August

Landfill levy increases from 1st September

31/08/2011

New measures under the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which was approved by Minister Hogan last week, will see an increase in the levy for waste going to landfill from €30 to €50 a tonne from 1^st September. The levy will continue to increase over the next two years, with a €15 rise on 1^st June 2012 and a further €10 rise on 1^st June 2013. The legislation aims to make sending waste to landfill uneconomical and to force companies to improve their recycling.

Minister Coveney launches major international 3-day Environmental conference

30/08/2011

During a visit to the Timoleague Agricultural Catchment area in Co. Cork , the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, launched a major 3-day international conference entitled ‘Catchment Science 2011’, which will take place at the Mansion House in Dublin from 14 and 16 September 2011.

Minister Coveney will make the opening address at the conference, which will be jointly hosted by Teagasc, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in the UK. The conference will feature the findings of the work carried out during the past 4 years by the Agricultural Catchments Programme. This Programme is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and operated by Teagasc who are working closely with more than 300 farmers that are voluntarily participating in the Programme nationally. The Timoleague catchment is one of six agricultural catchments established under the Programme, varying in area from 600 ha to 2,500 ha and representing the main agricultural landscapes, soil types and farming enterprises in the country.

Source: Irish Government News Service

Will your city be Europe's Green Capital?

30/08/2011

Does your city deserve European-wide recognition for its hard work in meeting the environmental challenges our society is facing? Should your city be considered a leading destination for green tourism and green industry in Europe?

Applying for the 2014 edition of the European Green Capital could help your city gain the green reputation it deserves. Participating in the competition is a unique opportunity for your city to become an example at a European level and an ambassador for a better and greener world – just look at Hamburg, European Green Capital 2011. And what’s more, being awarded the Green Capital title can not only bring great advantages to your city’s image but also help boost its economy and attract tourists.

Applications for the next edition of the award will close on 14 October 2011. Make sure your city is Europe’s Green Capital 2014!

Information for mayors and city administrators that whish to apply are available on the Green Capital website.

Source: European Commission

Volunteers for Irish Wetland Bird Survery welcomed

30/08/2011

The Irish Wetland Bird Survey (I-WeBS) monitors Ireland’s wintering waterfowl populations and their wetlands. The survey is carried out by both professionals and amateurs from September to March, and as the new survey season begins, new participants are welcomed. If you are able to identify and count wintering waders and other waterbirds, or would like to learn from another participant, please contact BirdWatch Ireland’s I-WeBS Coordinator Helen Boland at hboland@birdwatchireland.ie.  

Entries for 2012 RDS Primary Science Fair

29/08/2011

The call for entries for the RDS Primary Science Fair is now open and primary schools across Ireland are invited to visit www.rds.ie/primarysciencefair to submit an expression of interest to participate in the 2012 Fair.

Open to 4^th, 5^th and 6^th class (ROI) and Key Stage 2 (NI), the RDS Primary Science Fair provides an opportunity for students to think about science in practical, fun ways. Successful schools will be invited to exhibit on one day of the RDS Primary Science Fair which takes place from January 12 – 14, 2012 as part of the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition. 

Entries can be submitted until October 5, 2011.

Ireland’s biggest community owned windfarm

29/08/2011

A wind energy development co-operative in Co. Clare has received planning permission from An Bord Pleannalla to construct the largest community owned wind farm development in Ireland and one of the biggest in Europe. West Clare Renewable Energy Ltd. (WCRE) plans to begin construction of the windfarm consisting of 29 3MW wind turbines on the western slopes of Mount Callan, a 391-metre high mountain located between Ennis and Miltown Malbay.

The company says the €170 million project will be capable of generating enough electricity to power every home and business in County Clare. The community-based scheme is also expected to provide up to 200 jobs during the construction phase of the project and in excess of 50 long term jobs as the project develops to its full potential.

Source: Irish Press Releases

National Heritage Week 2011: 20th-28th August

20th-28th August

National Heritage Week 2011 is taking place this week (20th-28th August) with over 1,400 events planned nationwide.

Events include night time bat walks, medieval fairs, classical music and poetry recitals, pirate adventures, treasure hunts, face painting, story telling, wildlife walks, craft workshops, local historical walks, coastal events, and archaeological digs - there really is something for everyone and most events are free.

National Heritage Week provides a great opportunity for all the family to get out and about and learn more about our built, cultural and natural heritage, and above all, to have fun!

A list of events is available on the National Heritage Week website.

'KidWind' teacher training course launched

26/08/2011

The Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA) and the Gaelectric Group have launched a new course called KidWind. This training course for both primary and secondary teachers aims to enhance their knowledge and understanding of Ireland’s renewable energy reserves so they can teach their students about the benefits of wind energy and the potential for a clean energy future.

KidWind has been very successful in the USA and will assist KidWind in Ireland, which held its first training course in Dundalk from 15^th-19^th August. The Irish training programme takes place over five days and covers theory and practical wind energy topics. It is primarily aimed at teachers of science, mathematics and geography, although it teachers of other subjects may also attend.

Further information is available on the IWEA website.

West Clare Renewable Energy Ltd gets permission to build Ireland’s biggest community owned windfarm

26/08/2011

A wind energy development co-operative in County Clare has now received planning permission from An Bord Pleanála to construct the largest community owned wind farm development in Ireland and one of the biggest in Europe.

West Clare Renewable Energy Ltd. (WCRE) now plans to begin construction of the windfarm consisting of 29 3MW wind turbines on the western slopes of Mount Callan, a 391-metre high mountain located between Ennis and Miltown Malbay.

The company says the €170 million project will be capable of generating enough electricity to power every home and business in County Clare. The community-based scheme is also expected to provide up to 200 jobs during the construction phase of the project and in excess of 50 long term jobs as the project develops to its full potential. As more projects such as this are progressed over the coming years, those 300 construction jobs are likely to also become permanent. The scheme will also sustain the 30 farm families on whose land the project is to be built.

Commenting on receiving planning approval for the project, WCRE chairman and Clare-based entrepreneur Padraig Howard said he was delighted and relieved on behalf of the company and the thirty farm families who have “invested heavily in this iconic renewable energy project for Clare, the largest of its kind in the County since the development of the Ardnacrusha Hydroelectric Power Station”.

Source: Irish Press Releases

Record Entry for Tidy Towns Competition

25/08/2011

This year’s TidyTowns competition is more competitive than ever with a record number of entries received. Volunteers in communities throughout the country have been busy improving their towns, villages and local environment and will be eagerly anticipating the announcement of the TidyTowns winners at the National awards ceremony on 5 September, in the Helix theatre inDublin.

This year communities were encouraged to ‘Get Your Hands Dirty for TidyTowns’ in a promotional campaign by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and SuperValu, who sponsor the competition. The response to this call has been overwhelming with a record 821 communities entering the competition – an increase from 764 entries last year.

Phil Hogan, TD, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, comments: “The TidyTowns competition has been a positive in Irish life for more than 50 years. I’m delighted that it continues to flourish and that interest in the competition has grown again this year. It is heartening to see so many communities who have responded to these challenging times by pulling together, getting out there and getting things done.”

Source: Environment & Energy Management

Tellus Border Project gets underway in Donegal

25/08/2011

A new geological survey of the six border counties has begun this month in Donegal. The Tellus Border Project involves mapping, taking soil, sediment and water samples with the aim of better managing natural resources. Samples will also be taken from Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth between now and Christmas.

This is an EU funded project and is a continuation of the Tellus Project in Northern Ireland that took place between 2004 and 2007. Full details are available on the project website.

All-Island Conference on Energy Efficiency and Job Creation: 1st September

24/08/2011

On Thursday, 1 September, the European Commission Representation in Ireland will host the first ‘All-Island Conference on Energy Efficiency and Job Creation’ at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dundalk, Co. Louth. The Conference will focus on making the most of energy efficiency initiatives, creating jobs in that sector and the potential for boosting the economy.

The Conference will be chaired by Barbara Nolan, Head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland who says: "Energy efficiency is one of EU's key objectives, as it aims to make the EU 20% more energy efficient than it was in 2005 by 2020. This Conference is about examining Ireland's role in achieving this target and the potential for job creation in the sector.We believe that investment in energy efficiency measures can boost the economy and create jobs as energy efficiency is one of Europe’s fastest growing sectors with an annual turnover of €319billion."

Key themes for discussion at the Conference will include case studies of successful initiatives and what the government, companies and public authorities are doing to tap into the potential this sector holds.

Key speakers at the Conference will include the Minister for Energy, Pat Rabbitte TD; Duncan Stewart, Environmental Architect and Presenter; Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness, Giovanni De Santi, Director of the Institute for Energy and Transport at the European Commission; John Fitzgerald of the ESRI; and Padraig McManus, CEO of the ESB.

Further details of the programme and speakers at the Conference can be found on the website of the EU Commission in Ireland.

Source: EU Commission in Ireland

Big Ideas 2011: 10th October

24/08/2011

‘Big Ideas’ has become the key event in the Irish technology commercialisation calendar. This year’s event will take place in Dublin’s new world class Convention Centre on Monday 10th October 2011

The event will showcase the latest collection of eighteen investment opportunities, each with its own merits and business potential. These ideas are the culmination of years of research by some of Ireland’s finest researchers. Their research is solving real problem and creating real opportunities.

For these 18 presenters, the event focuses on securing investment and identifying business partners that will bring their technologies to the next stage of commercialisation. To this end, one-to-one meetings can be pre-booked with the presenters.

For gurther information on the event, please contact Declan Mcgee at declan.mcgee@enterprise-ireland.com, or see the Big Ideas 2011 website.

Source: Enterprise Europe Network

EPA Climate Change Lecture Series: Lecture on Tyndall

23/08/2011

The next in the EPA Climate Change Lecture Series will be held on Tuesday 27^th September 2011 in The Mansion House, Dawson Street, from 6-8pm. Professor Richard Somerville, University of California San Diego, will present a lecture on ‘Tyndall: His Work and Scientific Heritage’.

Professor Somerville is an expert meteorologist and is well known for his writing on the communication of environmental issues, including Climate Change. His book ‘The Forgiving Air – Understanding Environmental Change’ is widely regarded as a benchmark for clear and accessible communication of complex environmental issues. He will present this lecture as part of the celebration of the 150^th anniversary of the publication of Tyndall’s ground-breaking work on greenhouse gases.

Attendance at the lecture is free of charge, but advanced booking is essential. Please contact clara@claraclarke.ie with ’27 September’ in the subject line to reserve a place.  

Further information on Tyndall and his work is available in the Irish Scientists section.

ERP Electric Picnic Earth Ship Stage

23/08/2011

ERP (European Recycling Platform), Ireland’s only pan-European compliance scheme for electrical and electronic waste and waste battery recycling, is launching esteemed artist Christy Collard’s new ‘Earth Ship’ Stage at Electric Picnic.

The Earth Ship Stage was inspired by the New Mexico self-sustainable desert dwellings of the same name. It is built from environmentally friendly, recycled materials and will be adorned with electrical waste, waste batteries and other discarded materials of society. The Earth Ship Stage will host sustainable talks and workshops, eco fashion shows, zero waste food demonstrations and ‘recycled music’. It will be powered by electricity generated by bicycles, and aims to act as inspiration for the important role of sustainability and environmental awareness in our everyday lives.

New greener bioplastic developed

23/08/2011

The Barcelona-based research institute IRIS have developed a new bioplastic for making recyclable food packaging. This new bioplastic is based on whey protein, a by-product of cheese production, which recent studies shows is air tight and water resistant.

They whey collected from cheese-making facilities is filtered and spray dried to extract the pure whey protein. Several thin layers are then used to create the plastic film for food packaging. It is also easy to recycle, as the whey protein dissolves in water with the help of protein. In contrast, traditional non-renewable plastic takes hundreds of years to break down.

It is hoped that this new technology can be used on an industrial scale over the next two years to produce biodegradable food packaging.  

CER Launches New Framework for Price Comparison Websites

22/08/2011

The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) has launched a new system for accrediting websites that compare energy suppliers’ gas and electricity prices. Under this new framework, a website providing an energy price comparison service will only be accredited by the CER if it meets defined standards, for example in terms of its accuracy and reliability. This will help provide energy customers with the confidence to use these websites, assisting them in “shopping around” for the best tariff deal.

Information on energy supplier switching can be found at the CER’s www.energycustomers.ie  customer website.

Source: CER

Scottish Offshore Wind Projects Set to Invest £30 Billion by 2020

All-Ireland Whale Watch Day: 31st August

19/08/2011

Sunday 31^st August is All-Ireland Whale Watch Day. The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) will be hosting free, guided land-based whale watches at thirteen sites along the coast between 2pm and 5pm.

The event has been organised in order to raise awareness about the 24 different cetaceans along the Irish coast. Guides will show people how to observe and identify these magnificent marine mammals.

All are welcome to attend one of the free guided whale watches and should bring binoculars. Please contact your local organiser for details. Contacts are available on the IWDG website.

Boeing Completes Flight Tests For New ‘Green’ Aircraft

19/08/2011

Boeing has announced that it has completed all flight tests required for type certification of its 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft with Rolls-Royce engines. Testing first began in 2009 and the final flight finished on Sunday 14th August 2011. 

The new jetliner is designed to be more sensitive to the environment. It has greater fuel economy, longer range, reduced maintenance cost and a quieter engine. New technologies used in the design include composites, more-electric systems, advanced aerodynamics and the latest advancements in propulsion.

Over 800 of the aircraft have already been ordered and the first deliveries are expected to take place in September.

Kids Go Green With a New Game and a Mission to Save the Earth

18/08/2011

Mission Earth is a new game that has been designed by teenagers for families to enjoy together – and with each roll of the dice, there is a lesson about carbon saving to be learned. Mission Earth is the brainchild of a group of teenage girls from Oxfordshire.

So inspired was the design that games company, Gibsons, decided to commercially produce it, taking the principles and where possible applying them to manufacture. Made in the UK, the new game has a unique board that folds up to become the box so reducing packaging and waste. It is the carbon that can be saved by the children who play with it however, that could really make a difference, as they naturally adapt to a greener more eco friendly way of life.

Mission Earth is a race to save the planet. The scene is set in the year 2259 where players witness what earth might look like in the future unless we all act now. Moving along the board and taking their message back to earth is the principle, with the addition of question and action cards that will make the players think!

The aim is not just to be the first to get back to earth; but to lose all of your carbon tokens along the way. As players move, they select cards that will determine how many carbon tokens they will collect or lose during the game.

Source: Environment & Energy Management

Ten White-tailed Sea Eagle Chicks Released in Co Kerry

17/08/2011

A batch of ten young White-tailed Sea Eagles has been released in Killarney National Park, Co Kerry as part of a Reintroduction Programme that is managed by the Golden Eagle Trust. The aim is to re-establish a self-sustaining breeding population of sea eagles in the south-west of Ireland, as the species has been absent from Ireland for 110 years.

The Reintroduction Programme has encountered setbacks as nineteen birds have been found dead over the past four years. This new batch of chicks was donated by the Norwegian Wildlife Authority and brings the total number of reintroduced birds to Ireland to 100 over a five-year period.

Course: Summer Planting for Winter Eating

17/08/2011

Sonairte Ecology Centre in Co Meath will run a one day workshop on ‘Summer Planting for Winter Eating’ on 20^th August, from 10am to 4pm. Participants will learn about winter garden polytunnels, protected cropping with fleece, film and greenhouses, and what vegetables can be planted outdoors for the winter.   The cost of the workshop is €60 and registration is available on the Sonairte website.

Three new wind farms for the Midlands

17/08/2011

An €18 million wind farm co-development deal has been signed between renewable energy group Gaelectric and the Chinese energy company XEMC VWEC (16^th August). The agreement will result in the development of three wind farms at sites in Westmeath, Offaly and Roscommon by the middle of next year. The combined energy generated will be 13.6 MW, which will power up to 6,500 homes.

Calor Gas Announce New Home Energy Grant

16/08/2011

Calor Gas has announced a new Home Energy Grant for its customers that will run alongside the Government’s Better Energy retrofitting programme that was launched in April of this year. This follows last month’s decision by The Commission for Energy Regulation to support a 22% increase in Bord Gáis prices.

The Home Energy Grant is worth up to €1,000 for new customers. Full details are available on the company website.

Although there are over 600,000 homes in Ireland that cannot access the natural gas network, Calor Gas will offer delivery of the gas to a bulk storage tank at rural homes.

GPP Example- Sustainable energy supplies in County Waterford

16/08/2011

Waterford County Council is implementing GPP as part of a broader move towards sustainable development across its policies. The city has prioritised focus the well-being and health of citizens, infrastructure for transport, water, waste and wastewater management and sustainable production and consumption of energy and food.
 
The city has made estimated savings of 2 million kilograms of CO2 per annum by replacing electricity from non-renewable sources with electricity from renewable sources. The potential of localised renewable energy installations is also being harnessed in Waterford, with the installation of a number of micro wind turbines at remote water treatment plants, with the capacity to generate 7,000 kwh/annum each.
 
The electricity generated by these turbines will be used on site and will displace imported electricity from the grid. Heat pumps, wood pellet boilers and solar water heaters have also been installed in local buildings and in social housing.

Download the GPP example - Sustainable Energy Supplies in County Waterford.

Further GPP examples are available on the European Commission website.

Source: EU GPP News Alert

Europe's largest straw bale buildings take shape

16/08/2011

The first straw bale wall panels have now been installed at Inspire Bradford Business Park in England, a £4m commercial property development. Once the installation is complete, the two structures will feature 260 prefabricated straw bale wall panels making them Europe’s largest straw bale panel constructed buildings.

In total, over 4,000 traditional straw bales have been used to form the prefabricated wall panels that have been installed. The panels have been assembled by carbon-negative building products manufacturer ModCell at its mobile facility in Dewsbury. The ModCell system works by utilising the thermal insulation qualities of straw bale and hemp to form wall and roof panels that can be quickly and efficiently installed.

The business park is being constructed on a brownfield site close to Eccleshill Community Hospital in the east of Bradford and the two straw bale panel buildings will total 2,787 sq m and will house 14 serviced offices and 14 managed workspaces. Available offices will range in size from 10 sq m to 38 sq m and the work spaces will be 64 sq m with a 34 sq m mezzanine floor.

The two buildings will be built according to the latest sustainable construction standards to achieve a BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating. Other sustainable features of the business park include a ground-source heat pump and a rainwater catchment reservoir which will supply lavatories and water for plants within the building. Photovoltaic cells in the roof will also create energy whilst wooden fittings and carpets will be made from recycled material.

Source: Environment & Energy Management

Offshore wind farms promote biodiversity

15/08/2011

A recent study by Dutch researchers has found that offshore wind farms have little negative effects on wildlife, and may even be beneficial to marine animals. This conclusion was reached following the study of a wind farm near Windpark Egmond aan Zee, a large scale wind farm off the north coast of the Netherlands.

Professor Han Lindeboom from IMARES (Institute for Marine Resources and Ecosystem Studies) said there was very little evidence of disruption to the local wildlife.

"At most, a few bird species will avoid such a wind farm. It turns out that a wind farm also provides a new natural habitat for organisms living on the sea bed such as mussels, anemones and crabs, thereby contributing to increased biodiversity. For fish and marine mammals, it provides an oasis of calm in a relatively busy coastal area."

However, the study also recognised that the turbine blades may impact on some bird species and that the effect wind farms have will vary according to their location. The report recommends that wind farms be constructed in areas that will have minimal impact on wildlife.

'Adopt a Road' Litter Reduction Programme: Galway

15/08/2011

Galway County Council intends to introduce an ‘Adopt a Road’ Litter Reduction Programme which will be available to businesses and groups to participate in.

Expressions of interest are now being invited from businesses or groups who wish to take part in this programme.

The ‘Adopt a Road’ programme will give businesses or groups the opportunity to assist in the effort to reduce litter and its associated problems by arranging for the gathering of litter from agreed road verges. For this work free advertising (in the form of signage) which highlights the business or group’s efforts in the area of litter reduction will be erected on the adopted section of road.

This programme benefits the company or group through the advertising it gains from the signage and by showing its commitment to the environment. The County benefits from regularly maintained road verges.

Full details of this programme are available from the Environment Section Galway County Council 091-476402.

Source: Galway County Council

Millennium Stadium Becomes UK’s First Sustainable Event Arena

Natural Gas Vehicles Conference: November

12/08/2011

The Natural Gas Vehicles Conference will take place on Thursday 17^th November at Croke Park, Dublin. The conference is free to attend and will examine the benefits of Compressed Natural Gas (CMG) as a viable alternative transport fuel and the potential for developing the natural gas vehicle market in Ireland. A panel of Irish and international speakers will lead the discussions.

Speakers at the conference include:

• Manuel Lage, Chief Executive, Natural Gas Vehicles Association of Europe
• Ron Jibson, CEO & President, Questar and Incoming Chairman, American Gas Association
• Denis Twomey, Commercial Manager, Bord Gáis Networks
• Juan Angel Terrón Alonso,Director of Engineering, Municipal Transport Company of Madrid
• Mattias Svensson, Swedish Gas Centre
• Annette Hughes & John Lawlor, DKM Economic Consultants

Full details are available on the event website.

Move to develop global standards for energy use in buildings

12/08/2011

Efforts to establish international standards for measuring energy use in buildings have received a boost, after the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) decided to consider an innovative tool developed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to gauge energy consumption and CO₂ emissions in homes and offices across the world.

The Common Carbon Metric (CCM) - developed by UNEP's Sustainable Buildings and Climate Initiative - could form the basis for a new international standard for measuring the environmental performance of existing buildings. The ISO - the world's largest developer and publisher of international standards, covering 162 countries - will develop relevant methods.

The Common Carbon Metric is intended to create a uniform system for defining the climate impact of buildings through a consistent protocol, which can, in turn, help develop international baselines for use by architects, designers and the construction industry.

Today, the building sector is the single largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions with about one third of global energy use taking place in offices and homes. Moreover, building-related CO₂ emissions are set to rise from 8.6 billion tones in 2004 to 11.1 billion tones in 2020.

Read the full Press Release on the UNEP website.

Source: UNEP

RIO +20 Stakeholder Consultation

11/08/2011

The UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from 4-6 June 2012.

This major conference is being hosted by the Government of Brazil to mark the 20th anniversary of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), in Rio de Janeiro, and the 10th anniversary of the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg.

The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government is the lead Department in coordinating Ireland’s contribution to the Conference. Organisations and individuals are invited to contribute to a consultation document on the themes of the Conference from an Irish perspective.

You can forward your response to email: RIOPLUS20@environ.ie , or Environment International and Sustainable Development Section, Department of Environment, Community and Local Government by close of business on Wednesday 21 September 2011

Please note that all submissions and comments submitted to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government for this purpose are subject to release under the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003.

The full press release is available on the website of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.

Source: Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

Ireland's first green astro-turf pitch from recycled trainers

11/08/2011

This year the Lifestyle Sports Adidas Trainer Scrappage Scheme has partnered with two innovative Irish companies, Thornton Sports and Replay Sports to deliver a project which is both, Irish and sustainable. All the trainers collected for recycling will go into making Ireland's first, environmentally friendly, green astro-turf pitch. This is a unique initiative which has not been carried out in Ireland until now.

Drop off points for trainers are based in 64 participating Lifestyle Sports stores across the country.

To date Replay Sports has collected 12,000 shoes, roughly equal to 4.2 tonnes of rubber that would have been destined for landfill and these will be turned into a shock pad for an astro turf pitch. The target is is to collect 18,000 trainers!


Replay Sports are also giving clubs the opportunity to get rewarded for recycling their sports equipment. Replay Rewards is a club based program that provides a points based system rewarding clubs and communities who engage in better sustainable practices such as recycling.

Here's how it works:

• Once your club registers you will receive your clubs recycling membership identification.
• Each time a container is picked up from your club you will receive points outlined in the rewards system.
• Remember the more you recycle - the more points you build up - the greater the opportunities your club has to save on new gear!

Source: rx3

Bizcamp Galway - 10th September

11/08/2011

Bizcamp Galway is a one day conference organised by entrepreneurs, with entrepreneurs. It will take place on 10^th September at NUI Galway.

This is an opportunity for start-ups in new businesses to meet other entreprensures and learn from each other. Bizcamp is run on a voluntary basis and has a panel of speakers lined up for the event. Presentations will be 20 minutes long, followed by a 10 minute open discussion. Topics include adapting your business, innovative marketing, product design, pricing, sourcing finance, stress management and social networking.

If you are interested in speaking at or attending the conference, you can register on the Bizcamp Galway website.

New water project could supply 50% of Ireland's water

10/08/2011

Irish landowner and peat suppliers Bord na Mona is in negotiations to create a new water reservoir to provide drinking water for Dublin and the surrounding areas.

The Euro 540M Water Supply project, aims to take water at peak flow from the River Shannon to fill the reservoir, which would have the capacity to supply water to Westmeath, Offaly, Laois, Kildare and Meath. If successful, the reservoir will mark Ireland's first new major source of water in decades and could have the potential to supply 50% of Ireland's water.

Director of strategic infrastructure for the Water Supply Project, Colm O'Gogain, said Ireland's growing population and economy is behind the significant need for a new water supply.

Under the plan, water would be stored in Garryhinch cutaway bog near Portarlington, Co. Laois in a reservoir which will cover more than 700 acres. The water would then be transported from the reservoir by pipe to the capital and the surrounding regions.

Bord na Mona, which owns the bog and has expertise in wind power, said if planning approval for the project is granted it plans to connect the reservoir, where the water will be treated, to a new wind farm to power the site.

It is anticipated the project could create up to 1,000 jobs during the construction phase and employ more than 100 new staff to maintain and operate the park.

Source: edie newsroom

Free workshops for Green Hospitality Programme

10/08/2011

The Green Hospitality Programme is running a series of free workshops for members in August who want to achieve the eco-label this year.

These hands-on working workshops will explain the eco-label criteria in detail and support the members in completing the paperwork required to apply for the eco-label

Attending one of these workshops will also fulfil one of the mandatory criteria - attending a GHP training event/workshop.

These workshops are a bonus and will enable members to access all the benefits of Green Hospitality and enable you to market your business through the new GHP consumer website and other national & international websites.

Book your place today on the workshop nearest to you. Each workshop takes place from 10am to 1pm.

• 17th August: Calyton Hotel, Galway
• 18th August: Brooks Hotel, Dublin
• 24th August: River Lee Hotel, Cork
• 25th August: Riverbank House Hotel, Wexford

Contact info@ghaward.ie to reserve your place.

Source: Green Hospitality

Sea2Sky Galway - European Researchers' Night 2011

09/08/2011

On Friday 23^rd September, Ireland will host its first European Researchers' Night in the Galway Atlantaquarium, Salthill, Galway. Sea2Sky is a free, one day celebration of science and is open to all ages. It is an opportunity to discover laboratories, research centres, and museum collections that are usually closed to the public. Scientists will introduce the most recent technologies and instruments, and the public will have the chance to take part in experiments and competitions. There will also be exhibits on marine science, atmospheric science and astronomy.

In the lead up to the event, organisers are running an art competition for 8-18 year olds. Entrants should design a new Research Vessel for the Sea2Sky scientists for the year 2040. Full details of the competition are available on the Sea2Sky website.

Sea2Sky is funded under the European Union’s Marie Curie Programme and Discover Science & Engineering.

Energy Users Seminar: 6th October

09/08/2011

Energy Ireland, in association with the Irish Institute of Purchasing and Materials Management (IIPMM) is running a one day seminar examining key aspects of the Irish energy market on Thursday 6th October at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry, Dublin.

The seminar will examine how market developments impact on the large energy user sector. The objective of the seminar is to give those involved in buying and managing energy an understanding of the key drivers in energy prices, their impact on businesses and organisations and how energy can be managed more efficiently within organisations in order to reduce the final energy bill.

The event is open to any individual or company and places may be reserved by registering at www.energyireland.ie or by emailing bookings@energyireland.ie.  Full details of speakers and the programme of events is available from the Energy Ireland website.

Major Scientific Discovery on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

09/08/2011

The Irish-led VENTuRE scientific expedition aboard the national research vessel RV Celtic Explorer has discovered a previously uncharted field of hydrothermal vents along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge – the first to be explored north of the Azores.

The mission, led by Dr. Andy Wheeler of University College, Cork (UCC), together with scientists from the National Oceanography Centre and the University of Southampton in the UK, NUI Galway and the Geological Survey of Ireland, returned to Cork on August 4th from an investigation 3,000 metres below the surface of the sea using the Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Holland 1.

Hydrothermal vents, which spew mineral-rich seawater heated to boiling point by volcanic rock in the Earth’s crust below, are home to a rich variety of marine life that thrives in complete darkness on bacteria fed by chemicals. The investigation was supported by the Marine Institute under the 2011 Ship-Time Programme of the National Development Plan and by the National Geographic Society, who filmed the work for inclusion in an upcoming National Geographic Channel series, “Alien Deep,” premiering globally in 2012.

The full press release is available on the Irish Marine Institute website.

Source: Irish marine Institute

Towards a New National Waste Policy

08/08/2011

The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Mr. Phil Hogan T.D., has published a discussion document for public consultation concerning the development of a new national waste policy.

The Programme for Government commits to putting in place a national waste policy that will adhere to the EU waste hierarchy and deliver a coherent approach to waste management, minimising the waste going to landfill and maximising resource recovery.

The discussion document now being published has been prepared against that background. It is designed to promote discussion and debate and to provide an opportunity for all interested parties to input into the development of a policy framework that will shape our approach to waste management for the next decade and beyond. 

Waste Policy Discussion Document 2011

The discussion document and further information is also available on the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government's website. The consultation period will close on Friday 30 September 2011 and it is intended that the finalised policy will be completed by end-2011.

Recycling company to create 65 new jobs in Wicklow

08/08/2011

The Envirogreen Recycling company, based in Tyrone, plans to create 65 new jobs during the next year, with the country's first recycling service for mattresses in Co. Wicklow. The new service will collect old mattresses from households and recycle all parts of each mattress using a mattress dismantling machine, designed by an Irish firm.

Major Water Conservation Works approved for Limerick

08/08/2011

Mr. Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government has approved Limerick County Council’s proposals to carry out extensive water mains rehabilitation works in the County at an estimated cost of €3.065 million.

The Council intends to carry out work to replace 22.865km of watermain along with 624 associated new individual services at an estimated cost of €3.065 million. Common backyard services will also be replaced in accordance with the relevant Departmental Circulars. The Council’s priorities for water mains rehabilitation are to enhance the water quality, prevent mains failure, identify service pipe defects, improve pressure and flow, reduce interruptions to supply and address leakage and operational serviceability.

Further information is available on the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government 's website.

Minister Hogan Approves €2.5 million Funding for Waterford Water Mains Rehabilitation Project Phase 1

05/08/2011

Mr. Phil Hogan,  T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government announced yesterday that he has approved funding to allow Waterford County Council proceed with water mains rehabilitation works in the Ballyhane and Ballyduff/Ballylemon Water Supply Schemes.  The works, which will be done by Direct Labour, form part of the Council’s Water Mains Rehabilitation Project, Phase 1, and is being financed under his Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010 - 2012.  The estimated cost of the works is just over €2,536,000, 90% of which will be funded by the Department.

Source: Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

New Irish Standard for Carbon Monoxide Alarms

05/08/2011

Energy Minister Pat Rabbitte has welcomed the publication of a new fast-tracked de facto Irish Standard for Carbon Monoxide alarms. This Standard is the result of urgent work over the past year by a number of gas industry experts under the auspices of the Gas Technical Standards Committee of the National Standards Authority of Ireland.

“This is very good news”, said Minister Rabbitte. “It means that, in future, people will be able to buy these alarms in the confidence that they will work properly, provided the alarms purchased comply with this new standard and have been properly installed.Taken together with sensible precautions when installing or using fossil fuel burning appliances, this development should ensure greater protection for people from the effects of carbon monoxide.” Minister Rabbitte added.

Source: Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resourses

Final group of red kites released in Co Wicklow

04/08/2011

Yesterday afternoon, 3^rd August, a group of thirteen red kites were released in Co Wicklow. This marked the final release of the project to re-introduce these native birds of prey to Ireland, which have been absent for over 200 years. This brings the total number of red kites released in the country to 120 since 2007.

The reintroduction of the red kites is managed by the Golden Eagle Trust in partnership with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Welsh Kite Trust. This year, there have been at least seventeen young birds from Wicklow nests.

A number of videos of red kites in flight may be viewed on the Golden Eagle Trust website.

EU wind power to triple by 2020

04/08/2011

A report published by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) on Tuesday (2^nd August) outlines its scenarios for onshore and offshore wind power in the EU. The ‘Pure Power’ report states that wind power within the EU is expected to triple by 2020, making a large contribution to Europe’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions as well as shifting away from fossil fuels to more secure, renewable power source.

Wind power is expected to increase energy production from 5.5% of total demand in 2010 to 15.7% of total demand in 2020. This would equate to the total electricity consumption of all households in France, Germany, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom together.

The ‘Pure Power’ report is available to download from the EWEA website (pdf link).

Photography Competition: 'Nature in the Urban Jungle’

03/08/2011

The Environmental Science Association of Ireland (ESAI) invites entries from interested individuals to participate in the sixth ESAI photography competition.

To celebrate the prestigious, international Euroscience Open Forum conference to be held in Dublin, the City of Science 2012 , from 11-15th July, 2012, the theme for this year’s competition is: “Nature in the Urban Jungle”. Entrants are encouraged to interpret the theme as they see fit.  

Entries are welcome from all amateur photographers and will be assessed on the basis of picture quality, composition and the appropriateness of the caption.

Please download the Entry Form and Terms & Conditions from the ESAI website.

First prize:    

• €250 voucher sponsored by the Environmental Research Institute.
• Professional framing of the winning entry  
• One year membership of ESAI

Two runners up will each receive a one year membership of ESAI.

The closing date for entries is Friday December 30^st 2011. The winner will be notified by email on Friday January 27^th 2012.

Source: ESAI

August: National Watch Scrappage & Recycling Month

03/08/2011

The Retail Jewellers of Ireland (RJI) have declared August ‘National Watch Scrappage & Recycling Month’, as they join with WEEE Ireland in a major recycling drive. Through this recycling initiative, RJI members will offer a 20% discount off participating brand watches when customers bring in their own watch for recycling.

For further information about the watch recycling scheme and to find participating RJI shops in Ireland, visit the RJI website. For details on recycling all electrical goods, please visit WEEE Ireland’s website.

Hogan Announces Pilot Fix Your Street Initiative

03/08/2011

Mr Phil Hogan T.D., Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government today (2nd August, 2011) announced plans to begin a pilot website, www.fixyourstreet.ie which will assist residents in South Dublin County to report issues with local services and allow the Council to respond within two days. This initiative is in line with a commitment in the Programme for Government.

The pilot of Fixyourstreet.ie will see South Dublin County Council deploy a publicly accessible web site with associated mobile technologies which will record non emergency issues such as graffiti, road defects, street lighting, illegal dumping and drainage.

Once established, the pilot will run for a period of three months whereby technologies will be tested in a live working local government environment.  It is envisaged that reporting of issues will be accepted via the web site, through email, twitter, and coming shortly mobile phone apps for the most popular mobile platforms.

Key to the implementation of Fixyourstreet will be a commitment that ‘local officials will respond within two working days’.  In this regard residents will be able to monitor the response and interact with their issue once it has been reported through the system.

Source: Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

Treaty To Restore Ozone Layer Delivers Massive Climate Protection

03/08/2011

International ozone negotiators meeting in Montreal last week approved country plans to phase out ozone-depleting substances (ODS) which are also super greenhouse gases (GHGs) harmful to the global climate. By 2015, the reductions approved last week will prevent more than 62 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (CO2e) emissions.

From July 25-29, negotiators at the Multilateral Fund, the financial body established to help developing countries to meet their commitments under the Montreal Protocol, assessed ODS phase-out plans submitted by dozens of countries including China, Brazil, Indonesia and Mexico.

Countries converting from ODS have traditionally chosen to convert to high global warming potentials (GWP) hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), chemicals which do not harm the ozone layer but are super GHGs with GWP hundreds to thousand of times greater than CO2. Developed countries which have already phased out ODS have switched to high-GWP alternatives in about 75 per cent of cases. However, at last week’s meeting, many phase-out plans which proposed to convert to HFC-410A and other high-GWP alternatives were either revised or rejected.

“The rejection of phase-out plans that proposed the use of high-GWP alternatives signals that the Montreal Protocol is committed to protecting climate,” said Mark W Roberts, EIA International Policy Advisor, who attended the meeting. “The world is finally recognising that there’s simply no reason to fund transitions to super greenhouse gases when environmentally responsible alternatives are available.”

Source: Environmental Investigation Agency

‘Games Theory’: driving greener behaviour with Olympic Games

02/08/2011

In the lead up to the Olympic Games 2011 in London, businesses across the UK have been urged to ‘nudge’ people to adopt greener behaviour pattern. ‘Games Theory’ is a new guide that provides 19 principles for seizing the opportunity to change environmental behaviour at any large scale event. These principles are based on research from previous large-scale sporting events.  

It argues that the Games have four main attributes for encouraging environmental behaviour change: the spectacle that grabs viewers attention, the sense of camaraderie promoted by teams, the feelings of optimism that are generated, and the 'halo effect' that the Olympics' brand has for associated initiatives and sponsors.

David Stubbs, head of sustainability for the London 2012 Organising Committee, said the Games offers an unprecedented opportunity to drive environmental behaviour change.

Source: BusinessGreen

Science for Environment Policy: issue 250 available online

02/08/2011

Science for Environment Policy, issue 250, is now available online. Articles include:

• Biodiversity loss: prevention is cheaper than cure
• New models to access developmental toxicity for REACH
• Pesticides: possible link to male infertility
• Three-quarters of world’s energy supply could be renewable by 2050
• Fragmented pine woodland boosts Mediterranean biodiversity
• Energy policy should consider health implications