The EPA, in partnership with Dublin City Council, is delighted to welcome Professor Stefan Rahmstorf, Co-Head of the Research Department on Earth System Analysis of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and Professor of Physics of the Oceans, at the University of Potsdam, Brandenburg, Germany.
The public lecture will take place on Wednesday next, April 19th at 7:00pm, in the Round Room in the Mansion House, Dublin and will also be streamed online. This lecture forms part of the National Dialogue on Climate Action.
Professor Rahmstorf is internationally renowned for his work linking climate change to significant slowdown in the Gulf Stream System. He will discuss how continued melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet in the coming decades could contribute to further weakening of the Gulf Stream, with important consequences for the ocean ecosystem, the weather in the North Atlantic region, regional sea levels and the ocean’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide. He will explore how close we already are to the Gulf Stream tipping point.
Professor Rahmstorf will also comment on his recent examination of fossil fuel companies’ awareness of the seriousness of climate change over 40 years ago, and the difference between their public statements and internal knowledge. Ms Laura Burke, Director General EPA said, “We are delighted to welcome Professor Rahmstorf to speak on the topic of climate change impacts on the Gulf Stream and how information on climate change is shaped. As an island nation on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, Ireland is especially exposed to climate-driven changes in the North Atlantic.” Ms Burke added, “Understanding the evolution of climate change and the ocean is essential if we are to understand our future. This knowledge can help inform policy to manage our responses and adapt to the future climate conditions.”
This free event requires registration through the following link HERE. The event will also be recorded and uploaded to the EPA YouTube channel.
For further information contact: Emily Williamson, EPA Media Relations Office, Telephone 053-9170770 (24 hours) or media@epa.ie.
“The Town Centre First policy aims to create town centres that function as viable, vibrant and attractive locations for people to live, work and visit, while also functioning as the service, social, cultural and recreational hub for the local community”. Quote Tipperary County Council.
The poem hereunder could easily have been written, following a visit by the poetess to Thurles, Co. Tipperary over the past number of years. The now abandoned, half upgraded, Thurles town centre; known as Liberty Square, once a busy hive of industry, is no more. Tipperary County Council officials, together with out-of-town consultants, civil engineers, local town councillors and not one, but two government politicians, have successfully rid this town centre of most of its thriving businesses, together with their associated consumers. Yes, the lights continue to burn 24 hours each day on Liberty Square, but few walked the street area, on what should have been one of the busiest days of the 2023 calendar.
Liberty Square, Thurles, Co. Tipperary. Pic: G. Willoughby. [Easter Saturday, 3:15pm. 2023]
“Progress”
Poem borrowed courtesy of the authoress Ms Julie Axford.
I don’t go down the High Street now, there’s nothing for me there. It’s full of shops that do your nails, or cut and colour hair. I don’t go down the High Street now and neither does my wife. What used to be a thriving hub, is now devoid of life. They’re building shops way out of town, there’s nowhere else to go. The High Street, I’m afraid to say, has hit an all-time low. The High Street used to sing and dance, at least it did to me, But now it’s sadly out of step and painfully off-key. But way back in the heyday when the High Street was the King, Oh you could spend all day down there and buy just anything! But now the King has lost his Crown, no longer does he reign. He’s been dethroned by hyper stores and supermarket chains. Just like a vampire in the night, they swooped down from the sky. They forced the people out of town and sucked the High Streets dry. We used to have so many shops for all that we might need, For furniture, for shoes and clothes and cakes or books to read. Butchers, bakers, fishmongers, sold fresh and wholesome stuff, And though our families were not rich, we all ate well enough. But now they’ve gone, it’s progress see, yes all have been replaced, By takeaways and coffee shops with all their plastic waste! With automatic checkout tills appearing everywhere. No conversation, pleasantries or anecdotes to share. I heard it said that money talks, at first I had my doubts, And I was right, it doesn’t talk, money bloody shouts! It’s always been the same of course, it’s human nature, see. We have to travel with the times, that’s how it has to be. The kids today they say I’m old and I of course agree. They say the future is for them and not the likes of me. My answer flutters on the breeze, a flag that’s flown half-mast. “I wouldn’t want your future kids…I much prefer my past.”
Ireland’s power generation and industrial emissions decreased by four percent in 2022
In 2022, greenhouse gas emissions from Irish power generation and industrial companies, covered by the EU Emissions Trading System, decreased by 4 %.
Emissions decreased by 2 % from the electricity generation sector.
The decrease in industrial emissions is over 7 %, with the cement industry emissions decreasing by almost 9%.
In contrast, greenhouse gas emissions from aviation increased dramatically by approximately 94 % compared to 2021, which reflects continued growth in this sector after the impact of Covid-19.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as the Competent Authority in Ireland for the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), today released its preliminary analysis of greenhouse gas emissions in 2022, from the ETS sector.
Emissions from Irish power generation and industrial companies decreased by 4 % (more than 600.000 tonnes) in 2022. This compares with a decrease of approximately 1.2 % across Europe, according to preliminary analysis by carbon analysts of the data released today by the EU Commission. Ireland’s ETS sector delivered a decrease in emissions in 2022 due to a combination of factors, including increased use of renewable electricity and renewable fuels as well as a decrease in cement production.
In the electricity sector there was less use of coal and peat fired generation compared to the previous year, as conventional gas generation was available along with renewable energy. Fossil fired power stations continued to play a strong role in meeting a high electricity demand.
Ms Laura Burke, EPA Director General said: “While the decrease we are seeing for 2022 from the emissions trading sector is welcome, 2022 emissions are in fact slightly above the pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Much more needs to be done if the sectoral targets under the 2023 Climate Action Plan are to be reached. The challenges faced in the power generation sector are in sharp focus at the moment. Decisions taken now must recognise the urgency of the climate change challenge and support the delivery of reductions in emissions through the development and roll out of a range of low carbon and renewable solutions.” Aside from power generation, the decrease in industrial emissions is seven per cent.
Cement industries recorded a 9 % decrease overall, due to a drop in production and a small increase in the use of biofuels.
Emissions from pharmachem industries decreased by almost 3 %.
Aviation emissions from flights within the European Economic Area reported to Ireland by 31st March increased by 94 %, compared to 2021, to over 10 million tonnes. This is still lower than the pre-pandemic levels of 12.8 million tonnes. While some restructuring of routes has taken place – and some operators previously reporting to UK are reporting to Ireland – nevertheless the emissions data reflect that there was a strong recovery of the sector in 2022.
Dr Ms Maria Martin, EPA Senior Manager, said: “The increase in aviation emissions highlights the need to reduce the carbon intensity of air travel, including through the use of sustainable aviation fuels. In addition to other EU initiatives, the revised ETS Directive, shortly to be published, will incentivise the use of such fuels.”
In Ireland, 107 major industrial and institutional sites were required to report their emissions for 2022 by 31st March 2023 in the EU Emissions Trading System. These include sites operating in the power generation, cement, lime, and oil refining sectors. Also included are large companies in sectors such as food & drink, pharmaceuticals and semi-conductors.
Details of the verified emissions of greenhouse gases in 2022 are available on the EU’s website HERE. The data are not complete for all Member states. Analysis of the EU data can be found in Carbon Pulse, HERE. Further details about Emissions Trading are available on the EPA website HERE. Further information about Ireland’s overall greenhouse gas emissions is also available HERE and the EPA has developed useful infographics and published the detailed greenhouse gas inventory HERE.
Government Department reporting on 2021 procurement shows that there was a low level of inclusion of green criteria in contracts over €25,000.
This low level of implementation is a missed opportunity for Government Departments to purchase more resource efficient and less polluting goods, services and works within the marketplace.
The EPA calls on all Government Departments to place an urgent focus on green public procurement implementation.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today published its second report on Green Public Procurement (GPP) activity in Government Departments. GPP is a process where public authorities seek to source goods, services or works that have a reduced environmental impact throughout their life-cycle, when compared to goods, services and works with the same primary function that would otherwise be procured. The report, which is for 2021 and relates to procurement by 18 Government Departments, shows that – of the reported spend of over €528 million on contracts over €25,000 signed in 2021 – only 10% included green criteria.
Launching the report Ms Laura Burke, (EPA Director General), said: “It is disappointing that there has been a low level of implementation of Green Public Procurement in Government Departments in 2021, even lower than that reported in 2020. This is a missed opportunity for Government Departments to purchase more resource efficient and less polluting goods, services and works. The public sector must play a leadership role. Green Public Procurement sends a powerful signal to the marketplace that Ireland’s government sector is committed to reducing emissions and protecting our environment while saving money over the full lifecycle of goods and services.”
The EPA calls on Government Departments to place an urgent focus on Green Public Procurement. The report sets out five key recommendations:
to assign senior level resources with responsibility to ensure GPP is incorporated into procurement processes.
to update the Corporate Procurement Plan to include GPP.
to ensure relevant staff receive GPP training and are aware of the available guidance and resources.
to ensure there are tracking systems to monitor and report on GPP.
to ensure that GPP data is published in Government Department Annual Reports.
The EPA has supported GPP implementation through the provision of national guidance and green criteria for priority sectors, training for public sector procurers, monitoring & reporting on GPP implementation in Government Departments and inputs to the Office of Government Procurement’s online GPP Search Tool. A National GPP Strategy and Action Plan led by Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications is currently under development and plans to set targets for GPP implementation, and roles and responsibilities regarding GPP training, guidance, monitoring and reporting. The report ‘Green Public Procurement: Monitoring and Reporting by Government Departments, 2021 Reference Year’ is now available on the EPA website HERE.
Further information: Emily Williamson, EPA Media Relations Office Tel: 053-9170770 (24 hours) or media@epa.ie
We pointed out previously, in November last, the total lack of Litter Bins provided on the Suir river walkway here in Thurles, resulting in cheap wine bottles, cans and other litter being dumped into an already polluted and slowly dying river.
But another problem has also now arisen. Overgrown Willow tree branches are holding back our floating filth, (plastic bags, drink cans, waxed paper tubs, milk cartons, wine and beer bottles); and this litter filth, in turn, is holding back footballs (we counted 6) and tennis balls (we counted 4), close to the edge of the river bank.
Above 3 separate images demonstrate a need for Lifebuoys on River Suir in Thurles.
So what’s the problem, I hear you ask? The river Suir is presently in flood and some child or indeed adult is likely to attempt to retrieve one of these footballs. Should any person slip into the river, there is not one item that can be used, with which to assist in their recovery from this extremely deep water.
There is not one Lifebuoy or Life Ring in the vicinity of this unguarded river. The purchase cost of one MOB Ring with 30m of floating rope costs a mere €17.00. A galvanised steel pole and base for use as a Lifebuoy Case, is more expensive at €166.50, but when you consider how much money is already wasted by Tipperary Co. Council on other projects; the cost of basic lifesaving equipment is a mere pittance in comparison.
Readers, do take a stroll along this unguarded river walk yourself, next fine day, and surely you will agree three Lifebuoys are immediately required to meet the basic need for health and safety. Note also people have carved out their own grass path close to the river’s edge, preferring same to the overpriced tarmacadam strips.
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