World racing towards climate breach
Global temperatures from the past three years averaged more than 1.5°C above the pre-industrial level, the EU’s earth observation programme, Copernicus, has warned. Climate scientists say that the latest data…
Tap water to be monitored for forever chemicals
New rules require that all tap water across the EU must be systematically monitored for so-called ‘forever chemicals’ for the first time. The new law requires that levels of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances…
SEAI: Record levels of eco homes and electric cars
A record number of people invested in making their homes more energy efficient last year, according to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). More than 58,000 home energy upgrades…
European Parliament demands help to decarbonise fisheries
The European Parliament has called for the EU to help fishermen and women ensure Europe’s fishing industry goes carbon neutral by 2050. MEPs said in a “modernisation of the EU…
EU demands Ireland fined over water pollution
The European Commission is taking Ireland back to the court to demand the state is fined for what the EU believes is systemic and prolonged water pollution. The European Commission…
Environmentalists criticise EU nitrates derogation
Environmentalists have criticised a decision to give Ireland another derogation from strict rules in the EU’s nitrates directive. The European Environment Bureau (EEB) which works in Brussels on behalf of…
Ireland gets nitrate derogation but stricter limits apply
The EU’s Nitrates Committee has approved Ireland’s request for a further three-year derogation to EU water pollution law. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD said Ireland…
Government pledges faster wind farm approval process
The government has pledged to speed up the approval of major infrastructure projects after criticism from the European Union. A report by the former Prime Minister of Italy, Mario Draghi,…
Environment Agency calls for better port and airport air pollution monitoring
Air pollution remains Europe’s largest environmental health risk despite a big fall in the number of deaths across Europe, the European Environment Agency (EEA) has warned. A new analysis by…
EU to propose three-year extension to Ireland’s nitrates derogation
The European Commission has prepared the legal text to renew Ireland’s nitrates derogation. It is understood that the EU will propose an extension for another three years. The document has…