Ireland’s ambition to move towards the health-based WHO air quality guidelines will be challenging, but will have a significantly positive impact on health
Ø Air quality in Ireland is generally good, however, there are concerning localised issues. Ø Ireland met all of its EU legal requirements in 2022, but it did not meet the more stringent health-based World Health Organisation (WHO) Air Quality guidelines. Ø It is estimated that there are approximately 1,300 premature deaths annually in Ireland due to poor air […]
Urgent action needed to improve Ireland’s household and commercial waste segregation and recycling performance – EPA
Over two thirds of wastes in general waste bins could have been placed in the recycling or organic waste bins. Food waste in commercial general waste bins is 30 per cent and in household general bins is 17 per cent. Plastics in the general waste bins are also significant for households (17 per cent) and […]
‘All we need is less’ – Zero Waste Europe demands urgent action on fashion frenzy stripping the planet off its finite resources
A new paper by Zero Waste Europe is demanding a concerted effort by governments to bring the fashion textile sector back in harmony with planetary boundaries, outlining a list of entry points for the transition towards sufficiency. The paper, entitled “A Zero Waste Vision for Fashion” examines the building blocks for a sustainable transition in […]
Reusable take-away packaging has significant potential to reduce carbon footprint vs single-use options
Reusable take-away packaging could present a compelling climate case over single-use alternatives if return and washing systems are properly implemented and optimised, according to a new study today from Zero Waste Europe, Reloop, and TOMRA. In nearly all types of packaging examined it found that reusable packaging can significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared […]
Registrations are open for the Big Beach Clean
150 groups and individuals already registered to join the World biggest clean-up with Irish environmental programme Clean Coasts and to be part of a citizen science project Clean Coasts, supported by Cully and Sully, is thrilled to announce the return of the Big Beach Clean initiative. The programme is asking participants to sign up to […]
Bord na Móna announces confirmed fledging of a Common Crane chick on rewetted peatlands for the second consecutive year following 300-year breeding hiatus
Increased breeding success and sightings of the Common Crane are a positive sign for further species growth in Ireland. Species sightings connected to habitat restoration through peatland rehabilitation in Ireland. Bord na Móna has today announced that a pair of Common Cranes have returned from their wintering grounds from abroad to one of Bord […]
Introduction of new environment levies will incentivise recycling and help Ireland meet our EU waste targets
The Minister of State with special responsibility for Communications and Circular Economy, Ossian Smyth TD, has signed new regulations to encourage recycling and reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill and incineration. The Waste Management (Landfill Levy)(Amendment) Regulations 2023 and the Circular Economy (Waste Recovery Levy) Regulations 2023 will both come into […]
Drinking Water Quality in Public Supplies report for 2022 – EPA
The quality of drinking water from public supplies remains very high, with over 99.7% of samples compliant with bacterial and chemical limits. 481,000 people are currently served by “at-risk” supplies on the EPA’s Remedial Action List (RAL), up from 374,000 people in 2021. Persistent THM (Trihalomethane) failures were detected at supplies serving 235,000 people, doubling the population […]
Nature Restoration Law passes final vote in EU Parliament, but ‘has been totally gutted’ – Wallace
Press Release on behalf of MEP Mick Wallace: Nature Restoration Law plenary vote outcome Following the vote on the EU Nature Restoration Regulation today, Wednesday 12 July, Mr Wallace said: “I’m pleased with the outcome of the final vote in the sense that the regulation lives to fight another day. In that sense […]
Ireland can be an energy powerhouse with green hydrogen potential from renewables
The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, has today welcomed the publication of the National Hydrogen Strategy. The strategy represents a landmark point in the development of a renewable hydrogen sector in Ireland. Ireland has the natural resources to become a world leader in the production of green energy. Our wind […]
