April

Lough Boora Parklands shortlisted for major award

29/04/2011

Bord na Móna’s Lough Boora Parklands is in with a chance of becoming a European Destination of Excellence in association with Fáilte Ireland. This former industrial peatland has become a popular tourism destination in the midlands and has been short-listed to the final 3 applicants. On-site facilities include angling lakes, walkways and cycle paths, guided tours, bicycle hire and picnic areas.

Each year, the aim of the competition is to draw attention to the value, diversity and shared characteristics of European tourist destinations and to promote destinations where the economic growth objective is pursued in such a way as to ensure the social, cultural and environmental sustainability of tourism.

Past winners of the prize have included the Clonakilty District (2007), Carlingford and the Cooley Peninsula (2008), the Sheep’s Head Peninsula (2009), and Loop Head Peninsula (2010). This year’s theme was Tourism and the Regeneration of Physical Sites. Having survived a rigorous application process and being short-listed to the final 3 destinations, Lough Boora Parklands was inspected by judges and now awaits their final decision in May. For more information on Lough Boora Parklands, visit www.loughbooraparklands.com.

Source: Bord na Móna

Biodiversity Spraoi 2011

29/04/2011

Launched on 11th April 2011, the Biodiversity Spraoi and will run fortnightly for 3 months with 6 challenges to complete.

These challenges will encourage greater biodiversity and will help create awareness of the natural environment in your local area.

Each fortnight, the challenge will entail the following 3 elements:

• Biodiversity Action: Can be carried out in less than one day to make your garden, school or local area more biodiversity friendly.
• Biodiversity Bingo: 4 species will be selected each fortnight. If spotted, records can be submitted to the centre and you will be in with a chance to win a prize.
• Star Species: An 'interesting facts' sheet of a specially selected species will give an opportunity to learn more about some of our most interesting Irish species.

For full information visit the Biodiversity Spraoi website.

Source: National Biodiversity Data Centre

Farmers' Market Good Practice Standard 2011-2012 Awarded to 30 Farmers' Markets & Further Applications Invited

29/04/2011

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD announced this week the award of the Farmers' Market Good Practice Standard 2011-2012 to 30 farmers markets. The Minister said he was delighted to see the interest in the Standard. His Department and Bord Bia would welcome further applications up to 24th May. Application forms are available on the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Bord Bia websites. They may also be obtained from the Department's Food Industry Development Division.

Minister Coveney added that "There is a growing consumer demand for healthy foods that are locally produced. Research by Bord Bia shows that local food is now seen as food that is not mass-produced but is about small-scale production and hand-made produce. People wish to sustain their own local community and markets can connect small producers with consumers in a very direct way. Local food systems and farmers markets support the economy. We have a long tradition in Ireland of producing high quality safe food. Many small food producers and food entrepreneurs engaged in farmers markets draw on that heritage to revive or re-invent local traditions".

Farmers' Markets displaying the Good Practice Standard undertake to hold markets regularly, to stock a substantial proportion, ideally at least 50%, of local produce from the county or neighbouring counties, to accommodate seasonal and local garden/allotment produce and to promote compliance with food safety/labelling rules. Details of where and when farmers markets and country markets are held are listed on the Bord Bia website.

Source: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

RDS Energy Lecture Series: Energy Efficiency in the Home

28/04/2011

Thursday, May 5 at 7pm in the RDS Minerva Suite, Dublin

The next lecture in the RDS Energy Lecture Series will focus on ‘Energy Efficiency in the Home’. This lecture will provide an outline of the national retrofit programme and the level of savings on energy bills that can be secured through implementing some simple energy saving measures in the home.  Speakers will include Josephine Maguire, Programme Manager – Retrofit, SEAI, and Joe Durkan, Programme Manager – Smart Metering and Smart Grid, SEAI.

For bookings and information please contact 01 240 7214 or email industry@rds.ie.

Regional Seminar: Reduced Costs in Business through Improved Environmental Performance

28/04/2011

Enterprise Ireland and The Regional Management Office presents the Regional Seminar ‘Reduced Costs in Business through Improved Environmental Performance’ on Tuesday 10^th May, 9am-10pm, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Limerick. Some of the topics include waste prevention, green tech supports, and effective energy management and energy mapping.

Admission to the seminar is free of charge. For further information, please contact either:

Tom Lowry at tom.lowry@enterprise-ireland.com or 061-718300

Margaret Murphy at margaretm@limerickcoco.ie or 061-496596

National Water Event 2011

27/04/2011

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will host the National Water Event 2011 ‘Mobilising to Deliver Water Outcomes’ on 15^th and 16^th June in the Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill, Galway. The event will inform on a range of measures aimed at delivering improved water quality outcomes. A wide range of water topics will be covered at the event, including waste water regulation, drinking water regulation, delivering immediate outcomes for the environment, and diffuse pollution in addition to new developments in the area.

You can register for this event online at HOB Management before Wednesday 25^th May 2011. A programme for the event is available on the EPA website.

Repak Recycling Awards 2011: call for nominees

27/04/2011

The Repak Recycling Awards is celebrating its 10^th anniversary this year and are inviting nominees for this year’s awards, which will take place on 6^th October in the Convention Centre, Spencer Dock, Dublin.

The Repak Recycling Awards takes place as part of Repak Recycling Week (3^rd-7^th October) and recognises the efforts and ingenuity of its Member Companies, Local Authorities, Collectors and young people in the area of packaging prevention, reuse and recycling. The objective of the Repak Recycling Awards is to promote and encourage good recycling practice amongst industry, local authorities, waste contractors and our youth.

All applications must be submitted electronically to rps@repak.ie by 5pm on Friday 29^th April.

Teagasc launches nine Road Maps for Farming and Food Sector

27/04/2011

Teagasc Director, Professor Gerry Boyle, has launched nine new Road Maps for the Farming and Food Sector. The Road Maps outline the developments required for each of the main farming and food businesses to reach ambitious targets over the next seven years to 2018. The nine Teagasc Road Maps cover the areas of; dairy, suckler beef, pigs, sheep, tillage, forestry, horticulture, food and the environment.

The Road Maps are available to download from the Teagasc website.

Pledge your 'Act of Green' for Earth Day 2011: Friday, 22nd April

21/04/2011

Show your support for our environment and celebrate Earth Day, 22^nd April! The aim of Earth Day is to highlight environmental issues and encourage everyone to take action to ensure a healthy, sustainable future for our planet.

This year, everyone is encouraged to pledge an 'Act of Green' with the target of reaching a billion 'Acts of Green' worldwide! Enter your pledge online at www.act.earthday.org/, and see what steps others are taking to help our environment.

Why not read up on some of the challenges facing our environment in the ENFO section of this website, and see what you can do to promote a healthy environment in our Lights! Cycle! Action! page.

Earth Day was first celebrated on April 22^nd, 1970 as an environmental awareness initiative by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson. Following the 20^th anniversary of the first Earth Day of 1970, it became an annual event from 1990 and is now celebrated in almost every country in the world.

London Olympics 2012: first full sustainability report published

21/04/2011

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (Locog) has published its first full sustainability report for London 2012. The report analyses a range of sustainability challenges the committee confronted in 2010 and shows that Locog is on track to meet all of its sustainability targets, except the goal to provide 20% of its energy from renewable sources.  

A Blueprint for change shows the commitment of Locog to take environmental issues seriously for the games of London 2012. The full report is available to download from the Locog website.

'2011 Clare in Bloom' Competition Details Announced

21/04/2011

Community groups, tidy village groups and community development groups across County Clare have been invited to compete in the ‘2011 Clare in Bloom’ competition.

‘Clare in Bloom’, which continues to attract large entries every year, is a motivational mechanism for many locally based groups throughout the County to enhance the visual impact of their settlements by means of flower, tree and shrub planting.

The annual competition is promoted by Clare County Council and offers a prize fund. Sponsorship is provided by Shannon Development, Roche Ireland and ESB Moneypoint, with matching funding from Clare County Council.

The criteria for this year’s competition will be based on landscaping – range of planting –colour, waste prevention, minimisation and litter control, community involvement, energy initiatives and overall impression. Judging will take place from mid June to mid August.

The competition is based on three population categories. Category 1 caters for towns and villages with a population in excess of 700, Category 2 is for population centres of between 300 and 700 people and Category 3 features villages with a population less than 300.

Application forms are available from the Clare County Council’s Housing, Social and Cultural Services Section at 065 6846550 or www.clarecoco.ie. The closing date for receipt of applications is 4pm on Tuesday 31st May 2011.

Source: The Clare Herald

Laois Compost Awareness Week 2011: 26th-29th April

20/04/2011

This year's compost awareness week is a full action packed week from 26 to 29 April. 

Maeve Flynn, County Horticulturalist along with Ann-Marie Kelly, Environment Awareness Officer will be on hand to answer your queries regarding composting and wildlife gardening in Mountmellick, Mountrath and Durrow Libaries. 

Other events include a cookery demonstration in Jim's Country Kitchen and a Stop Food Waste talk on in the Parish Centre.

Full details can be downloaded from the

website.

First annual RJK Energy Symposium: 27th-29th April

20/04/2011

An international discussion platform to provoke debate on critical energy issues will take place at the first annual Robert John Kane (RJK) Energy Symposium from the 27^th April to the 29^th of April 2011 in Drumshanbo. Hosted by the Drumshanbo Forum Ltd., the symposium will act as the first stage of a three-part programme, generating tangible and productive ideas that will be embraced in the further development of the Lough Allen Basin Smart (LABS) Energy Hub.

The LABS Energy Hub is set to become a centre of excellence exemplifying energy economies of scale, with lasting benefits for the environment and rural communities, through the further development of renewable energy sources and the creation of new jobs. An Taoiseach Enda Kenny will be attending the event.

The main topics for debate will be Planning for Energy, Energy ICT, and Energy Tourism. Full details are available on the RJK Energy website. Please contact Gillian Coffey to register for the event at gillian@msbevents.ie or 087 795 5736.

Source: RJK Energy

IFA Farm Forestry Conference 2011: April 28th, Laois

20/04/2011

Minister of State, Mr Shane McEntee TD, will deliver the opening address this year’s IFA Farm Forestry Conference and launch the publication A Practical Guide to Establishing a Forest Owner Organisation.

The conference will take place on Thursday 28^th April at The Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. For full details of the day’s events, please see the IFA website or contact Geraldine O’Sullivan at 01-4500266 or 087-9385283.

97% of Irish Bathing Waters Meet EU Mandatory Standards

19/04/2011

The Minister for the Environment, Communities and Local Government Mr Phil Hogan TD has launched the EPA report The Quality of Bathing Water in Ireland – An Overview for the Year 2010.

Report findings show that the quality of Ireland’s bathing waters remains high, with 97% of designated bathing areas meeting the EU mandatory standards, and classed as being of ‘sufficient’ water quality status. In addition, 90% of bathing waters meet higher guideline standards and are classified as ‘good’ status. This is an 8% increase compared to the previous bathing season.

The summary report The Quality of Bathing Water in Ireland – An Overview for the Year 2010 along with a map of the quality of Ireland’s bathing water sites, are now available on the EPA website.

Source: EPA

EU Launches Consultation on Implementation Rules for ETS

19/04/2011

The Directorate-General for Climate Action of the European Commission has launched a public consultation on two forthcoming regulations related to the implementation of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) concerning monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gases (GHGs), accreditation of verifiers and verification of annual emission reports.

The consultation aims at obtaining the views of individuals and organizations on the relevance and possible impact of the proposed legislation. It is open until 10 June 2011.

More Information
EU Climate Change Public  Consultation on the EU ETS Monitoring & Reporting Regulation and EU ETS Accreditation & Verification Regulation

Source: Climate Change Policy & Practice

Governments agree on members for new Green Climate Fund

19/04/2011

Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) have agreed the selection of the forty members who will be entrusted with the task of designing the Green Climate Fund, the new institution which will manage long-term finance mobilized to enable developing countries to address climate change.

The selection of this Transitional Committee, which will prepare operational specifications for the fund in time for approval by the next UN Climate Conference in Durban, in December, was one of the first scheduled tasks for 2011 under the international Cancun Agreements.

The full Press Release is available on the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) website.

Source: UNEP

Green Awards 2011: winners announced

18/04/2011

The Green Awards 2011 ceremony took place on Thursday 14^th April, when 23 winners were recognised for their achievements and commitment to sustainability, promoting and developing environmentally friendly ideas.

There were more than 300 entries to this year’s competition and 130 finalists. Neil McCabe, a Dublin City Fire Fighter, was honoured as this year’s Green Leader award. His efforts have helped to make the world’s first carbon neutral fire station, while saving Dublin City Fire Brigade €50,000 a year through low energy and fuel bills.

Two new categories were also introduced this to this year’s Green Awards. The Green Corporate award was won by Intel, while Wellman International was announced as winner of the Green Waste to Business Resource Award.   A full list of winners is available on the Green Awards website.

10 Year Roadmap for Smart Grid Deployment in the EU

18/04/2011

EURELECTRIC, which represents the common interests of the electricity industry across Europe, has released its 10-Year Roadmap for Smart Grid Development in the EU. This “10 Steps” Roadmap identifies the necessary milestones towards implementing a smart grid power system.

Secretary General of EURELECTRIC, Hans ten Berge, introduced a paper on the roadmap during the EU Sustainable Energy Week in Brussels. Speaking at the event, he explained:

“Developing regulatory incentives for smart grid investments and market models, setting standards and ensuring data protection and testing through promising demonstration are the first steps to be made. These will also require facilitation at European level...DSOs [distribution system operators] will play and key role in the implementation of smart grids. However, the roll-out of smart grids will also require the full cooperation of consumers.”

The full paper is available for download from the EURELECTRIC website.

Science for Environment Policy, issue 237 available online

18/04/2011

The latest issue of Science for Environment Policy, issue 237, is now available online. Articles include:

• Renewable power sources could meet all global energy needs by 2050
• How regulation of innovation can lead to sustainable development
• Soil quality and crop yield decline under plastic tunnel
• Restoring Mediterranean forests with the Miyawaki method
• New framework for estimating agricultural emissions
• Can reserve networks protect coral reefs from climate change?

Dublin City of Science 2012: Call for Proposals

15/04/2011

Dublin City of Science 2012 will be a year long programme of events that will highlight the role and value of science in society. Dublin will be hosting the Euroscience Open Forum in July 2012 and organisers are looking for ideas to engage the general public with science during the year. The call for proposals will close on 30^th June 2011. For full details and submission guidelines, please see www.dublinscience2012.ie.

Irish charity brings solar power to Tanzanian school

15/04/2011

Cork based charity, Solar Without Frontiers, has installed a solar power system to supply a free, sustainable source of energy to a school in Tanzania. There are 500 pupils at the school, which also has a computer room that was set up with the help of another Irish charity, Camara.

Previously, the school was solely dependant on diesel generators for power, which was costly and did not meet the school’s energy needs. The school raised funds to purchase a solar power system, which now provides a reliable source of clean energy to the computer room and lights in the school.

Solar Without Frontiers was set up by a groups of energy consultants in Cork, with the aim of providing off-grid solar energy to disadvantaged communities in Africa.

Competition winners turn trash into cash

15/04/2011

The Department for the Environment, Heritage & Local Government has announced the winners of its rx3 ‘Trash to Cash’ competition for third level students to turn recyclable waste into new products, services or processes. Joint First Prize went to Nick Barker from Dublin for SKIP, a skipping rope made from recycled plastic bottles, and to Padraig Doyle, GMIT, Letterfrack for the Waste Share Chair made of Birch veneer sourced from spacers on pallets found in retail packaging waste.

Nick Barker and Padraig Doyle each received a prize of Eur1,250. Third Prize of Eur500 was awarded to Mark McGuinness, DIT, for Strapped For Cash, a wallet made from recycled car seat belts.

Currently, Ireland exports nearly 1,247,299 tonnes (or 73%) of the paper, plastics, glass, rubber, metals, clothing collected for recycling that could be turned into quality new products, services or processes here in Ireland. Other rx3 initiatives to stimulate markets in Ireland include funding for R&D and Feasibility Studies to be awarded in the coming weeks.

This, the second year of the Trash to Cash competition organised by rx3: rethink, recycle, remake, a Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government initiative, attracted entries from third level and post graduate students from all over Ireland.

Source: Environment and Energy Management

Rediscover: Eco Clothing Fashion Spring Show @ The Guinness Storehouse

14/04/2011

Venue - Guinness Storehouse, Arrol Suite, St James Gate, Dublin 8

Date - Thurs 21st April

Fashion Show - 6.30pm

Cost - €10

Award-winning Rediscover Fashion, Ireland's first eco-fashion label, will launch it's Spring Summer 2011 Collection at a fashion show in the Guinness Storehouse on Thursday 21st April at 6.30pm.

The theme for the show, presented by Brendan Courtney (RTE Presenter & Ireland's leading fashion expert) , is "A Stellar Romance". Guests will revel in a cosmic love affair of shimmering silvers and celestial blues showcasing this year's leading trends.

Guests to this event will be treated to a complimentary tour of the Guinness Storehouse, drinks reception, and will have the opportunity to purchase exclusive Rediscovery Centre furniture, fashion, accesories and eco-products.

For tickets, email rediscoverfashion@rediscoverycentre.ie or ring 01 8427848 as places are limited.

Source: Rediscovery Centre

Wind Delivers Record Energy Levels in Ireland

First Institute of Technology in Ireland Awarded Green Flag

Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD and Charles Stanley-Smith, Chairman An Taisce raises the Green Flag at the GMIT Campus in Castlebar with students and staff.
c. Michael Donnelly

13/04/2011

GMIT Castlebar is celebrating, as it is the first Institute of Technology Campus in Ireland to be awarded a Green Flag. The award follows three years of diligent work undertaken by students and staff since commencing the Green-Campus Programme in 2008.

The Green-Campus Programme is an international environmental education and award scheme that promotes long term, whole college action for the environment. An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD will raise the Green Flag at a special ceremony in GMIT Castlebar on Monday 11th April 2011.

The Green-Campus Programme, operated in Ireland by An Taisce, on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education has seen GMIT Castlebar establish an environmental committee and make substantial changes in waste, energy and water management.

Some notable achievements include: a 60% reduction in paper use, and diversion of a minimum of 12 tonnes of waste from landfill through recycling and composting. An estimated 72 tonnes per year of CO2 are being saved made through improved energy initiatives and water conservation measures are saving almost 1,000 litres of water per day.

Read more

Source: Irish Press Releases

Major new survey to map Ireland’s mammals

13/04/2011

The National Biodiversity Data Centre launched a new Atlas of Irish Mammals survey http://mammals.biodiversityireland.ie/ which aims to map the distribution of all mammals found in Ireland and its territorial waters between now and 2015. For the first time ever, Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, Bat Conservation Ireland, Irish Wildlife Federation, Biology.ie and some of Ireland’s leading mammal scientists have come together to collaborate on documenting the distribution of all 64 species of mammals that are known to occur in the Irish territory. This includes 27 species of land mammal, 10 bat species, 3 marine mammals and probably 24 cetacean (whales and dolphins). The National Biodiversity Data Centre is coordinating this network and providing an online portal and mapping system where this information is collated and presented in up to date distribution maps. Also shown is the distribution of over 45,000 mammal sightings made prior to 2010.

‘This is an exciting initiative as it brings together the main mammal experts and organisations so that their knowledge can be pooled to gain a full understanding of the distribution of all mammals in Ireland’, said Dr. Liam Lysaght, Director of the National Biodiversity Data Centre. ‘Although a great deal is know about some mammal species, and there are excellent schemes for collecting data on the bats and cetacean, information on other species, such as the Irish stoat and hedgehog is lacking. This initiative should fill the remaining gaps in our knowledge’, added Dr. Lysaght.

Members of the public are invited to submit online any sighting of mammals so that they can contribute to building up a comprehensive picture of where mammal species occur in Ireland. The survey will run until the end of 2015, by which time a comprehensive picture of the distribution of all Ireland’s mammals will be produced.

Access the website at http://mammals.biodiversityireland.ie/

Source: National Biodiversity Data Centre

Fingal Cleaner Communities Awards 2011

13/04/2011

Fingal County Council is delighted to announce the launch of the Cleaner Communities Awards for 2011. Fingal Cleaner Communities is a countywide competition aiming to make our county a cleaner, greener place to live. The Awards reward residents, community groups and businesses for their efforts in maintaining a litter-free and well presented community or place of business.

“We are now inviting entries to the Cleaner Communities Awards for 2011 and we would particularly welcome further new entries to the competition.” says Edwina Dunford, Environmental Education Officer, Fingal County Council. “We especially encourage local businesses to enter. We have a broad range of categories, so you can enter your home, your business, your housing estate or indeed even just part of your estate,” continued Edwina.

“The competition has been a great success since it started over thirty years ago and we want to make 2011 an even better competition,” says Edwina. “This is your chance to get credit for all the hard work carried out during the year, so I’d encourage all Fingallians to enter. If you’re not in you can’t win!!”

For an application form and full details of the competition, along with information and guidance, contact the Environmental Awareness Team, Fingal County Council, County Hall, Main St., Swords, Co. Dublin, 01-890 6236, cleanercommunities@fingalcoco.ie.

Source: Fingal County Council

Green Hospitality Programme Spring Workshops

13/04/2011

The Green Hospitality Programme is running a series of workshops around Ireland during April and May for its members and all interested parties.

Workshops will be run in the morning in 2 sessions - one for interested and new members and one for certified members.

 All members are urged to attend one of these workshops as this is an ideal opportunity to ask questions about the criteria/programme and find out about any changes to legislation, new suppliers and to network with other members.

Workshop Venues

• Waterford 13th April : Revolution Bar & Gastropub, 19 Johns Street, Waterford
• Cork 20th April : International Airport Hotel, Cork
• Dublin 4th May :TBC
• North East 5th May : T.B.C Belfast
• Carlow 18th May : T.B.C

To register at one of these FREE workshops, email info@ghaward.ie  or Tel: 021-435 4688 and speak to Mary - please identify what workshop you wish to attend.

Source: Green Hospitality Programme

EU Sustainable Energy Week: 11th-15th April

12/04/2011

The EU Sustainable Energy Week is taking place this week, from 11^th-15^th April 2011. Be part of this campaign to help promote energy efficiency and renewable energy by organising an Energy Day during Sustainable Energy Week. You could energise your local community or your work colleagues into following a sustainable energy lifestyle and raise the green credentials of your town or work place. Get lots of information and inspiration from the Energy Days 2011 flyer.

Events promoting sustainable energy in Ireland will take place in Cork, Galway, Dublin, Athlone. Full details are available on the EU Sustainable Energy Week website.

Government establishes Peatland Council

12/04/2011

The Government has announced that it is establishing an independent non-statutory Peatlands Council to respond to commitments set out in the Programme for Government and to assist Ireland in responding in a strategic way to the requirements of the EU Habitat’s Directive which require Ireland to protect and conserve important peatland habitats.

Mr. Conor Skehan has been appointed as Chair of the Council. Conor Skehan is a lecturer with DIT’s School of Spatial Planning. As a former Director of Bord na Móna he has experience of the peat sector. His consultancy experience in EIA and Habitats legislation gives him an overview of the legal and scientific issues which the Council will be dealing with.

The Chairman will begin dialogue with affected parties as quickly as possible.

Read more

Source: Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

First Global Clean Energy Progress Report

12/04/2011

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has released its first Clean Energy Progress Report, which assesses global deployment of clean energy technologies and provides recommendations to countries on future action and spending. The report finds that while impressive progress has been made in developing clean energy technologies in recent years, the success stories are being overshadowed by surging demand for fossil fuels, which are outstripping deployment of clean energy technologies.

Coal has met 47% of the global new electricity demand over the past decade, eclipsing clean energy efforts made over the same period of time, which include improved implementation of energy efficiency measures and rapid growth in the use of renewable energy sources.

In order to change this status quo, the IEA argues that more aggressive clean energy policies are required, including the removal of fossil fuel subsidies and the implementation of transparent, predictable and adaptive incentives for cleaner energy options.

The full report is available to download from the IEA website.

Read more

Source: Environment and Energy Management

Climate Change Film Screening: ‘In Transition’

11/04/2011

Transition Sandymount is presenting a local screening of the movie "In Transition" at 8pm on 19th April in Soil Mhuire, Gilford Road, Sandymount, Dublin. The film follows the stories of communities creating their own local currencies, setting up their own pubs, planting trees, growing food, celebrating localness, caring, sharing. Attendance is free of charge, but donations are welcomed.

England to Benefit From Over 500 Green Buses

ESB leads Euro 20 million fund in Irish wind energy

11/04/2011

ESB Novusmodus, a Euro 200 million tech fund, has announced it will lead a Euro 20 million investment in Irish wind energy developer, Wind Energy Direct (WED). The fund will enable the development of on-site wind projects to provide energy for heavy electricity users such as factories, hospitals and data centres.

The turbines will be built with up to 75MW of wind generation capacity and will reduce carbon emissions by up to 1500 tonnes of CO2 per annum per MW. The users will benefit, without any capital outlay on their part, from locked-in energy prices lasting five, ten, or fifteen years, which will provide price stability and break the link with inflation.

Michael Aherne of ESB Novusmodus said: "WED will allow Irish business to maximise the opportunity for auto-generation and for the exploitation of their wind and land resources with a well-funded, expert developer.

"Their offering represents an excellent economic and environmental proposition for large energy users at a time when we need to move from our over-dependency on fossil fuels."

WED will construct, own and operate the turbines and the project will create 10 new jobs and over 80 indirect jobs. The company plans to invest around Euro 100 million in total over the next three years.

WED managing director, Dominic Costello said: "The development of our pipeline of projects will lower energy costs for our customers, hedge them against the volatile energy market, and help reduce Ireland's emissions."

Source: Edie Ireland
 

IIEA - Denmark’s Renewable Energy Strategy and the Energy Positive Island: Lessons for Ireland

08/04/2011

Where: 8 North Great Georges Street, Dublin 1.
When: Apr 18th 2011 12:45 - 14:30

The IIEA is delighted to welcome two of Denmark’s thought leaders in the energy world, one of whom will provide a broad strategic overview of these developments and future plans, and another who will provide a fascinating case study with clear implications for Ireland.

About the Speech:

Denmark’s energy policy has been remarkable successful. When the first oil crisis struck in 1973 Denmark was almost entirely dependent on imported fossil fuels. Modern Denmark has been transformed into a leader in renewables and the most efficient user of energy in Europe. A new clean energy industrial cluster has emerged and Denmark is now a key player in energy technology, a sector which more than tripled its exports between 1998 and 2008.

The IIEA is delighted to welcome two of Denmark’s thought leaders in the energy world, one of whom will provide a broad strategic overview of these developments and future plans, and another who will provide a fascinating case study with clear implications for Ireland.

Source: Eurodiary

EU Sustainable Energy Week 2011

07/04/2011

The EU Sustainable Energy Week will take place from 11^th-15^th April 2011. Be part of this campaign to help promote energy efficiency and renewable energy by organising an Energy Day during Sustainable Energy Week. You could energise your local community or your work colleagues into following a sustainable energy lifestyle and raise the green credentials of your town or work place. Get lots of information and inspiration from the Energy Days 2011 flyer.

Ireland and France asked to protect their seas by EU Commission

07/04/2011

Ireland and France have been asked by the EU Commission to comply with EU legislation that requires Member States to introduce marine strategies to protect and restore their marine environments.

Europe’s seas are protected by the Marine Strategy Framework Directive 2008/56/EC, which aims to ensure the waters reach a high environmental status by 2020. However, neither Ireland nor France has informed the Commission about the introduction of the legislation into national law, which should have been in place by 15^th July 2010. If they fail to comply, the Commission may refer the matter to the EU Court of Justice and financial sanctions may be imposed.

Further information on EU Water Policy is available on the Europa website.

Launch of Sustainable Energy Awards 2011

07/04/2011

SEAI are holding the official launch of the Sustainable Energy Awards 2011 in the Sheraton Hotel, Athlone on Thursday 14th April 2011. These awards honour individuals and organisations that demonstrate excellence in the management and use of energy and are committed to more sustainable energy practices.

The competition is open to businesses and public organisations of all sizes. They are an excellent opportunity to get authoritative public recognition for organisational and individual effort in reducing energy costs and emissions. With energy performance now an increasingly visible factor in business excellence, these awards are a cherished indicator of achievement.

At this event SEAI will announce full details of the 2011 awards and also hear presentations from 2010 award winners, explaining the work and accomplishments that led to their success. A full agenda is available on the SEAI website.

Source: SEAI

Light saving energy device wins SEAI Innovation Award

06/04/2011

Energy entrepreneurs based at NovaUCD, the Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre at UCD, have won the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland’s (SEAI) inaugural Innovation Award announced on the opening day of the SEA Energy Show 2011. The winning product, the HIDLightSaver^TM, is the result of research into the costs associated with lighting and High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps found in street lighting, floodlit arenas, motorways and retail outlets. The Sustainable Energy Innovation Award winning product, the HIDLightSaver^TM was developed and manufactured in Ireland and will help organisations reduce their energy costs and associated carbon footprint by as much as 35% and the technology has the potential to generate savings of €14 million on street light running costs alone.

Read more

Source: SEAI

World Bank Launches e-Atlas of Global Development

06/04/2011

The World Bank has launched an e-Atlas, which provides an interactive tool that maps and graphs more than 175 indicators from the World Bank’s development database, including CO2 emissions, energy use, freshwater use, forest areas, marine protected areas and resource depletion.

Developed in collaboration with HarperCollins, the e-Atlas provides users with an instrument to map and chart economic and social indicators and compare country outcomes. Users can export customized, professional quality, full color maps and graphs. Other features include scalable maps, timeline graphing, ranking tables, and import and export functions for sharing data and graphics. Issues such as poverty, food production, population growth, climate change, international trade, and foreign direct investment are covered.

Source: Climate Change Policy & Practice

Conference: Developing Europe’s ocean energy hub, securing Ireland’s energy future?

06/04/2011

Energy Ireland will host the conference Developing Europe’s energy hub, securing Ireland’s energy future? at Thomond Park, Limerick on 12^th April. The wind and wave resources off the west coast of Ireland are acknowledged as having huge potential to play an important role in meeting Ireland’s renewable energy targets. This conference will explore the significant challenges around exploiting this potential and will examine the suitability of the Shannon Estuary/west coast region as an ocean energy hub.

A list on speakers and a pdf of the conference brochure are available on the Energy Ireland website. Registration details are included on the conference brochure.

Entries sought for RTÉ science show

The Mountain Poster

The Mountain Poster

The Mountain Poster

Enlarge image

05/04/2011

RTÉ Young Peoples is looking for applications for the second series of its science adventure show The Mountain. You can watch episodes of The Mountain here: http://www.rte.ie/trte/themountain/.

The Mountain is looking for teams of three children aged 11 or 12 on April 30th 2011. Participating teams will be required for one day and the series will be filmed on location in Carlingford, Co Louth, in May.

The Application Form and Terms & Conditions can be downloaded from the website: http://www.rte.ie/trte/themountain/. The closing date is Monday April 11th 2011.

For more information contact The Mountain at themountain@rte.ie or at 01 208 3186.

Source: RTÉ

Irish company produces nutrient booster for honey bees

05/04/2011

Beemune Ltd is a new Irish company that has developed an essential nutrient booster for honey bees. The company is targeting this new product at large honey bee markets in the US, Australia and New Zealand.

As Colony Collapse Disorder, which has left landscapes of empty beehives across America, is an increasing threat to the bee keeping industry and our food supply, the improved health and vitality that this nutrient booster will bring to bee colonies will be welcomed.

The company was formed by NUI Maynooth researcher Dr Kevin Kavanagh, and two entrepreneurs David Moody and Rosaleen McGuckin. They were funded by Enterprise Ireland

Report on UN’s Carbon Emissions Published

05/04/2011

The United Nations (UN) has published a report on the greenhouse gas emissions for its 52 institutions. Moving Towards a Climate Neutral UN was prepared by the UN Environmental Programme (UNEP) and is part of the Organisation’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.

The report gives a breakdown of all UN carbon emissions. More than 50% are the result of air travel, which makes staff movement the Organisation’s biggest challenge. Buildings account for 37% of emissions, while vehicles account for 13%. The report also provides a progress update on the implementation of the UN’s Climate Neutral Strategy, which was approved in 2007.

Commenting on the UN’s work to raise awareness of climate change on the international agenda, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon writes in the forward to the report:

“Such work has a natural complement in our in-house drive to reduce the UN’s own carbon footprint. What we demand of others, we must do ourselves.”

Moving Towards a Climate Neutral UN is available to download from the UN website Greening the Blue.

Chartered Institute of Waste Management AGM & Conference: 28th April

ENVIRON 2011: ‘Towards 2020: Environmental challenges and opportunities for the next decade’

04/04/2011

This year’s Irish Environmental Researchers’ Colloquium (ENVIRON 2011), the largest gathering of environmental researchers in Ireland,   will take place from Wednesday 6^th April, to Friday 8^th April at University College Cork (UCC). The theme is ‘Towards 2020: Environmental challenges and opportunities for the next decade’. Discussion topics will include: Water Quality, Climate Change, Biodiversity & Ecosystem, Marine & Coastal Research, Environment & Health, Environmental Management, Environmental Technologies, Energy, Society & Economy.

The full delegate fee for the conference is €250, with a student fee of €100. A one day registration fee of €150 is also available. A full programme of events is available on the Irish Environmental Network website.

Plans for renewable energy wave project begin

04/04/2011

ESB International (ESBI) has applied for foreshore exploration licences to develop a 5 Megawatt wave energy project off the west coast of Ireland. The licences will allow ESBI to conduct marine surveys and resource measurements at two locations, Killard Point, Co Clare and the Achill Area, Co Mayo.

The proposed project, named the WestWave project, aims to generate an initial 5MW of electricity from wave energy by 2015. The licence application has been submitted to the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (DEHLG) and the surveys are expected to take between one and two years to complete.

The WestWave project will seek funding under the EU NER300 programme and from domestic grant sources. NER300 is a funding programme which aims to encourage private sector investors and EU Member States to invest in commercial low-carbon demonstration projects. It will also seek support under the Republic of Ireland REFIT tariff for wave energy. The Irish Government's strategy is to generate 500MW from ocean energy by 2020.

Source: edie Ireland

Science for Environment Policy: issue 235 available online

04/04/2011

The latest issue of Science for Environment Policy, issue 235, is now available online. Articles include:

• Public not equipped to manage personal carbon emissions
• Coastal protection: costs and benefits of managed realignment
• Gaps identified in current understanding of ocean fertilisation
• Ecological trap for the pine processionary moth
• Cost-effective risk acceptance criteria could reduce tanker oil spills
• Possible changed in EU livestock density over next 20 years

Get involved in this year's National Spring Clean!

01/04/2011

Have you signed up for this year's National Spring Clean?

This annual anti-litter event starts today 1st April and continues until the 30th April. Last year more than half a million people got involved by organising a clean up of their local area. The theme for this year's event is 'Working Together - For Our Community'.

Everyone is encourage to get involved and participation is open to all members of the community, from individuals, schools and community groups to businesses and local clubs.

You can register your event online at www.nationalspringclean.org. Once registered, you will receive a free clean-up kit from An Taisce. Included are tips on organising your spring cleaning event, posters to promote it, tips and ideas on how to make your event fun and different, and plenty of materials such as recycling bags for use during your event.

There is also lots of information on Waste Management in Ireland and tips on Reducing Waste Going to Landfills on www.enfo.ie to encourage you and your team of 'spring cleaners' this April. 

Screening of the film 'Colony': National Botanic Gardens

01/04/2011

The National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin, Dublin will host a screening of the film 'Colony' this Sunday, 2nd April, as part of 2011 The Year of the Honey Bee celebrations.

This film explores the unexplainable phenomenon known as Colony Collapse Disorder that has left landscapes of empty beehives across America, threatening not only the bee keeping industry but our food supply as well. As scientists and beekeepers search for the cause, Colony captures the struggle within the beekeeping community to save the honeybee and themselves.

Time: 2.30pm

Source: National Botanic Gardens

New EC Regulation on end-of-waste metals

01/04/2011

The European Commission (EC) has introduced an end-of-waste Regulation by the Waste Framework Directive with the aim of stimulating recycling markets in Europe.

In the past, there has been a lack of clear criteria regarding end-of-waste materials resulting in diverse regulating frameworks across Member States. The new Regulation sets down clear criteria for iron, steel and aluminium scrap. These metals, if deemed clean and safe by a quality management system, no longer need to be classified as waste.

This new Regulation will enter into force after publication and will be applicable to all Member States after a 6 month transition period. The EC is currently preparing criteria for other materials that are important to the EU recycling markets, such as copper, paper, glass and compost. The ultimate aim of the Waste Framework Directive is to make Europe a recycling society with an effective waste management system.

Further details are available on the EC Waste website.