September

€790,000 will fund small, local projects which will improve environment – Hogan

29/09/2011

Mr. Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, on 28th September, announced funding for local environmental initiatives by communities, individuals and non-profit groups and organisations. The Minister has allocated funding of €395,000 to local authorities to fund projects under the Local Agenda 21 (LA21) Environmental Partnership Fund 2011. Matching funding by local authorities will bring shared potential partnership funding to €790,000. The Fund promotes sustainable development by assisting small scale, non-profit environmental projects at local level. Eligible projects are those that will support and complement, at a local level, national environmental policies such as those on Waste, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Air, Water and Sustainable Development.

Announcing the scheme Minister Hogan stated “I am delighted to announce the Local Agenda 21 Partnership Fund for 2011. This €395,000 Fund provides valuable assistance to local groups. It supports, at the grass roots level, efforts to improve the environment, to make our communities more sustainable and to increase general awareness of environmental issues. Local authorities provide additional funding to the local groups as well as essential support. The projects also attract funding from businesses and other organisations. All of this helps to facilitate a partnership approach within local communities.”

The LA21 Environmental Partnership Fund has operated since 1997. A total of 448 projects were funded in 2010; including community gardens and allotments, biodiversity projects, environmental education programmes, waste reduction initiatives, and local environmental planning. Groups seeking funding for eligible projects are invited to make an application to their local authority (application forms are available from the local authorities).

Completed application forms should be returned to the relevant local authority at the latest by 19 October 2011.  Application forms, local authority contacts, and further information on the LA21 Environmental Partnership Fund can be obtained from the Department’s website: www.environ.ie

Source: Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

FREE Resource Efficiency Workshops for the Hospitality Sector

29/09/2011

The Green Hospitality Programme is continuing its 2011 Workshop series during October for its members and is also inviting interested hospitality businesses to attend to find out how easy it is to become more efficient and reduce costs and also achieve recognised environmental certification. Attend at one of the locations below to find out how to reduce your Energy, Waste and Water costs and at the same time achieve Internationally recognised Environmental Certification.

Locations and Dates 

Mid West  October 4th Tuesday Limerick Carlton Castletroy Park

South October 5th Wednesday Cork Radisson Blu Hotel Cork Airport

East October 11th Tuesday Dublin Westin Hotel

North East October 12th Wednesday Dundalk Ballymascanlon Hotel

West October 19th Wednesday Galway Menlo Park Hotel

North West October 20th Thursday Sligo Radisson Blu Hotel Sligo

Midlands October 26th Wednesday Tullamore Tullamore Court Hotel

South East October 27th Thursday Kilkenny Hotel Kilkenny

Full details are available on the Green Hospitality Programme website.

Source: GreenBusiness

Repak Recycling Week 2011: 3rd-9th October

28/09/2011

The 11^th Repak Recycling Week, designed to highlight and encourage householders and businesses to recycle their used packaging, will take place from 3^rd-9^th October 2011.

The overall aim of Repak is to facilitate and increase packaging recycling in Ireland, and campaigns such as Repak Recycling Week and funding of recycling collections have helped Ireland to increase its recycling rate from under 15% in 1998 to over 65% in 2010.

The theme for this year’s Repak Recycling Week is ‘Recycle More around the workplace’. Research shows that while recycling habits at home are generally high, only 46% of people regularly recycle in the office kitchen/cateen dropping to 28% at our desks. To help you in your campaign, a series of posters are available to download from the event website.

Further ENFO recycling posters are also available to download from the Posters and Leaflets section of this website.

2011 Carbon Disclosure Project Ireland Report

The Carbon Disclosure Project Ireland 2011 report launch will take place at The Convention Centre, Spencer Dock Dublin on Tuesday 18^th October. Registration begins at 7.45am and the event will take place from 8.15-10.15am.

The 2011 CDP Ireland Report, the third report prepared by KPMG, examines the strategies being deployed by many of Ireland's most successful companies to ensure sustainability in a low-carbon world.

The launch of this year's report on October 18, offers an opportunity to hear from three leading Irish businessmen about what these issues mean for their companies and why, despite the tough challenges of today's economic context, taking part in the Carbon Disclosure Project is still a priority. Details are available on the event website.

Source: Business & Leadership

Resource Ireland 2012

28/09/2011

The Resource Ireland event will take place at Simmonscourt Dublin from 17^th-18^th October 2012. This event consists of the Irish Water Exhibition, the Irish Recycling & Waste Exhibition and the Irish Sustainable Business Exhibition and will also include a 2 day seminar programme. For information on how to exhibit or register to attend Resource Ireland, please visit www.resourceireland.net or call +44 (0)20 8651 7120.

Autumn 2011 Cultivate Learning Schedule

27/09/2011

Upskill for Ireland's Green Economy with Cultivate's Upcoming Courses

Green eBusiness & Social Media | 4 weeks from 17th Oct 2011 | €220 | Keep ahead of the game! Business tools for the 21^st Century

Video Production | 6 weeks from 26th Oct 2011 | €180 / €150 | Learn to shoot high quality videos and use Apple & Open Source editing software

Green Business Marketing | 4 weeks from 14th Nov 2011 | €200 | Learn the tools needed for Green Economy marketing

Green Building | 4 weeks from 15th Nov 2011 | €325 | Principles and practices of environmentally sustainable construction in Ireland

Source: Cultivate

EU Wind Power Experts Seek New Steering Committee

27/09/2011

The 150 EU wind energy researchers and experts who make up the European Wind Energy Technology Platform (TPWind) in Brussels are seeking a new Steering Committee. TPWind is supported by the European Commission, EU Member States and the European Wind Initiative (EWI) network and R&D forum. Its work is coordinated by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA), the renewable energy consultancy Garrad Hassan and the Danish National Laboratory for Renewable Energy (Risoe-DTU).

TPWind is playing a central role in shaping European wind energy technology research and development. Over the next three years, its work will focus on publishing and implementing strategic action plans for the EU wind energy sector. TPWind will also develop relationships with relevant stakeholders.

The deadline for applications is 30 September at midnight,Brusselstime. For more information on TPWind, contact Filippo Gagliardi at fg(at)ewea.org or visit the TPWind website.

Source: Environment & Energy Management

Teagasc Launch 'Energy Use in Agriculture'

26/09/2011

Teagasc launched a new publication called ‘Energy Use in Agriculture’,  Tuesday, 20 September at the National Ploughing Championships, in Athy, Co. Kildare. The publication will help Irish farmers reduce farming energy costs. ‘Energy Use in Agriculture’ focuses on the amount of energy used in the main farming enterprises (dairy, pigs, poultry, tillage, grassland and horticulture) and the opportunities to be more energy efficient.

The publication also contains a section on renewable sources of energy in agriculture which will help identify what renewables make sense and the expected payback from solar, hydroelectricity, PV, anaerobic digestion, small scale wind and biomass based on present policy measures within the renewable sector.

Producers interested in improving the energy efficiency of a single system, such as heating and cooling, or lighting can receive technical assistance and guidance for their projects through SEAI staff. Teagasc researchers in the various enterprises see energy efficiency as a key approach to sustainable agriculture, followed closely by the adoption of renewables where appropriate, and where they make economic sense.

Source: Teagasc
 

Science for Environment Policy: issue 254 available online

26/09/2011

Science for Environment Policy issue 254 is now available online. Articles include:

• ‘Self-fuelling’ method could reduce GHGs from oil shale
• Clarifying the limits of European coastal waters
• The impacts of global crop productions on water and land use
• Local knowledge is key to sustainable forestry
• New public-private partnerships will achieve a green economy
• Sloping smooth roofs prove best for rainwater harvesting

Air quality in Ireland is amongst the best in Europe

23/09/2011
 

The EPA report Air Quality In Ireland 2010 – Key Indicators of Ambient Air Quality released yesterday shows that air quality in Ireland is of a high quality throughout the country, meets all EU standards and is amongst the best in Europe.

The report provides an overview of air quality in Ireland for 2010, based on data obtained from a national monitoring network consisting of 27 monitoring stations spread throughout the country. New air monitoring stations in 2010 included Longford town, Bray in County Wicklow and Celbridge in County Kildare.

2010 air quality monitoring shows:

• Air quality in Ireland is of a high quality and met all EU standards.
• Due to traffic, levels of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter (PM10) remain a concern in Dublin and Cork city centres.
• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) could be a problem pollutant in the future.
• In smaller towns, concentrations of particulate matter are elevated due to the use of bituminous coal.
• Real-time air quality information for Ireland is available on the EPA website at Air Quality Data.

Source: EPA

Europe-Wide Poll Reveals Fears for our Marine Environment

23/09/2011

Rising sea levels, coastal erosion, flooding and changes in the frequency of extreme weather events are the top public concerns regarding climate change impacts on the marine environment. These are among the main messages emerging from the first ever European poll of public attitudes to marine climate change impacts.

Other results from the poll show that European citizens are also concerned about the impacts of climate change on the marine and coastal environments, are reasonably well informed and are willing to take appropriate action. Many European citizens are already taking personal actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but are concerned that individual actions are of little consequence given the scale of the problem. Citizens also tend to blame climate change on other groups of people or nations and assign governments and industry with responsibility for solutions. It also emerged that the Irish and Spanish are the most concerned about marine climate change impacts, the French, British and the Czechs are the least concerned.

Source: Marine Institute

Aoife McGrath, winner of Tullow ENFOpoint competition, is presented with her prize by Minister Hogan

20/09/2011

Congratulations to Aoife McGrath, competition winner at the launch of the new ENFOpoint service at Tullow Library in Co Carlow on Friday, 16th September. Aoife was presented with a bird house by Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Mr Phil Hogan TD, who formally lauched the new ENFOpoint.

The development of ENFOpoints is a key part of the strategy of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to make environmental information services available locally to all throughout the country. Central to this is the www.enfo.ie website and an enhanced role for public libraries in supporting local communities in greener living.

Science for Environment Policy: issue 253 available online

16/09/2011

Science for Environment Policy issue 253 is now available online. Articles include:

• The importance of boundaries in international river management
• Exposure risk from urban chemicals is higher indoors
• New method for assessing organic pollutant risks in surface waters
• New recommendations for reducing seabird bycatch
• Researchers assess indoor air pollution across Europe
• Forest owner motivations for Catalonian forest management identified
• Ventilation systems and respirators help protect workers from nanoparticles

World Green Building Week 2011

15/09/2011

The IGBC (Irish Green Building Council) and Éasca are celebrating World Green Building Week (WGBW), marked annually by Green Building Councils around the world during the third week in September (19th-23rd) with events promoting sustainable buildings and communities.

Most events are open to non members with some restricted to members only and invited guests. The events include:

• Lunchtime talk hosted by Ecocem on Carbon Footprinting on Monday19th September, 12:45 pm

• Lunchtime talk hosted by EASCAon Tuesday 20th September, 12:45 pm

• Lunchtime talk hosted by Scott Tallon Walker Architects on 21st September, 12:45 pm

• An evening networking event on 20 Sept for members of IGBC, Easca and invited guests at 5:30 pm

• IPFMA annual Conference

• IIEA 2nd annual Retrofit Conference - Bringing retrofit to market.

• CIBSE Webinar- Passive House Myth or Reality - 22nd September

• Meeting of European Networks of Green Building Councils in Brussels with European Parliament MEPs and commission officials - 22nd September

For more information on each of these events click on the links above or visit the IGBC website.

Source: Cultivate

Hogan announces a risk-based approach to the inspection of septic tanks

15/09/2011

The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Mr Phil Hogan, T.D., yesterday (14th September) outlined the registration and inspection regime for septic tanks that will be introduced to address a ruling issued by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in October 2009 against Ireland on this issue. The detailed arrangements will be set out in legislation to be published shortly.

“I want to bring clarity to the more than 440,000 septic tank owners about the specific proposals in the pending legislation. The draft legislation will provide for a proportionate and risk-based approach to inspections. It is intended that inspections would be targeted to sensitive areas, for example, where drinking water sources or habitats are likely to be, or have been, impacted upon. The new legislation is being framed to minimise the impact on householders who can be assured that if their systems are working properly and are being maintained they need not be concerned. The likelihood is that inspections under the new system will commence in 2013. If we do not comply with the 2009 ECJ ruling in a timely manner Ireland will be the subject of significant fines by the Court.” The level of the fines could be a lump-sum penalty of €2.7 million and continuing daily fines for continued non-compliance of more than €26,000 per day (equivalent to more than €9.5 million per annum).

The Minister gave a summary of the key features of the proposed new system, which are available on the website of the Department of the Enivornment, Community and Local Government.

Source: Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2012: Registration Now Open

14/09/2011

Registration is now open for the ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards. This all-Ireland environmental awards programme recognises and rewards young people who raise awareness on important environmental issues such as climate change, energy, waste, biodiversity and more.

Participants in the ECO-UNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards must complete their project in one of nine categories by February 2012. Teachers and youth leaders may register groups of 2-20 young people on the ECO-UNESCO website or by contacting yea@ecounesco.ie. The deadline for registration is November 25^th 2011.

Registered groups can avail of advice and support from ECO-UNESCO while the projects progress.

New Marine Atlas published

14/09/2011

A new edition of the North Western Waters Atlas has just been published, showing the key biological features of the waters around Ireland.

It has been funded under the EU MEFEPO (Making the European Fisheries Ecosystem Plan Operational) project, made up of ecologists, economists, management experts and fisheries scientists who are trying to make ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) a reality in Europe. EBFM seeks to support the 'three pillars of sustainability’ (ecological, social and economic) and as such includes human activity in the ecosystem.

The Atlas is intended for policy makers, managers and interested stakeholders. Its purpose is to provide a broad overview of the ecosystem of the NWW Regional Advisory Council (RAC) area with the science kept as clear and concise as possible and technical language kept to a minimum.

Source: Marine Institute

LIFE+ 2011 European Week for Waste Reduction: 19th-27th November

13/09/2011

Following growing success in 2009 and 2010, the third and final phase of the LIFE+ Information & Communication campaign, the European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR), will take place on 19-27 November 2011. The 2011 ‘Week’ will involve public authorities and a wide variety of project sponsors (government, communities, school groups or NGOs) from across the EU. With 524 kg of municipal waste generated on average per person in Europe (2008 Eurostat), the aim is to raise awareness of ways of reducing waste and to promote changes in production and consumption patterns.

The 2011 campaign will focus on the various stages of a product cycle, ranging from production and consumption to re-use. The overall aim is to inform the greatest number possible of Europeans about the simple actions that can be taken up in everyday life to help contribute to waste reduction efforts. These actions are focused on one or several of the following five themes: Too much waste – Better production – Better consumption – A longer life for products – Less waste thrown away.

A complete list of the 2011 ‘organisers and actions’ can be found on the EWWR website.

Source: EU LIFE

Professor Michael Coey Public Lecture: September 27, 2011

13/09/2011

Professor Michael Coey, recipient of the inaugural RDS / Intel Prize Lecture for Nanoscience, will present a public lecture on Tuesday, September 27 at 7pm in the RDS Concert Hall. Admission is free but advance booking is essential, to reserve a place please email science@rds.ie<mailto:science@rds.ie or contact 01 240 2789.

Entitled ‘Tales from the Nanoworld, billions of magnets for billions of people’, Professor Coey will explain how the average person owns several billion magnets which have transformed our everyday lives. Far from the iconic image of a large, red, horseshoe-shaped magnet, in the world of nanoscience these magnets are so tiny that scientists could fit a million of them on the head of a pin. It is thanks to the fast-developing field of magnetism that huge volumes of documents, images, music and data can be copied and stored in computers. Through his lecture Professor Coey will illustrate also how the cutting-edge field of nanoscience has the potential to transform research and industry across all areas of science including electronics, medicine and engineering.

Source: RDS

Irish PC is world's most eco friendly

12/09/2011

Irish computer manufacturer, MicroPro Computers, has launched the latest model in its iameco, which has become the first desktop computer in the world to win the coveted Eco Flower Label of the European Union.

The EU Eco Flower Label is the most difficult environmental standard to secure, and the most rigorously enforced. While its flower logo may be simple, the environmental criteria behind it are tough, and only the very best products, which are kindest to the environment, are entitled to carry the label.

The iameco computer achieves previously unattainable standards of energy efficiency, reusability and recyclability on the market.

It consumes just 0.8 watts of power in standby mode, zero watts in off mode, and 21 watts in full operation - just one third of the power usage of other desktop computers - and incorporates the most environmentally benign components in a fully reusable and ultimately recyclable chassis and housing with a design life of up to 10 years. The iameco computer is an entirely new market offering with an upgradable, silent-running, solid state design that will run on any of the leading operating systems, including Mac OS and Windows 7.

Source: Business World

Science for Environment Policy Issue 252 available online

12/09/2011

Science for Environment Policy issue 252 is now available online. Articles include:

• Rising gold prices drive Peruvian deforestation and mercury imports
   
• Predicting the spread of the tiger mosquito in Europe
   
• Ensuring life cycle assessment becomes life cycle management
   
• Assessing eutrophication for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive
   
• ‘Agroecology’ could be the key to food security
   
• A simple model of urban air pollution

Dundrum Town Centre awarded County’s first Ecocert certification

09/09/2011

An Cathaoirleach, Cllr. John Bailey awarded Dundrum Town Centre the County’s first ever Ecocert certification following approval recently by a steering committee comprising the Environmental Protection Agency, Local Authorities and environmental consultancy, Econcertive.

The Certificate is valid for three years subject to successful annual surveillance and the Centre’s adherence to the Ecocert Programme requirements one of which is a commitment to continuous improvement. New projects to be undertaken at Dundrum Town Centre include a waste minimisation pilot study, a water conservation programme investigating the viability of rainwater harvesting or spring water for toilet and washdown uses and reducing energy costs using solar panels to heat water and generate electricity.

Source: Presence Communications

Science for Environment Policy: Trade and Environment thematic issue

09/09/2011

Science for Environment Policy special thematic issue no. 27 on 'Trade and Environment' is now available online. Articles include:

• 21st century trade agreements: implications for developing policy
• Knowledge exchange across the Atlantic: challenges faced by NAFTA
• Aid for Trade: lessons learnt about sustainability from the past
• EU and US: implications of different SIA approaches in negotiations
• Sustainability Impact Assessments do not capture all impacts of trade
• Revise trade model for a global green economy

Ministers secure agreement on EIA regulations for on-farm developments

09/09/2011

Minister Phil Hogan TD, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, and Minister Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine announced a package of reforms to address the adverse findings of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in respect of certain categories of farm development and activities and to bring Ireland’s implementation of environmental impact assessment (EIA) in line with the requirements of the EU Directive.

Both Ministers have outlined that consultation and engagement will now take place with relevant stakeholders and the Commission on the guidelines that will support these regulations.

Source: Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

Killarney is Ireland's Tidiest Town for 2011

07/09/2011

Killarney, Co. Kerry is Ireland’s Tidiest Town for 2011.   Killarney was today (5 September) named best of the record 821 towns and villages that entered this year’s TidyTowns competition.  The announcement was greeted by great celebration at today’s awards ceremony in the Helix theatre in Dublin. 

On hand to present the prizes was Mr. Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and Mr. Martin Kelleher, Managing Director of SuperValu, the competition’s sponsor.  The Helix was packed with representatives of TidyTowns groups, from all over the country, eagerly anticipating the announcement of the winners.

Killarney also claimed the award of Ireland’s Tidiest Large Town. Other winners included Kilkenny City, Co. Kilkenny which was named Ireland's Tidiest Large Urban Centre, Lismore, Co. Waterford which received the award for Ireland’s Tidiest Small Town, and Emly, Co. Tipperary which received the award of Ireland’s Tidiest Village.

Interest in the TidyTowns competition has been stronger than ever in recent times and the number of entries has been growing year on year.  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 sponsor SuperValu.  The response to this call was overwhelming with a record 821 communities entering the competition - an increase from 764 entries last year.

Source: Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

OpenHydro and EDF Prepare to Install First Tidal Turbine in Brittany

07/09/2011

Irish tidal technology specialist, OpenHydro and French utility company EDF have announced that the project to deploy the first of four 16m tidal turbines off the coast of Paimpol-Brehat is now in the final stages of preparation. On August 31st 2011 the first turbine assembled at DCNS’ shipyard in Brest was towed from the harbour to commence a series of commissioning tests at sea prior to installation.

This is the first stage of a project which in 2012 will create the world’s largest tidal array generating power onto the French grid. The turbines are supplied by OpenHydro and each has the capacity to generate over 2MW of energy.

OpenHydro and its partner DCNS have now completed the assembly of the first turbine for the Paimpol-Brehat project. The electrical output of the completed tidal farm will power 4,000 homes.

Source: OpenHydro

How Green is Your Business? Competition and Event

06/09/2011

Dublin Chamber of Commerce has announced details of its forthcoming Green Economy Forum 'How Green is Your Business Competition and Event' with special guest Dragon's Den Judge, Bobby Kerr.

The winning company will recieve €5,000 worth of prizes.

The 'How Green is Your Business Competition and Event' will be Dublin Chamber of Commerce's Green Economy Forum first competition of its kind. The competition will showcase businesses' green initiatives across all industries as the foundation of Dublin's emerging green economy. Finalists will gain valuable exposure to green experts, consumers, prominent business leaders and the media to help ignite the green economy.

Application forms for the competition must be received by Thursday 8th September 2011 . Finalists (6-8 companies) will be announced and invited to present to the panel at a special '"How Green is Your Business?" event that will take place on 27th September. It will be held at ByrneWallace's Offices, Grand Canal Dock, Dublin 2.

Source: Dublin Chamber of Commerce

'Spot the Alien': National Biodiversity Data Centre call for recordings

06/09/2011

The National Biodiversity Data Centre has launched the “Spot the Alien” recording scheme and nature and garden lovers are being asked to report sightings of three invasive alien species which may have been seen in their area. The three species targeted are the  New Zealand flatworm, the harlequin ladybird and the distinctive red lily beetle in its programme.

Data centre schemes co-ordinator Colette O’Flynn said sightings provided by the public can provide valuable data to help understand the level of invasion, distribution and spread of these species in Ireland.

Ms O’Flynn added that the New Zealand flatworm kills our hard-working native earthworms in large quantities and the harlequin ladybird has been dubbed “the most invasive ladybird on Earth”.  This ladybird is highly variable in looks but is larger than most of our native ladybirds, which it eats. It can winter in houses in the hundreds of thousands as it has done in England.

Ms O’Flynn said the distinctive red lily beetle damages lilies and fritillary plants but is noticeable by its vibrant red with a black head, legs and antennae.

Sightings can be submitted to http://invasives.biodiversityireland.ie where more information on Spot the Alien is available. The public is also asked to submit photographs, if possible, to assist verification.

Source: National Biodiversity Data Centre

Science for Environment Policy issue 251 available online

05/09/2011

Science for Environment Policy issue 251 is now available online. Articles include:

• GHG emissions from shale greater than conventional gas, coal or oil
• The future is bright for environmental citizen science
• New method improves ecological footprinting of food products
• Toxic mercury could be produced within seawater
• Impact of landfill caps on leachate emissions - an Austrian case study
• Mediterranean MPA provides fish larvae for neighbouring areas

Environment Ireland Conference 2011: 15th September

02/09/2011

The seventh Environment Ireland conference will take place on Thursday 15th September in the Croke Park Conference Centre. 

Environment Ireland is Ireland’s largest conference on environmental policy and management and is organised by BMF Conferences in association with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. It is attended each year by delegates representing all the major sectors with an interest in Ireland’s environment, including many from Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Environment Ireland provides an important opportunity for all the key players in the environment sector to come together for networking and discussion.

The full conference programme and details of registration can be found on the BMF Conferences website.

Source: Environmental Protection Agency

Public Consultation on 20 potential Substances of Very High Concern

01/09/2011

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has published proposals to identify 20 chemicals as Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) and thus as possible candidates for authorisation. The detailed proposals are available on the ECHA website. Interested parties are invited to comment on the proposals by 13th October 2011.

New study estimates 8.7 million species on Earth

01/09/2011

A new study by Census of Marine Life scientists estimates that the total number of species on Earth is 8.7 million. This figure is based on an innovative analytical technique which the scientists say offers the most precise calculation of the number of species on Earth. Previous estimates ranged between 3 million and 100 million.

Of the 8.7 million species estimated to be on Earth, 6.5 million of these are found on land, while 2.2 million live in the sea. The report also concludes that 86% of all species on land and 91% of those in the seas have yet to be discovered, described or catalogued.