News | Latest Breaking News Stories & Headlines

Cars stuck in traffic as they try make way away from coast in Hawaii

EU to yield on combustion engines ban after pressure

The European Commission is set to backtrack on the EU's planned ban on new combustion-engine cars from 2035 by allowing continued sales of some non-electric vehicles following intense pressure from Germany, Italy and Europe's auto sector.

Business • 5 hrs

EU to widen carbon border levy, draft shows

The European Union plans to extend its carbon border levy to cover car parts, refrigerators and washing machines, draft documents seen by Reuters today showed, in a bid to close loopholes that the bloc feared would allow foreign manufacturers to dodge climate costs.

Business • 6 hrs

A white Ford truck being shown at a car show

Ford retreats from EVs, takes $19.5 billion charge

Ford Motor said it will take a $19.5 billion writedown and is ending the manufacture of several electric-vehicle models, in the most dramatic example yet of the car industry's retreat from battery-powered models in response to the Trump administration's policies and weakening EV demand.

Business • 6 hrs

Kerry was once again the country's highest producing county for wind energy - at 128 GWh - in November

Second best November on record for Irish wind farms

Wind farms provided 35% of the country's electricity last month, new figures from Wind Energy Ireland show - the second highest on record for a November month.

Business • 6 hrs

Overhead view of a car park full of new cars

EU may rethink its 2035 combustion car ban

The European Commission is expected tomorrow to reverse the EU's effective ban on sales of new combustion-engine cars from 2035, bowing to intense pressure from Germany, Italy and European automakers struggling against Chinese and US rivals.

Business • 11 hrs

Geopolitical volatility becomes a top concern for firms

Geopolitical volatility has become one of the top risks facing companies in Ireland - as well as those in Europe and around the world - for the first time, according to a new survey.

Business • 11 Dec

EU members to cut emissions by 90% by 2040 from 1990 mark

The EU has reached a legally binding climate agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040 from 1990 levels, involving the purchase of foreign carbon credits to cover 5% of the cuts, the European Parliament said.

Business • 10 Dec

Flags of the European Union in front of the Berlaymont Building

EU deal to further weaken corporate sustainability laws

European Union members and parliament reached a deal today to cut corporate sustainability laws, after months of pressure from companies and governments, including the US and Qatar.

Business • 09 Dec

Widely used solar brands tied to forced labour in China

Solar panels used widely across Ireland were sourced from companies linked to forced labour and environmental devastation in the Xinjiang region of China.

RTÉ Investigates • 09 Dec

Global warming, Global boiling, from the climate crisis and the catastrophic heatwave, Climate change, the sun and burning Heatwave hot sun

2025 on track to tie second hottest year on record

The planet is on track to log its second hottest year on record in 2025, tied with 2023 after a historic high in 2024, Europe's global warming monitor has said.

Climate Change • 09 Dec

Greencoat Renewables names Byrne as its new chairman

Wind and solar energy group Greencoat Renewables has appointed former AIB chief executive Bernard Byrne as its new chairman.

Business • 04 Dec

Three men and a woman in high-vis jackets cutting a red ribbon

Greenvolt Next delivers solar farm for Sanofi, Waterford

Renewable energy solutions specialist Greenvolt Next, part of Greenvolt Group, has completed the development of a 4 MW solar PV plant for biopharmaceutical firm Sanofi in Co Waterford.

Business • 04 Dec

Norway to examine scenarios for post-oil economy

Norway said today it will set up a commission to study potential scenarios for the country's post-oil economy, a commitment the Greens Party secured in exchange for backing the government's 2026 budget bill.

Business • 03 Dec

Children from Thomond Primary School wearing Christmas jumpers

School recycles over 700 Christmas jumpers in four years

School children in Limerick are getting into the festive spirit and helping to protect the environment by swapping their Christmas jumpers.

Munster • 03 Dec

First solar PV farm on Shannon airfield - Pic - Petula Martin - RTE

First solar farm on Irish airfield officially opens

The first solar farm on an airfield in Ireland has been officially opened at Shannon Airport.

Munster • 28 Nov

ESB, Orsted win 900 MW Irish offshore wind tender

The rights to develop a 900 megawatt (MW) offshore wind farm have been awarded to a joint venture between the ESB Group and Denmark's Orsted.

Business • 26 Nov

Image of green An Post electric vehicles with An Post's David McRedmond and Owen Keogh

An Post achieves 50% CO2 target ahead of schedule

An Post said it has achieved a 50% reduction in carbon emissions three months ahead of schedule - one of the first national postal organisations in the world to reach this milestone.

Business • 26 Nov

Signage during the COP30 climate summit in Belem

UN slams 'meagre results' and 'fatal inaction' at COP30

The UN rights chief has lamented the "meagre results" at the COP30 climate summit, warning that the "fatal inaction" of leaders might one day be considered a crime against humanity.

Climate • 24 Nov

Grass to gas plant opens in Duleek Co Meath - Pic Laura Hogan - RTE

New 'grass to gas' plant being launched in Co Meath

A new "grass to gas" agricultural biomethane plant is set to provide enough energy to heat two pharmaceutical manufacturing sites by the end of next year.

Leinster • 24 Nov

COP30 President Andre Correa do Lago (centre) gestures next to his advisers after the plenary session was interrupted

Reaction to COP30 ranges from disappointment to support

Reaction to the COP30 agreement ranges from deep disappointment to qualified support.

Climate Change • 24 Nov

HUE PROVINCE, VIETNAM - NOVEMBER 22: A view of the flooded areas as the city of Hue slowly returns to normal, with some locations still cut off, in Hue Province, Vietnam, on November 22, 2025. Floods unlike anything Vietnam has seen in decades have left 6

Vietnam flood death toll rises to 90, 12 others missing

The death toll from major flooding in Vietnam has risen to 90, with 12 people still missing, the environment ministry has said, after days of heavy rain and landslides.

World • 23 Nov

Minister for Climate Darragh O'Brien speaking at COP30

COP30 negotiations at difficult stage, says minister

Minister for Climate Energy and Environment, Darragh O'Brien, who is attending the COP30 summit at Belem in Brazil has said the climate negotiations have reached a difficult stage.

Climate Change • 21 Nov

UK, Truck driver talking to driving instructor

Firms' climate actions fall short of ambitions - report

A report that looks at the climate action of a number of significant Irish businesses says they are showing strong leadership and governance on climate action, but not making sufficient progress towards the actual reduction in emissions.

Business • 21 Nov

Picture of so-called 'wonky carrots' on a white plate

Increased food security efforts amid climate pressures

Food security was a major focus at COP30 in Brazil this week, as countries try to adapt to the impact climate change is having on food production.

Ireland • 21 Nov

'Unstoppable momentum' toward renewables, says Robinson

Former President for Ireland and now member of the Elders Mary Robinson has said that although there is a lot of momentum and energy at the COP30 climate negotiations in Belém, a good final decision has not yet been reached.

Climate Change • 20 Nov