January

Third Call for Proposals: Interreg Atlantic Area Programme

31/01/2011

The BMW Regional Assembly announced details of the upcoming Third Call for Proposals under the Interreg Atlantic Area Programme at an Information Seminar in the offices of the European Commission in Dublin last week (25^th January). A total funding package of €23m will be available under the next call for transnational project development in the areas of maritime safety, marine renewable energies, co-operation between public transport providers together with transport services provided through ports and by shipping companies. The call is set to open on February 14th with a closing date for applications of April 30th 2011.

For further details, please contact Mr Gerry Finn, Director, BMW Regional Assembly at 094-9862970.

EPA Climate Change Lecture : Tuesday 31st January

31/01/2011

The second lecture in the current series of EPA Climate Change Lectures will take place tomorrow evening, Tuesday 31^st January from 6.30pm – 8pm at The Mansion House, Dawson Street, Dublin 2. Prof. Julia King of Aston University, will present the topic Climate Change – The Transport Challenge. Attendance is free, but advanced booking is essential. Please contact Clara Clarke at 01-2898533 or email clara@claraclarke.ie for bookings.

Science for Environment Policy, issue 226 available online

31/01/2011

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

• Proactive policy needed to manage nanowaste
• Survey explores what public really want from public transport
• Safety of deep carbon storage needs careful site selection
• Waste incineration ash could prove a valuable resource
• Do strict speed limits really reduce traffic emissions
• How effective is the Forest Stewardship Council certification scheme?

SolarPrint makes building sensors self-sufficient

BioBlitz 2011 - 5 parks announced!

28/01/2011

Biodiversity Day will be celebrated on May 22^nd and Biodiversity Ireland have announced that   it is marking the event by organising a 24 hour BioBlitz.

BioBlitz is a scientific race to find as many species as possible within 24 hours. Scientists, students and the general public are all encouraged to take part in this exciting event to learn more about the variety of life that shares Ireland’s environment.

BioBlitz will take place at five locations around Ireland and all will be in direct competition to find the most species! They are:

• Ballycroy National Park, Co Mayo
• Dromore Woods, Co Clare
• Killarney National Park, Co Kerry
• Raven National Nature Reserve, Wexford Wildfowl Reserve
• Liffey Valley Park, Waterstown, Dublin 20

ECO-UNESCO Sustainable Development Course

27/01/2011

ECO-UNESCO is enrolling for its FETAC Level 5 Sustainable Development Course beginning on January and February 2011. The evening course starts on Thursday 27^th January and the Intensive 3-day course on the 18^th February and is suitable for anyone who wants to gain a broad knowledge on sustainable development; Education for sustainable development methods and learn about sustainable communities and more. Evening classes will take place from 6.30pm-9pm and the day classes will take place from 2pm-7.30pm. Please contact education@ecounesco.ie or phone 01-662 5491 for details.  

TH!NK5 Water competition

27/01/2011

Following the completion of the TH!NK4 Climate Change competition, an appropriate offshoot of the topic is the TH!NK5 Water competition. Journalists, students and bloggers are invited to use the competition’s online platform to share their thoughts on water and everything surrounding it, as World Water Day (22 March 2011) approaches.

The European Commission will sponsor 20 winners to participate in a water themed reporting trip to Lisbon, Portgal in April 2011. The competition starts on 17^th January and finishes on 22^nd March.

TH!NK ABOUT IT is a series of blogging competitions organised by the European Journalism Centre.

2011 Call for Proposals under Intelligent Energy - Europe (IEE)

27/01/2011

The European Commission has launched the 2011 call for project proposals under the Intelligent Energy – Europe (IEE) funding programme. €57 million are available to co-fund projects that facilitate the widespread use of renewable energy and help realise Europe’s energy saving potential.

The projects funded under the Intelligent Energy – Europe programme are designed to help the EU stay on track with regard to its energy and climate change targets for 2020. About 50 projects are expected to receive funding. The call runs until 12th May 2011.

For full details, please see http://ec.europa.eu/energy/intelligent/.

Source: Environment and Energy Management

90% of working computers destroyed in recycling plants

26/01/2011
 

Green Week 2011

06/01/2011

The 11th edition of Green Week, the biggest annual conference on European environment policy, will take place from 24 to 27 May 2011 in Brussels. This year's theme is "Resource Efficiency - Using less, living better".

What is resource efficiency?

Over some 40 sessions, the conference will address the problem of resource depletion and scarcities, the challenges and opportunities in becoming more discerning and resource efficient, and showcase public and private strategies contributing to the shift towards a resource-efficient and low-carbon economy.

Green Week offers a unique opportunity for debate and exchanges of experience and best practice. Over the past decade, the conference has established itself as an unmissable event for anyone involved with protecting the environment. The 2010 edition attracted some 3,400 participants from government, business and industry, non-governmental organisations, academia and the media.
The 2011 programme and practical information will be available on the Green Week website shortly.

Green Week is open to the public and participation is free of charge.

Green Week also has an area for exhibitors. To apply for a stand, please read the application guidelines and submit a completed application form to the mailbox address indicated in the guidelines by 1 March 2011.

Source: European Commission - Green Week 2011

Immediate changes to EU research and innovation funding

25/01/2011

Yesterday (24th January 2011) the European Commission has adopted measures to make participation in the EU's current Seventh Framework Programme for Research more attractive and more accessible to the best researchers and most innovative companies, especially Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). Based on the simplification plan unveiled by the Commission in April 2010, these measures will take effect at once.

The Commission adopted three concrete measures with immediate effect on the management of EU research grants in the current EU research programme (FP7). Each of these steps responds to concerns repeatedly expressed by participants and would-be participants in FP7:

• - Allowing more flexibility in how personnel costs are calculated so that EU research grant-holders can apply their usual accounting methods when requesting reimbursement for average personnel costs. They will no longer need to set up entire parallel accounting systems just for this purpose;

• - SME owners whose salaries are not formally registered in their accounts can now be reimbursed, through flat-rate payments, for their contribution to work on research projects.

• - A new steering group of senior officials from all the Commission departments and agencies involved will remove inconsistencies in the application of the rules on research funding.

For full details please see the Europa website.

Source: EU Press

 

Youth Exhibition on Biodiversity

25/01/2011

Life, Camera, Action! is a a multimedia exhibition, which brings together the best images of biodiversity submitted by young people around Ireland. It will be on public display throughout January and February in the ground floor of The Greenhouse, Andrew St., Dublin and admission is free.

Last chance to put your birds in the Bird Atlas 2007-2011

24/01/2011

There are just a few weeks remaining to submit records for the winter fieldwork period for the Bird Atlas 2007-2011. BirdWatch Ireland is calling on all birdwatchers to send in their bird sightings to help fill in the remaining gaps in the coverage. Known as ‘Roving Records’ your bird sightings will help to compile detailed species lists for 10km squares, which will help to produce the Bird Atlas 2007-2011. Records of all birds, both rare and common, are important.

Details on how to submit bird sightings may be downloaded from the BirdWatch Ireland website.

EWaste Recycling Wins International Innovation Award For Irish Charity

Science for Environment Policy, issue 225 available online

24/01/2011

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

• Causes of the 2007-2008 global food crisis identified
• Composting needs more recognition in CDM
• The contribution of transportation of household goods to emissions
• Updated assessment of aviation’s impact on the atmosphere
• Air pollution and climate change: shich has greater health impacts?
• Choice of method for measuring carbon footprint can affect the result

City dwellers 'greener' than those living in rural areas

21/01/2011

Scientists at the Centre for Systems Integration and Sustainability at Michigan State University with collaborators in the US and China have shown that city dwellers with good jobs are more likely to lead environmentally friendly lifestyles than those living in the countryside.

The researchers found that this group of people were encouraged by their colleagues and companies they work for to take part in green initiatives, such as recycling and volunteering with environmental organisations. Living in an urban area, this group of people are more likely to be threatened by environmental problems. The study also showed that those living in larger cities showed much stronger pro-environmental behaviour than those in small cities.

The research paper was published in the January 16^th edition of the British Journal of Environmental Conservation.

Essence of the Coast – Photographic Exhibition at Galway Atlantaquaria

21/01/2011

A photographic display of the winners of the Clean Coast Photography & Coastcare Merit Awards will go on show at Galway Atlantaquaria. from 26th January to 10th February 2011. An Taisce launched the Clean Coast Photography Competition in June as part of the An Taisce Coca-Cola Clean Coast Week. The theme of the competition was “Essence of the Coast - What the Coast Means to Me” and with a prize fund of 3,000 euro it attracted huge interest from Ireland’s amateur photographers. The winning photographs will be exhibited in various locations around Ireland over the coming months and will go on show in January at the aquarium from 26th January to 10th February 2011.

Kevin O’Hara, Aquarium Manager said “we are delighted that the aquarium was chosen to host this display. We’ve already had a preview of the photographs and there are some fantastic shots taken from all around the coastline.”

Speaking about the photography competition, Annabel Mc Loone Blue Flag & Green Coast Awards Manager said, “there were over 500 photographs entered into this competition illustrating the vast character of our coastline from Fanad in Donegal to the Skelligs in Cork, from dolphins to surfers and from families enjoying a day out at the beach to dramatic seascapes, these photographs truly captured the essence of the Irish Coastline.”

The Clean Coast Programme is run by An Taisce the National Trust for Ireland and is supported by the Department of the Environment Heritage and Local Government, Coca-Cola, Fáilte Ireland and SECAD (South East Cork Area Development).

Source: Irish Press Releases

WindMade - new global consumer label

20/01/2011

Some of the world’s leading companies such as LEGO Group, Vestas Wind Systems and PricewaterhouseCoopers have joined forces with The Global Wind Energy Council and WWF to support the first global consumer label identifying products made using wind energy, WindMade.

This global initiative is dedicated to increasing corporate investments in wind power by informing consumers about a company’s use of wind energy and increasing demand for products that use this clean and renewable energy source.

  “Governments are dragging their feet, but consumers want to see change now. The private sector needs to step up to provide the solutions we need to respond to the global energy and climate crises. With WindMade, we want to facilitate the change that the public demands,” said Steve Sawyer, Secretary General of the Global Wind Energy Council, and interim CEO of WindMade.

Please see http://www.windmade.org/ for full details on how to get your business involved.

EPA Lecture Series now available to watch online

20/01/2011

All the lectures from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) climate change lecture series are now available on the EPA's YouTube channel. On 23rd November 2010 Mary Robinson spoke to a record crowd at the EPA’s lecture in the Mansion House. The focus of her lecture, Reshaping the Debate on Climate Change, was about the need to address the issue of justice in the developing world while addressing the pressing issue of climate change. This lecture is now also available on the EPA’s YouTube channel.

The EPA has also uploaded many other videos on environmental themes. These include:

• A Burning Question, the Duncan Stewart/RTE full-length documentary on climate change;
• excerpts from the Eco-Eye TV series - covering issues such as water quality, waste production, biodiversity, Green Schools and the Green Home programme and many other environmental issues;
• An animated video about what the EPA does.

Dr. Matt Crowe, Director of the EPA’s Office of Communications and Corporate Services, speaking about the EPA’s use of social media, said, “The EPA is always looking at new ways to engage with new audiences. People who are actively seeking specific information use social media channels such as YouTube and we have established our own channel recently to facilitate these users. We are finding it a useful way to provide environmental information to a wider audience who can spread the information among their own online networks.”

The EPA lecture series continues in 2011 with lecture 12: Climate Change – The Transport Challenge on Tuesday 1st February and lecture 13: Climate Change & Agriculture: ensuring food production is not threatened on Tuesday 15th March. Both of these talks will also be made available on YouTube.

Source: EPA

New UK research centre to tackle environmental issues

19/01/2011

The University of Leicester in the UK has launched (18^th January) the new European Centre of Excellence in Earth Observation Research Training, GIONET, where hi-tech environmental researchers will be trained in using the latest satellite technologies to tackle serious environmental issues. The researchers at GIONET will also develop new methods for addressing environmental disasters such as flooding and landslides, as well as improved climate change monitoring and protection of our planet’s natural resources.

The €3.5 million research centre is funded by the European Commission, Framework Programme 7 and the Marie Curie Programme. For further information, please see the University of Leicester website.

NIRIG Workshop - 20th January

19/01/2011

The Northern Ireland Renewable Industry Group (NIRIG) is holding a Northern Ireland Policy Event on Thursday 20th January in the Hilton Hotel, Belfast. The workshop will consider the actions required by industry, government and others to deliver the recently published Strategic Energy Framework. The conference will cover high level issues including planning, grid infrastructure and regulation as well as considering technical issues such as development on peat, the impact of the Onshore SEA and environmentally acceptable development. For further information contact the IWEA office on Tel (0)45 899341 or Irene Canty irene@iwea.com.

New Irish Record for Renewables

Carlingford's first birding weekend of 2011

18/01/2011

The coastal village of Carlingford in Co Louth will host its first birding weekend of 2011 from 4^th-6^th February. An illustrated talk will be given by Eric Dempsey on Friday evening, with bus outings and guided walks around Carlingford Lough and Dundalk Bay over the weekend. The cost is €50, excluding accommodation. For further information, please email Breffni Martin at bmartin@regintel.com or call 087-9145363.

EPA 2010 End of Year Statement

18/01/2011

Despite Ireland’s difficult economic circumstances during 2010 Ireland’s environment continues to be of high quality according to Dr Mary Kelly, EPA Director General.  Dr Kelly was speaking at the release of the EPA’s End of Year Statement for 2010.

Dr Kelly explained that: 

“The EPA has a clear focus on what it needs to achieve as the Agency charged with overseeing environmental protection in Ireland.  Limiting and adapting to climate change and making an effective transition to a green economy remain priorities for the EPA and for Ireland’s citizens, communities, businesses and government.  Significant on-going investment will be required to resolve waste, water and air issues and much work remains to be done in the areas of transport, energy and agriculture to ensure that economic growth, when it returns, is sustainable.”

Wood of Life Exhibition

17/01/2011

The travelling Wood of Life Exhibition, which supports the 2011 UN International Year of Forests, has arrived at the Church of Ireland College of Education (CICE), Rathmines where it will remain until 30^th January. The exhibition has been travelling around Ireland since February 2010, and will be displayed at two further venues in Wexford and Meath during the spring. To encourage tree planting in Ireland, Coillte has agreed to donate ten native trees to all schools who visit the Wood of Life Exhibition.

Please see http://www.justforests.org/exhibitions for further details.

The Green eBusiness Seminar

17/01/2011

The Green eBusiness Seminar will take place on Monday 24^th January from 10am to 4pm, at The Greenhouse, Dublin. It is an introduction to the Green Work’s course Green eBusiness: ICT and eCommerce in the Green Economy. Participants will learn how eBusiness has evolved and how it will be a part of a sustainable future.

Science for Environment Policy, issue 224 available online

17/01/2011

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

• Water issues are high on the corporate agenda
• Policy, not market alone, must dictate future transport emissions
• Local participation translates environmental monitoring into action
• Forest policy needs action to improve outdoor recreation
• Monitoring the restoration of coastal and estuarine ecosystems
• Black carbon from wildfires is travelling across Europe

Launch of Electric Vehicle Project on the Aran Islands

17/01/2011

24 households on the Aran Islands are participating in a pilot project to demonstrate the smart grid technologies needed to transfer and store wind energy in electric vehicles. Eight electric vehicles have been delivered to homes on 14^th January as part of a project coordinated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs. The vehicles will be rolled out to an initial eight households for one year, with a further eight households selected for participation in 2012 and again in 2013, under a three year programme looking at the potential for wind energy to power electric cars and to reduce reliance on imported fuels on the islands.

Each household has been fitted with an innovative smart charger unit which can be accessed remotely to allow matching of available wind power with vehicle charging requirements.

The project will aim to show a significant potential for electric vehicles charged by wind energy to meet the transport requirements under the difficult access conditions of an island environment.  It will assess the efficiency, reliability and maintainability of the vehicles and the potential for locally generated wind power to supply the electricity requirements for the vehicles.

For further deatails, please see the SEAI website.

Source: SEAI

Green Works announces 50 free courses for jobseekers across Ireland

14/01/2011

Green Works, the free education programme for jobseekers, has announced dates for more than 50 new courses taking place across Ireland in 2011. The courses, which focus on opportunities within the emergent Green Economy, will take place in the Green Works Hubs in Dublin, Cork, Sligo and Tipperary between January and June of this year.

Students can enrol in a wide variety of modules selected from the broad themes of Green Building, Sustainable Tourism, Green Business, Land Use and Practical Skills. The modules can be taken individually or combined to achieve a FETAC Major Award. The courses are free for anyone receiving unemployment payments.

Interested parties should visit www.green-works.ie or call 01 674 5773 for full course details.

Source: Irish Press Releases

Feasibility Study Grant Aid Funding

14/01/2011

Got a Good Business Idea Working with Recyclable Materials?

If so, you might be interested in a call for proposals now being made as part of a Feasibility Study Grant Aid Funding initiative aimed at encouraging the development of business ideas working with recyclable materials.

Should you or your organisation have an idea or project concept which has not yet been explored, a feasibility study will assess if the idea is technically, operationally, commercially and legally viable.

The call is open to any Irish company, organisation, group, research body or individual operating or residing in Ireland.

To find out more just log on to www.rx3.ie/Feasibility-Study-Grant-Aid  

Deadline for applications is 21st January 2011.

Source: rx3

 

EPA Proposed Decision on Waste to Energy Incinerator in Co Meath

14/01/2011

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) yesterday (13th Jan.) announced details of its Proposed Decision to issue a revised licence to Indaver Ireland (branch of Indaver NV) for the proposed waste incinerator at Carranstown, Duleek, Co Meath (Reg. No. W0167-02 ).  The proposed licence decision is subject to a 28-day public consultation period. 

If approved, the Proposed Decision will provide for the incineration, with energy recovery, of up to 200,000 tonnes per annum of non-hazardous waste at the facility.  This represents an increase from the 150,000 tonnes per annum maximum incineration capacity, which is currently authorised under the existing waste licence (Licence Register No. W0167-01 granted on 24th November 2005). 

Consistent with existing incinerator licences in Ireland, the Proposed Decision has stringent conditions attached for the management, operation, control and monitoring of the proposed facility.  The conditions meet the highest standards set by the EU Incineration of Waste Directive (2000/76/EC).  The EPA is satisfied that operation of the facility, in accordance with the conditions of the licence, will not endanger human health or harm the environment in the vicinity of the facility or over a wider area.

Further details are available on the EPA website.

Souce: EPA

New lecture series at Trinity Long Room Hub

14/01/2011

The Dublin Seminar is a new lecture series at the Trinity Long Room Hub, Trinity College, which explores the city from multiple perspectives including architecture and design, history, literature, social and economic issues as well as strategic planning.  The talks take place from 1 to 2pm in the new Long Room Hub building, designed by McCullough Mulvin Architects, with time allocated for discussion.

The series will run to April 2011 inclusive. Spatial Planner, Dr Conor Skehan, Head of the Environment and Planning Department in the School of Spatial Planning at DIT, will speak on 19 January on  “Planning FOR Dublin” – debating whether in planning terms Dublin’s important role as the economic driver of Ireland is being recognized.

  All events are free and on a first come basis.

Source: Trinity Long Room Hub

National Organic Training Skillnet update for 2011

13/01/2011

National Organic Training Skillnet (NOTS) have been provisionally offered a new training programme for 2011 and are in the process of putting together an application that will reflect the needs of the organic sector throughout 2011.

UK's first 'all-in-one' carbon management software launches

13/01/2011

An Irish firm has launched what it claims is the UK's first 'all-in-one' carbon management software. The system, for which a marketing drive will get underway next week, has been developed by ManageCO2.

The firm says simplifications to the Government's Carbon Reduction (CRC) Energy Efficiency Scheme and a gap in the market for an in all one approach to energy management prompted the creation of the system.

The software, which is cloud based meaning users includes the UK's first all-in-one solution for carbon and energy management, which tracks and reports organisations' energy consumption and carbon footprint every 15 minutes at a granular level.

This allows companies to identify high usage areas, such as data centres, lighting or specific areas within buildings, and to instantly calculate and validate the return on investment for areas of energy reduction.

Ireland-based ManageCO2's managing director, Adrian Fleming, said businesses are 'fed up' with spending vast sums on an energy management system only to find they need to buy another system to cope when new legislation come in.

Source: Edie Ireland

Gormley Welcomes Publication of Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) 2011

12/01/2011

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr. John Gormley, T.D., yesterday (11 January 2011) welcomed the publication of the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) 2011 Bill.

Minister Gormley said it would contribute to ending an over emphasis on residual waste management and help drive waste up the waste hierarchy towards recycling and reuse.

"I want waste to be seen as a resource rather than as a problem. I believe if we view it as a resource, it can contribute to economic recovery, as it is put to new and innovative uses," said the Minister.

Source: Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government

A Biodiversity Action Plan for Wexford County - Your Views Wanted!

12/01/2011

Wexford County Council want the views of all members of the community to help plan how the biodiversity resources of the County will be protected and managed over the next five years. They'd like to know:

• What do you think are the most important issues concerning biodiversity or nature conservation in Wexford?
• What are the main threats to Wexford's natural heritage?
• What are the most important actions that need to be taken to conserve and enhance nature and biodiversity of Wexford?

You can have your say by making a submission in writing to Biodiversity Plan, Forward Planning Section, Wexford County Council before Friday 28th January. Or e-mail forwardplanning@wexfordcoco.ie.

Download A Biodiversity Action Plan for Wexford PDF.

Source: The Heritage Council

Two boil notices lifted in Co. Limerick

12/01/2011

Two of three precautionary boil notices in place in Co Limerick have been lifted by Limerick County Council.

The local authority confirmed on MOnday 10th January that following water quality monitoring, consultation with and advice from the Health Service Executive, it is now in a position to remove boil water notices affecting customers served by the Kilmallock Public Water Supply and Newcastle West Public Water Supply.

A third boil water notice affecting customers served by the Abbeyfeale Public Water Supply remains in place pending the completion of additional water quality tests on that supply.

Carlow announced as the cleanest town in Ireland

11/01/2011

Carlow was announced as the cleanest town in the final round on the Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) Anti Litter League 2010, with Trim coming a close second. The winning town was presented with a plaque by Dr Tom Cavanagh, chairman of IBAL, on Monday 10^th January.To mark its success, Carlow will receive a number of trees for planting locally from IBAL member, the Irish Tree Centre, Co Cork.

The latest results show that 39 of 53 towns are Clean to European Norms, compared to only 2 when the survey began in 2002.

Environment for Europeans - January 2011

11/01/2011

The January 2011 Magazine of the Directorate-General for the Environment Environment for Europeans is now available online on the EC website. This month’s focus is on Valuing Biodiveristy. Articles include:

• Natura 2000 – new guidance documents for wind energy and extractive industries
• Giving LIFE to the Hungarian meadow viper
• Retailers displaying green credentials
• Putting a value on biodiversity and ecosystem services
• Soil, climate change and biodiversity are all related
• EU advances towards coordinated action on ship dismantling
• Biodiversity – public awareness campaign gains momentum

Funding for Irish wave energy technology secured

10/01/2011

The Irish government has signed a 50% funding agreement for a €150,000 research project into CETO wave energy technology, through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), with Australian wave energy developer Carnegie Wave Energy Ltd. The aim of the project is to assess potential CETO wave sites in Ireland and to develop a site specific conceptual design.

CETO wave energy technology produces zero-emission electricity and desalinated water. If the technology proves to be viable in Irish waters, establishing a CETO system would help Ireland meet its ocean energy target of producing 500MW by 2020.

For details on the CETO technology, please see http://www.carnegiecorp.com.au/.

SEAI publishes Energy In Ireland and Energy Forecasts reports

10/01/2011

SEAI has published two reports, Energy in Ireland 1990-2009 and Energy Forecasets 2010.

Energy In Ireland examines energy trends in Ireland with particular emphasis on 2009 and relates the trends to Government and EU targets in order to inform the development of the policies and measures to meet the targets.

Energy in Ireland 1990-2009

The main purpose of Energy Forecasts 2010 is to inform debate on future energy trends, particularly as they relate to national and EU policies on energy efficiency, renewable energy, climate change, air quality and security of energy supply. This includes providing information for use by Ireland's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in preparing energy related projections of greenhouse and trans-boundary gas emissions.

Energy Forecasts 2010

Source: Envirocentre

Science for Environment Policy, issue 223 available online

07/01/2010

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

• Meeting the need for green skills in Europe’s job market
• Sustainable nanotechnology: a combined life cycle and risk assessment
• Biodiversity in decline, but conservation efforts making a difference
• The impact of climate change on Europe’s electricity demand
• Diversification may help water supply problems
• Replacing end-of-life power stations with CCS coal-fired plants

Roscommon Flood Prevention Company Bags Key UK Deal

07/01/2011

Only six months after launching, Irish company Global Flood Solutions has secured a major export deal with SG Baker, the UK’s largest international supplier of sandbags, and industrial/agricultural packaging. The Roscommon-based company will now supply 7,000 of its Big Bag System to SG Baker, in a deal that totals more than €2m in revenue.

The Big Bag System can be deployed faster than any other flood defence system and costs less per unit than more conventional measures. It is being supplied exclusively to SG Baker for the next three years.

The deal represents a major coup for the young company as SG Baker is already the biggest supplier of conventional sandbags in the UK; it has been the supplier of all sand bags to the British military for over forty years and also currently supplies eighty nine local authorities across the country.

Source: Environment and Energy Management

International Conference on Anaerobic Digestion

06/01/2011

AD Europe 2011 International Conference and Trade Fair on Anaerobic Digestion of Organic Waste and Agricultural Residues will take place from 24th-25th February at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dublin Airport. The theme of the conference is 'The Future of Anaerobic Digestion in Europe - Situation, Barriers and Chances'.

Speakers from the European Commission, Canadian Compost Council, Volkswagon, the European Investment Bank, and others will make thirty presentations over the two days. A trade exhibition will also take place. A conference brochure and further details are available at www.cre.ie/AD2011.

New Record for Wind Power Output

06/01/2011

Energy Minister Eamon Ryan yesterday (5th January) welcomed the latest information on wind power output in Ireland, which shows that a new record has been set.

According to EirGrid, the national transmission operator, a level of 1,228 megawatts was reached at 4.15pm on St Stephen’s Day (Sunday, December 26, 2010). For the entire day, wind power output averaged at approximately 1000 MW.

One megawatt of generation, if operating, is enough to power the equivalent of the usage of roughly 650 homes. Therefore on St. Stephen’s Day, wind generation powered almost 800,000 homes around Ireland – or approximately one-third of national usage.

“This is proof,” said Minister Ryan, “that even on colder days, wind power can contribute greatly to Ireland’s electricity system. This is hugely encouraging. Government policy is to facilitate investment in wind energy, to deliver a low-carbon, sustainable energy future for Ireland.

The majority of countries worldwide are moving in this direction, but without the major resource advantage that Ireland has.

We have some of the best, if not the best, wind resources in the world and it makes sense to develop them.

Government and industry are on board. Last year, private sector investment in wind energy reached approximately €400 million.

With ambitious policy and significant investment, I am confident that we can keep setting similar records for the years ahead.”

Source: Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
 

EU to exceed renewable energy goal of 20 percent by 2020

06/01/2011

The EU 27 will exceed its target of meeting 20 % of its gross final energy consumption from renewable sources by 2020, according to the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) following its analysis of the 27 National Renewable Energy Action Plans, submitted by the EU Member States to the European Commission.

“Taken together the Action Plans show that the EU-27 will meet 20.7 % of its 2020 energy consumption from renewables”, said Justin Wilkes, Policy Director of the European Wind Energy Association.

The National Action Plans show that one third (34%) of EU electricity demand will be supplied from renewables by 2020. This will be made up of made up of 14% from wind energy (10% onshore, 4% offshore), 10.5% from hydro, 6.6% from biomass, 2.4% from solar photovoltaic, 0.5% from CSP, 0.3% from geothermal and 0.1% from ocean.

Ireland will be the country with the highest wind energy penetration level at 36.4% of its total electricity demand, followed by Denmark at 31%.

Percentage details of the renewable energy share per Member States are available on the EWEA website.

Endessa to begin work on Tarbert Power Station

05/01/2010

An Bord Pleanala has granted planning permission to Spain’s leading utilities company, Endessa, to begin work on the first phase of a new combined-cycle gas turbine power plant at the former ESB station at Tarbert, Co. Kerry. The new facility will be constructed in two phases over four years and is expected to increase to plant output from 305 to 450MW.

The first phase is due to be finished by the end of 2012, and phase two is scheduled to begin in 2014 and be fully operational in 2016.

Bus Eireann Rolls Out Eco-driving

05/01/2010

Having trained 250 of its drivers in eco-driving techniques following successful trials in several areas of the country, Bus Eireann is confident of significantly reducing its fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions during 2011. Indeed, Eco-driving and fuel monitoring could save Bus Eireann over €1.5 million a year while cutting emissions.

Eco-driving involves driving in a style suited to modern engine technology that includes having the vehicle in the optimum gear, ensuring the engine is in the most efficient rev. range, and watching the road farther ahead in order to anticipate changes required in vehicle speed. In addition to reducing fuel consumption and vehicle emissions, eco-driving can reduce vehicle operating costs including maintenance and depreciation costs.

Another important benefit of the eco-driving technique is that it is less fatiguing for the driver.

Bus Eireann is also currently introducing a range of further energy savings initiatives across the company to deliver environmental benefits. These energy management initiatives are part of a range of measures that the company is introducing in conjunction with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland as part of the Government’s target of a 33% improvement in energy efficiency in the public sector by 2020.

Source: Environment & Energy Management

€10m Investment for Youghal Waste Recovery Plant

04/01/2011

Eras Eco, the Cork based waste treatment and recycling plant, has announced plans for a €10 million investment in new environmentally friendly technology at its site at Foxhole, Youghal. Ten new full-time jobs will be created once the new facilities are commissioned in addition to approximately 20 jobs during the construction and installation phase.

The key element will be a new green and renewable system for the safe and complete destruction of aqueous organic waste that has been developed by Cork based environmental company, Super Critical Fluids International (SCFI). This innovative system, known as AquaCritox, has been extensively developed and tested in Ireland and Sweden over the past five years.

The system employs super critical water oxidation technology to provide 100% destruction of organic wet waste converting it into clean water. AquaCritox does not generate any odours or harmful emissions or residues. This innovative process is carried out in water and generates steam that can be used to make renewable electricity or used elsewhere on the site. The adoption of the AquaCritox technology will allow Eras Eco to convert the waste streams safely and efficiently into renewable energy thus displacing imported energy.

The company additionally plans to further develop its green energy credentials with the construction of an above ground anaerobic digestion facility on the site to allow for enhanced treatment of bio-solids. The resultant production of methane gas will be used to produce electricity for use on site through a combined heat and power generator.

The upgraded facilities will utilise existing buildings and plant on the site. There will be no increase in the amount of waste permitted under existing permissions and no new entrance points to the site required.

Source: Environment & Energy Management

Youth Media & Sustainability Training

04/01/2011

This bespoke training looks at the basics of Sustainable Development, examines key environmental issues, explores young people’s attitude to environmental issues and investigates how to develop messages that engage your audience.
 

What?
This short course provides an introduction to communicating sustainability in youth media.

The course will include information on the basics of Sustainable Development, examine key environmental issues, explore young people’s attitude to environmental issues and investigate how to develop messages that engage your audience.

Who?
This training is for media professionals whose target audience includes young people

When?
Wednesday 26th January : 12.00-14.30 or 18.00-20.30
(refreshments included - registration essential)

Where?
ECO-UNESCO, The Greenhouse, 17 St Andrew Street, Dublin 2

How much?
Free

How do I get involved?
Register for Free
Contact e. training@ecounesco.ie t. +353 1 6625491

Source: Irish Press Releases