George Lee

Environment Correspondent

The study suggests Ireland's sea temperatues will be significantly greater than currently predicted

Irish sea temperatures rise more than previously thought

The temperature in the seas around Ireland has increased substantially more since the last ice age than previously estimated, according to a new international study led by University of Galway.

Climate Change • 24 Oct 24

The council is calling for increases in supports to improve home insulation

Cost of missing climate targets 'could exceed €8bn'

The Climate Change Advisory Council has said that although greenhouse gas emissions fell in most sectors last year, the rate of progress is not enough to meet national and EU climate obligations.

Climate Change • 23 Oct 24

Part of the Commission's job is to anticipate and inform long-term climate policy and investment planning

Government appoints 11-member Just Transition Commission

The Government has approved the appointment of 11 members to the Just Transition Commission for an initial three-year term.

Ireland • 22 Oct 24

The first ever quarterly emissions data from the EPA shows electricity imports accounted for 11% of all electricity used in Ireland during the first three months of this year

Gas emissions dropped 2.2% in first three months of 2024

Progress on cutting Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions continued during the first three months of the year with an overall reduction of 2.2% in emissions compared with the same period in 2023, according to a new quarterly emissions report from the Environmental Protection Agency.

Environment • 22 Oct 24

The new grants will fund 70% of the cost of installing the chargers

Grants for EV charging provision on national road network

A new grant scheme has been launched for the installation of high-powered fast-charging hubs for electric vehicles on the national road network.

Environment • 17 Oct 24

Flooding in Poland earlier this year caused widespread damage

EU faces climate losses of up to €175bn per year - court

The EU Court of Auditors has said that economic losses from extreme climate-related events would cost EU countries between €42bn and €175bn per year if average global temperatures rise by 1.5-3C.

Environment • 16 Oct 24

Basking sharks were among the many species sighted in the report

Aerial survey confirms rich biodiversity of marine waters

A two-year long aerial survey by a team of researchers at University College Cork has provided new details of a rich biodiversity in Ireland's marine waters.

Environment • 16 Oct 24

The EPA has identified 73 priority areas where urgent fixes are needed to protect the environment (file pic)

Slow wastewater treatment upgrades unacceptable - EPA

The Environmental Protection Agency has said the slow pace of delivery of wastewater treatment upgrades by Uisce Éireann is unacceptable.

Environment • 11 Oct 24

The Government has committed to designating 30% of Ireland's seas as Marine Protected Areas by 2030

Minister frustrated with delays in marine protection bill

Minister of State for Nature Malcolm Noonan has said that he is disappointed and frustrated that progress on the Marine Protected Areas Bill has become delayed, and that it will now take until at least the end of the year before a final draft of the bill can be published.

Ireland • 07 Oct 24

The EPA said that for too long Ireland has merely aimed to 'get by', aspiring to only minimum environmental standards that in many instances, we don't even reach

Ireland's 'get by' climate plans threaten progress - EPA

The Environmental Protection Agency has warned that progress, economic prosperity, and health are all threatened unless Ireland increases the scale, pace, and ambition of environmental action.

Climate Change • 03 Oct 24