change for human health ecosystems and biodiversity. The roles and benefits of planned adaptation in reducing climate exposure and vulnerability are highlighted in the report, as well as the need to avoid short term adaptation responses which could – in the longer term – amplify […]
EPA survey shows climate change remains the most pressing environmental issue facing Ireland
For the 4th year in a row, climate change is seen as the most pressing environmental issue facing Ireland. 86 per cent of adults agree that the environment is a valuable asset to the people of Ireland. Four in five adults found that having a clean, unpolluted environment and access to nature or the environment […]