Bathing water quality remains high overall, but heavy summer rainfall is putting pressure on our beaches
Bathing water quality in 2023 was high overall, with 97 per cent (143 of 148) of sites meeting or exceeding the minimum standard, the same number as in 2022. 114 bathing sites (77 per cent) had excellent water quality, down from 117 in 2022. The number of beaches with poor bathing water quality increased to […]
Record-Breaking Return Day: Irish Consumers Bring Back Three Million Plastic Bottles and Cans in One Day
Average Daily Returns Surpass 2.37 million in May as return rates continue to increase Over 100 million Drinks Containers Returned as Scheme Reaches Major Milestone Return numbers are steadily rising each week with people now returning millions of bottles and cans every day – Ciaran Foley, CEO Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme continues to achieve new […]
Biodiversity Week 2024 – time to connect with nature
More than 200 events over 10 days to celebrate nature and biodiversity Ireland’s nature and wildlife will take centre stage from 17-26 May, with over 200 events scheduled across the country for National Biodiversity Week . As well as highlighting the importance of biodiversity, National Biodiversity Week is also about experiencing the fun, enjoyment and spectacle of the nature […]
Climate Change Advisory Council Annual Review 2024 – Electricity Sectoral Review
The Climate Change Advisory Council has said that much more urgent action is required from Government if Ireland is to meet its 2030 electricity capacity targets and stay within the electricity sectoral ceiling. The Council, which published its Annual Review of the electricity sector today, has warned that Ireland’s renewable electricity generation remains significantly below […]
Ammonia emissions down one per cent in 2022, however further reductions needed to protect health and the environment
Ireland’s ammonia emissions decreased by one per cent in 2022. Despite this, Ireland remains non-compliant in 2022 with our EU Emissions Reduction commitment for ammonia. The decrease in ammonia emissions reflects lower pig and poultry numbers, an increase in low emission slurry spreading and use of inhibited urea fertiliser on farms. Compliance with the EU […]
New low-cost loan scheme makes home energy upgrades more affordable and a key part of Ireland’s energy transformation – William Walsh, CEO of SEAI
Ireland is one of the most fossil-fuel dependant countries in Europe and this must change if we want a cleaner and healthier future. It means all of us across society, in communities, businesses, in how we travel and in our homes, playing our part in Ireland’s transition away from fossil fuels. Energy and climate action […]
EPA report shows low uptake of Green Public Procurement in government department contracts
Of €922 million spend by government departments on contracts in 2022, 34 per cent included green criteria. The increase in the use of green criteria (10% in 2021, 34% in 2022) is encouraging but still at a low level. All government departments must improve their implementation of Green Public Procurement and purchase more resource-efficient and […]
New low-cost Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme launched
– Government-backed €500 million scheme will support homeowners to invest in energy efficiency – From today, homeowners can borrow from €5,000 to €75,000 at significantly lower interest rates to make their homes warmer and cheaper to run Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath, and Minister of State […]
Repak’s recycling research highlights a damaging gap in recycling knowledge among Irish residents
· Only 34% of Irish residents strongly agree they understand how to correctly recycle · Repak launches a new campaign, Don’t Waste Earth Day, to encourage everyone, from consumers to commercial businesses, to sort and separate their packaging properly this Earth Day Ahead of Earth Day, Repak has unveiled research* pointing to a critical gap […]
Communities across Ireland come together to celebrate the launch of the 25th #SpringClean24
As the National Spring Clean celebrates 25 years, An Taisce is calling on communities to come together and tackle Ireland’s litter problem to protect biodiversity and help fight climate change! April 2nd marks the official launch of The National Spring Clean 2024! To date there have been over 3,100 registrations nationally, but registrations will remain open […]
