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 […]
EPA competition asks second-level students to consider the global impact of their everyday decisions – The Story of Your Stuff
“Now more than ever, we can’t lose sight of our power as individuals to bring about change,” says EPA Second-level students from across Ireland are asked to consider the global consequences of local actions as the EPA launches The Story of Your Stuff competition 2022. The competition asks students to think about the wider environmental […]
Vulnerability of Ireland’s drinking water supplies must be urgently addressed by Irish Water, says EPA
The quality of drinking water from public supplies is high, with over 99.7% of samples compliant with bacterial and chemical limits. At the end of 2020, 46 vulnerable water supplies – serving 1 million people – required significant works, with over half experiencing delays. Over 15,500 people were on boil water notices for longer than […]
Large decrease in air pollution from traffic in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions
While air quality in Ireland in 2020 was generally good there are worrying localised issues. Air pollution from traffic fell at all monitoring stations, particularly at urban roadside locations, as a consequence of reduced traffic volumes due to Covid-19 restrictions. However, Ireland was above World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guidelines for particulate matter (PM), […]
EPA publishes Green Public Procurement: Guidance for the Public Sector
Minister Ossian Smyth today launched the EPA’s revised Green Public Procurement: Guidance for the Public Sector at the EPA’s Circular Economy Conference 2021. Green Public Procurement is a process where public authorities seek to source goods, services or works with reduced environmental impact. Annual public sector purchasing accounts for up to 12 per cent of […]
The evidence is clear, global climate change means Ireland is warmer and wetter – EPA
Long term observations in Ireland provide important insights on the causes and consequences of Climate Change; Increases in atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide have been observed in Ireland, and reflect the increasing global levels of these key drivers of global warming; Global warming has resulted in Ireland’s climate becoming warmer […]
EPA statement on the publication of the IPCC Working Group 1 report
IPCC Report echoes key findings of EPA publications on Ireland’s projected greenhouse gas emissions For Ireland to transform to a climate resilient, biodiversity rich and climate neutral economy by 2050, there needs to be a significant and immediate increase in the scale and pace of greenhouse gas emission reductions Irish authors and scientists contributed to […]
Save €700 per year by taking simple steps to reduce food waste
The average Irish family will save €700 per year by taking simple steps to reduce their food waste. Vegetables, fruit and salad are the foods that are thrown out most often in the home. Ireland has committed to halving food waste by 2030. Scientists estimate that food waste produces up to 10 per cent of […]
Fixing septic tanks that fail inspection is a priority, says EPA
Over half (54%) of septic tank systems failed inspection in 2020. Three quarters of systems failing inspection since 2013 have been fixed, but failure to resolve older cases is a concern. Grants of up to €5,000 are available to fix systems. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released the report Domestic Waste Water Treatment System Inspections […]