Missing climate change and renewable energy targets will cost the State well in excess of €150m as emissions continue to rise. The Government has admitted it will miss 2020 emission reduction and renewable energy targets, and has undertaken “informal discussions” with EU neighbours with a view to minimising the cost of compliance, the Dáil Committee...

Many citizens and communities already get involved in taking care of the environment they live, work and play in.  The See It? Say It! phone application, developed by the EPA, helps to collect and direct your environmental concern to the correct local authority so that they can take action and address it. What can you report when...

Ireland’s residential energy use and carbon emissions are rising again. That is according to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), who published its detailed analysis, Energy in the Residential Sector.  Between 2014 and 2016, CO2 emissions from the sector increased by almost 7%, having fallen by almost a quarter between 2005 and 2014. SEAI indicates that...

The Industrial Emissions Directive 2010/75/EU (IED) is aimed at reducing emissions from industrial production processes using an integrated approach to management environmental emissions and impact. In the past the Environmental Protection Agency in Ireland has issued Waste Licences and IPPC Licences for activities which are listed in the Third and Fourth Schedules to the Waste Management...

Anaerobic Digestion (AD) is the conversion of feedstock (any organic non-woody material) by micro-organisms in the absence of oxygen into biogas and digestate. Manure and other possible biomass feedstocks are inserted into a large, sealed airless container. In this oxygen free environment, bacteria will produce biogas. In most digesters the contents will be heated to accelerate the...

Europe’s €31bn a year carbon market is finally starting to work the way it was intended, reining in pollution with a minimum of squealing from industry. Thirteen years after it was created to limit carbon-dioxide emissions, prices for the allowances are rising. EU policymakers have enacted measures expected to keep the cost of pollution on an upward trajectory...

The EPA has published figures for emissions of five key air pollutants. These pollutants impact air quality in Ireland and further afield, causing respiratory problems, pollution of soil and surface water, and damage to vegetation.  This latest information from the EPA shows that Ireland exceeded its emission limits for ammonia for the first time in 2016 and...

If you use solvents, it is likely that either the Solvent Regulations 2012 or EPA Act will apply to you. Solvent Regulations Act The Solvent Regulations are aimed at solvent users who use between 1 tonne and 10 tonnes per year.  Such users must obtain a Certificate of Compliance from their local authority.  This certificate...

Lean and environmental (Lean/Green) funding supports are available from: Local Enterprise Offices for small and micro companies Udaras Na Gaeltachta for companies located in Gaeltacht regions Enterprise Ireland for indigenous companies, exporting and typically employing more than 10 employees. Also for Multi-national companies using natural resources. Industrial Development Authority (IDA) for Foreign owned companies The state...

Under the Water Services (No 2) Act 2013, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) approves Irish Water’s Water Charges Plan, which sets out water services charges with regard to new connections, special meter reads, meter testing, and charges for provision of water and wastewater services to domestic and non-domestic customers. In approving the Water Charges...