The Top floor chamber of county hall was home  to a vital think tank on the nation’s future policy affecting all sectors of Irish society. With only days left to input on the national Document which  will be presented at Rio +20 in June, Cork hosted the only regional focus meeting on this crucial issue. ‘The clock is ticking, we need to think strategically about using our finite resources or we will be doomed.  If [...]

Tuesday 13th March, National Botanic Gardens  Detecting climate change impacts on plants and animals Join us for an evening of talks by international and national guest speakers exploring the impact that climate change is having on plants and animals. This event has been organised as a collaboration between the National Botanic Gardens, Environmental Protection Agency, Trinity College Dublin and the National Biodiversity Data Centre as part of Dublin City of Science 2012. Time 7.00pm, Visitor [...]

The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources invites expressions of interest from suitably qualified and experienced persons for appointment to boards of bodies under the aegis of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. Persons wishing to express interest should do so by the deadline of Friday 2 March 2012. Further information is available here.

The battle against hydraulic fracturing (or fracking) in Ireland goes to a new level today as Good Energies Alliance Ireland (GEAI) launches its website (goodenergiesalliance.com) and national awareness-raising and information campaign.  GEAI brings together competent people involved in the campaign against shale gas extraction and the promotion of renewable energy sources and is backed by advisors in the areas of economics, law, science, public health and policy development.  Its plan is to use information and [...]

EPA report calls for step change to meet EU targets for clean water. Nearly half of Ireland’s wastewater treatment plants serving urban centres are failing to achieve national and EU standards, according to a new report released today by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Commenting on the report Mr. Gerard O’Leary, Programme Manager, in the EPA’s Office of Environmental Enforcement said: “This level of performance is poor and needs to improve.  In order to meet [...]

EU countries are not doing enough to stem the flow of illegal and unsustainable timber or regulating its sale, despite the upcoming introduction of two pieces of legislation to halt its import, according to a survey by WWF. While Ireland has improved its performance somewhat, when compared to its 2007 score, “there is no evidance of any commitment to procuring sustainable timber throughout the public sector, according to Just Forests, who coordinated the Irish Government response on behalf of WWF. [...]

The quality of Ireland’s environment is central to our economic recovery, to the creation of jobs, and to the health and well-being of the nation according to Laura Burke, EPA Director General, speaking at the release of the EPA’s Review of 2011. Laura Burke was appointed Director General in November 2011.  A priority for the EPA, she said, is to highlight to citizens the vital connections that exist between the work that the EPA does, [...]

Justice John Quirke asked to chair Forum Jimmy Deenihan, T.D., Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, today (16 February, 2012) welcomed proposals presented to Government by the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association (TCCA) outlining its vision of how the relocation of turf-cutters from raised bog Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) can be achieved. “The TCCA has done considerable work in talking to turf cutters throughout the country and in assessing potential relocation sites.” Minister [...]

The CONSENSUS research project, led by Trinity College Dublin in association with partners at NUI Galway and funded by the EPA STRIVE Programme, has produced two ‘Transition Framework’ documents presenting long-term plans for more sustainable personal washing and home heating practices in Irish households. The Transition Framework documents have arisen out of CONSENSUS research on sustainable water and energy consumption in which an innovative ‘backcasting’ methodology was applied. This involved the engagement of sectoral stakeholders in the [...]

Do you have teenage children or friends who would like to rub shoulders with some of Ireland’s GREAT musicians? Why not ask them to volunteer with Just Forests at The Music Show, being held on February 25 – 26. The group will raffle off an FSC-certified Martin acoustic guitar, valued at 1200 US Dollars-(Donated by Martin Guitars, Pennsylvania, USA), and are looking for volunteers to help sell raffle tickets at their stand. The theme of [...]

An Taisce and the South and East Cork Area Development (SECAD) will launch the ‘SECAD Green Your Community’ project in Little Island on February 24th. ‘SECAD Green Your Community’ is an environmental training programme delivered by An Taisce aimed at empowering and supporting communities in South and East Cork in enhancing their natural environment. Community groups in the SECAD area are already busy conserving their stunning stretches of coastline and green space and regularly undertake [...]

ECO-UNESCO Education and Training Courses ECO-UNESCO is a leading provider of environmental, sustainability and youth training. Sign up today for a short course or accredited training. ECO-UNESCO Short Courses (Winter/Spring) Peer Education & Sustainability Training 23 Feb (Thursday) @ the Greenhouse / 10:00-16:00 FREE for youth workers & youth leaders (Cost: €45* / €50** / €80) Drug Prevention Training for Trainers (ECO-CHOICES) 28 Feb (Tuesday) @ the Greenhouse / 10:00-16:00 Introducing environmental education as a [...]

In 2011 the Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT) National Newt survey continued to reveal some of the secrets of the smooth newt in Ireland. Starting with a pilot project in 2010 the IWT survey is the first comprehensive attempt to study the distribution of this native amphibian in Ireland. Ireland has only three species of native amphibian: the common frog, the Natterjack toad (confined to sand dunes in Kerry and Wexford); and the smooth newt. Results from [...]

The Irish Wildlife Trust wishes to express its disappointment with Minister Coveney’s responses to Maureen O’ Sullivan’s Dáil questions on badger culling. Mr. Coveney said while nobody liked culling “we have a responsibility to protect our beef herds, in particular, and our dairy herds”. He cites a carefully chosen window of statistics to portray a successful reduction in cattle TB levels based on badger culling. The reality of those statistics is that the wider picture [...]

The Irish Wildlife Trust wishes to express its support for a proposed Bill that would outlaw hare coursing in Ireland. The Dáil should follow in the footsteps of the Northern Ireland Assembly which banned this cruel and barbaric practice in 2010. It was banned in Scotland in 2002 and in England and Wales in 2005 – Ireland is an outlier country in terms of its attitude to animal welfare and conservation of its native wildlife. [...]

BirdWatch Ireland carries out a range of research, policy, advocacy and case work focussed on birds, their habitats and wider biodiversity.  BirdWatch Ireland responds to various case work queries and projects, including scoping queries, development applications, and assessments of EIAs and Appropriate Assessments that are relevant to or may impact upon conservation interests. However as an NGO there is a very limited capacity to address case work and in particular to collate background research to [...]

Written by Johnny Woodlock M.Sc., M.I.F.M., Cenv. Sea Fishery Advisory Group, Irish Seal Sanctuary The proposed ban on discards is one of the biggest issues facing fishermen in the proposed reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The EU and the Commissioner believe that it is wrong to throw dead fish away because they cannot be landed due to quota restrictions or size limits. Their belief is backed up by the public and has been [...]

The 3rd annual SmartOcean workshop “Getting more from our marine resources” will be hosted by the Marine Institute, at their headquarters in Oranmore on 2nd and 3rd July 2012. This industry orientated event is aimed at highlighting new commercial and innovation opportunities emerging from Ireland’s SmartOcean Cluster, delivering Hi-Tech products and services to the global marine sector. Keynote speakers will provide insights on emerging markets, policy and innovation opportunities in the Global Marine Sector. Key Focus [...]

Dr Elizabeth Cullen of the Irish Doctors’ Environmental Association believes public health dictates that we should not allow the practice of fracking for fossil fuels to take hold in Ireland. The protection of public health demands constant vigilance and a willingness to learn about new challenges. Along with climate change, our demand for fossil fuels is now posing a new public health problem.  The Lough Allen and Clare basin districts (including counties Cavan, Leitrim, Roscommon, [...]

A new eventful website for greener gatherings in Northern Ireland has just been launched. The green event portal aptly named www.takesplace.info  is set to promote the Province’s sustainable events, activities and blogs free of charge, with links to other environment-caring websites locally, nationally and internationally. With sustainability as the driving force behind the site, any events that fit the bill may be uploaded with accompanying image and interesting feedback or news included on the site’s [...]

Overview: The World Resources Institute (WRI) is seeking a Director to lead its Institutions and Governance Program (IGP). IGP works with networks of analysts and advocates around the world to empower people and support institutions to foster environmentally sound and socially equitable decision-making. By partnering with governmental and non-governmental organizations in more than 50 countries, IGP’s current staff of 23 promotes greater transparency, inclusiveness, representativeness and accountability in decisions regarding natural re! sources and the [...]

ECO-UNESCO is delighted to announce the continued support from Toyota. Toyota is providing €20,000 in Seed Grants in 2012 to support the ECO-UNESCO ‘Clubs in Action’ programme 2012 as well as providing the organisation with the latest Toyota Prius.  The programme was launched by Rugby star Paul O’Connell. The ECO-UNESCO ‘Clubs in Action’ programme offers ECO-UNESCO Clubs the opportunity to apply for Seed Grants to carry out a day-long or weekend activity to raise awareness about an [...]

At the beginning of the 1980′s there was little talk of the conservation of peatlands of Ireland.  However in 1982 this was all to change.  Following a debate on the future of Irish bogs in University College Dublin the Irish Peatland Conservation Council was established.  This year the Irish Peatland Conservation Council celebrates its 30th anniversary.  You can be part of the action in 2012 by joining the Irish Peatland Conservation Council at one of [...]

Just Forests welcomes the Irish Government’s  financial contribution of 150,000 EURO towards ‘closer involvement in tackling forest loss in developing countries’ which was announced on 30th January 2012. It is a significant financial contribution. But how is it going to be spent? Will the money end up in some big black hole like other international mechanism that have swallowed billions of EUROS but the problems they were destined to resolve are still with us. Has [...]

FETAC Accredited Training Courses Introduction to Sustainable Development (FETAC L5) Feb – Mar @ the Greenhouse INTENSIVE 4 Day Course (24-25 Feb & 23-24 Mar (Fri-Sat) http://ecounesco.ie/ecodev/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=219&Itemid=27 Anyone interested in learning more about sustainable development including: professionals, local authorities, businesses, teachers, youth leaders, community workers, young people under 25 and the general public.                         ECO-UNESCO Short Courses Environmental Education Day 2: 8 Feb (Wed) 10:00-16:00 @ the Greenhouse Programme development & Curriculum Links http://www.ecounesco.ie/eco-dev/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=278&Itemid=27 Youth [...]

Winter Pruning  February 18th with Kevin Dudley (Orchard Manager for 10yrs with Irish Seed Savers) Hedge Laying for Beginner’s  February 25th with The Hedge Laying Association of Ireland Organic Gardening for Beginners  March 21st 8 week course (or individual) Grafting Fruit Trees  March 24th with Kevin Dudley (Orchard Manager for 10yrs with Irish Seed Savers) The complete Organic Garden Course  Day 1 – 25th Feb – Introduction to the centre, tour of the gardens, crop [...]

The Cloughjordan Community Farm In association with the National Organic Training Skillnet (NOTS), The Soil Association (UK), Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association (IOFGA), URGENCI – Global Network of CSA’s, Cloughjordan Ecovillage, Cultivate, and FEASTA present “Growing Together”, an all-Ireland conference on  Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) 17th, 18th & 19th of February * Cloughjordan, Tipperary The aim of this weekend conference is to introduce the CSA concept to communities and growers on the island of Ireland. [...]

The Minister for the Environment, Community & Local Government, Phil Hogan, T.D., has published (31st January 2012) a plan for the implementation of the recommendations of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Review Group. The independent Review Group, established in February 2010 to review the scope, mandate, structure and performance of the EPA, presented its report in May 2011. This report contains 58 recommendations across a number of different themes such as governance, resources and licensing. [...]

Young Europeans with a fresh vision of a sustainable future are invited to participate in a video competition, with the opportunity to win cash and a trip to Copenhagen. The contest asks participants to submit a video on their vision for sustainable living in 20 years’ time. It is open to Europeans born in 1991, 1992 or 1993. Competition “Generation ’92″  has been organised by the European Environment Agency (EEA). It has been launched in [...]

-Guidelines Will Help Job Creation and Economic Development- Mr. Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister of Environment, Community and Local Government, Ms. Jan O’Sullivan, T.D., Minister for Housing and Planning, together with Mr. Leo Varadkar, T.D., Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, and Mr. Alan Kelly, T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Public and Commuter Transport today (31 January 2012) jointly published statutory planning guidelines for local authorities on Spatial Planning and National Roads.  http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Planning/ The [...]