In the UK, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has published details of how it will license the storage of carbon dioxide under the seabed in a response to industry comments on its recent proposal for carbon storage schemes.

The lobby group, Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE), has written to President Mary McAleese urging her to convene the Council of State with a view to referring the planning Act to the Supreme Court to test its constitutionality.

As the Dáil rose for summer recess, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan announced that, of the 13 Acts that have been passed during this Dáil session, 5 emanated from his Department.

The European Commission has launched a public consultation on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) legislation of the EU.

The Taoiseach has won a High Court order overturning the Commissioner for Environmental Information’s decision ordering the release to a Dublin man of a document containing information of a 2003 Cabinet discussion of greenhouse gas emissions.

The Government expects to publish the heads of the Climate Change Bill within four weeks, according to Environment Minister, John Gormley.

Northern Ireland Minister Michelle Gildernew has secured the final approval of the Assembly to important new legislation on forestry.

Greens/EFA deputy Jill Evans, the European Parliament's rapporteur on the restriction of hazardous substances (RoHS) directive, said a committee vote on the draft law has sent a "clear signal" about the dangers of hazardous chemicals used in electrical and electronic equipment.

A watered-down Bill, aimed at curbing greenhouse gas emissions and boosting the use of renewable and nuclear energy, has been endorsed by US president Barack Obama.