Author: George Lee
Minister of State for Nature Malcolm Noonan expressed his disappointment and frustration at the delay in progress on the Marine Protected Areas Bill, which aims to protect marine biodiversity in Ireland’s seas. The bill, which aims to designate 30% of Ireland’s seas as Marine Protected Areas by 2030, is now expected to be published at the end of the year. Human activities such as bottom trawling have devastating consequences for marine ecosystems, causing ecosystem loss, carbon release, and indiscriminate fishing. The legislation would have made such activities illegal in designated areas. Despite the delay, Minister Noonan emphasized the importance of…
The Climate Change Advisory Council is urging the Government to support and incentivize rapid adoption of cost-effective farming measures to reduce agricultural emissions. With agriculture being the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions in the country, accounting for over a third, urgent action is needed. The council also recommends promoting more sustainable diets, including eating less meat, to help reduce emissions. Despite a 4.6% decrease in emissions last year, the agriculture sector is still far from meeting its 25% reduction target by 2030. Incentives for farmers to adopt changes in farming practices and land management, such as using protected…
A panel of independent experts has rated the Irish government’s efforts to address climate commitments in the Programme for Government with a ‘B minus’ grade, marking significant progress from previous years. While improvements have been noted, the experts warn that more urgent action is needed to achieve sustainability goals. The report highlights achievements such as reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and advancements in environmental policies. It also emphasizes the importance of faster implementation to meet national and international climate targets. The experts commend the Government for its role in passing key environmental legislation and initiatives, such as the Nature Restoration…
The Director General of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Laura Burke, shared exciting news outside the EPA’s Dublin office – Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 6.8% last year, marking the second consecutive yearly decline. This progress signifies that climate action in Ireland is making an impact. While Burke acknowledged the need for further reductions to meet 2030 targets, she highlighted the possibility of achieving them. The biggest decline in emissions occurred in the energy sector, primarily due to increased electricity imports from the UK. However, easy fixes like this are not enough to drive transformational change. The transportation sector…
The Need for Sustainable Choices in Insulating and Heating Homes The Climate Change Advisory Council is urging the Government to take more decisive action to help individuals make sustainable choices in insulating and heating their homes. In a recent report, the council highlighted the importance of doubling the rate of energy upgrades to social homes and providing special support for older individuals to create warmer and more comfortable living spaces. The council emphasized the necessity for the Government to facilitate the installation of heat pumps in homes and workplaces by making the process more affordable and accessible. Currently, only a…
The Director General of the Environmental Protection Agency in Ireland has expressed positivity over the 6.8% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the country, marking the lowest levels in 30 years. This significant decrease, equivalent to one tonne of climate pollution per person annually, is attributed to a combination of climate policies, decarbonisation measures, regulations, economics, and individual actions. The reduction in emissions was seen across various sectors, with transport emissions slightly increasing but still lower than pre-Covid levels. The energy industry saw a substantial 21.6% decrease in emissions, while agriculture contributed with a 4.6% reduction. Additionally, residential emissions dropped…
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Director General, Laura Burke, hailed Ireland’s 6.8% reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions as a major achievement. With emissions now at their lowest in 30 years, Burke praised the impact of climate policy and decarbonisation measures. Minister Eamon Ryan also highlighted the shift towards a green economic future. The reduction in emissions was driven by various factors, including an increase in biofuels, more electric cars, and greater use of public transport. The energy industry saw a significant 21.6% decrease, while emissions from agriculture dropped by 4.6%. Despite these positive results, Ireland still falls short of its…
A recent Government report, the “Climate Conversation 2023,” reveals that while awareness of climate change is high in Ireland, a sense of urgency and understanding of individual impact remain challenges. The report, based on input from 12,000 individuals as part of the National Dialogue on Climate Action, emphasizes the gap between climate intentions and actions among the public. The findings indicate that while many people intend to take significant climate actions such as transitioning to electric vehicles or investing in solar panels, barriers such as cost and lack of knowledge hinder progress. Additionally, there are generational and cultural challenges, with…
The Climate Change Advisory Council in Ireland is sounding the alarm on the need for urgent measures to increase the sale of electric vehicles and overhaul taxation in the transport sector. The Council is concerned that current trends, including a rise in demand for petrol and diesel vehicles while electric vehicle sales decline, are pushing the country further away from its emissions targets. The Council is calling on the Government to disincentivize the use of private cars and internal combustion engine vehicles through comprehensive tax reforms, including changes to vehicle registration tax, motor tax, excise duty, carbon tax, fuel pricing,…
A new report is urging the Government to prioritize the use of timber over concrete in building construction to promote sustainability and reduce carbon emissions. The Climate Change Advisory Council is calling for a high-level task force to bolster the timber industry as an eco-friendly alternative to cement production, which is a major source of emissions in Ireland. The report emphasizes the need for rapid adoption of timber in construction and modern building techniques to lower greenhouse gas emissions. In 2020, only 24% of new buildings in Ireland used timber frames, lagging far behind Scotland’s 83% utilization rate. The report…