The Irish Times has reported that consumers are facing
a substantial hike in energy costs next year as fuel
prices hit suppliers such as the ESB and Bord Gáis.
Many food and drinks processing companies have much
to do before they can claim to be operating sustainably
in terms of water consumption, according to a new report
published by the Ecumenical Council for Corporate
Responsibility (ECCR)[1].
The Irish government has launched its campaign in favour
of the EU treaty with the new Taoiseach, Brian Cowen
TD, calling for a 'yes' vote in next month's referendum.
The global carbon market grew to US$64 billion (€47
billion) in 2007 - more than doubling over 2006 - according
to a new report from the World Bank - State and Trends
of the Carbon Market 2008.
ScottishPower Renewables and partner Eurus Energy are
seeking to redevelop one of the UK's oldest wind farms
in Powys, mid-Wales, in a project which will treble
the energy output of the site.
As part of its effort to combat climate change, the
European Commission has announced that it would promote
the use of ICT (Information and Communications Technologies)
to improve energy efficiency throughout the economy
- starting with buildings, lighting and the power grid.
As several of Ireland's top companies faced criticism
for their water consumption earlier this month, the
University of Twente in the Netherlands has launched
an online water footprint calculator.
The Earthrace eco-boat has successfully avoided delay
in its attempt to beat the round-the-world speed record
and completed its transit through the Panama Canal.
EU industry commissioner Günter Verheugen has
signalled that the European Commission may need to make
more concessions on its green proposal for cars, as
the automobile industry appears unlikely to start producing
more environmentally friendly cars by 2012.
Greenstar, Ireland’s largest waste management company,
has announced (12 May) a €20 million redevelopment of
its Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) in Bray, Co.
Wicklow.
The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local
Government, Mr John Gormley, TD, has announced (12 May)
the publication of a study investigating the social
and economic aspects of biodiversity in Ireland.
AgCert International, the Irish greenhouse gas emissions
trader in receivership with debts of up to €95m,
is to be rescued by US electricity generating group
AES in a deal worth €27m.
The Sunday Business Post has reported that NTR,
the Irish utilities group, has expressed an interest
in buying the Irish operation of Marathon Oil, which
produces about 8 per cent of the country’s gas.
Mr. John Gormley, TD, Minister for the Environment,
Heritage and Local Government, has made an order appointing
Thursday, 12th June 2008 as the polling day at the referendum
on the proposal for the amendment of the Constitution
contained in the Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution
Bill 2008.
The Irish Times has reported that the search
for a site for a new regional sewerage plant for the
greater Dublin area is to resume more than three years
after the original location at Portrane in north Dublin
was rejected by Fingal county councillors.
The CEOs of 19 corporations - such as the Dow Chemical
Company, Unilever and Westpac Bank - have signed a letter
calling on G8 leaders to address the issue of water
during their upcoming Hokkaido Toyako Summit from July
7-9 in Japan.
Friends Provident has just published a Corporate Responsibility
Review and a more detailed online Corporate Responsibility
Performance Report 07 - Living Corporate Responsibility.
A study of the great tit - Parus major - population
in Wytham Woods, near Oxford in the UK, has shown that
the birds are now laying their eggs, on average, two
weeks earlier than half a century ago.
An IT system that was supposed to make British Gas
the darling of consumers nationwide in the UK, has,
instead, become the focus of a multimillion-pound legal
battle.
From time-to-time, local authorities prepare and publish
Local Area & Development Plans. These Plans, initially,
are available for a period of public consultation.
To view the current Plans - Click
Here
The National Water Conference 2008, entitled - 'Working
Together to Protect Water from Catchment to Consumer'
- will take place on 11th and 12th June 2008 in the
Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill, Galway.
Property developers across Northern Ireland are facing
a knotty problem that threatens the local wildlife and
has the potential to damage new buildings.
Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources,
Eamon Ryan TD has launched the IWEA's comprehensive
new guidelines on best practice for on-shore wind projects
in Ireland.
A Wicklow businessman has been fined €1m for putting
the drinking water in Blessington at risk of contamination
by illegally dumping dry industrial waste on a site
there.
The Minister for Communications Energy and Natural
Resources, Mr. Eamon Ryan TD, has welcomed the signing
into law of new Regulations by Minister Micheál
Martin amending the remit of Science Foundation Ireland
(SFI) to include sustainable energy and energy-efficient
technologies.
NTR plc - through its North American ethanol business,
VBV LLC (VBV) - has entered into a definitive merger
agreement with Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. (GPRE)
that will create one of the largest ethanol companies
in the industry.
Minister for the Environment, Heritage & Local Government,
John Gormley TD has warmly welcomed the GAA's initiative
to make Croke Park carbon neutral as part of its effort
to tackle the effects of global warming.
Members of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate
Change and Energy Security visited Galway for detailed
briefings on the Marine Institute’s programme to understand
the key drivers of climate change in Ireland by studying
forces at work in the Atlantic Ocean.
Bord Gáis Networks has launched its first Annual
Transmission Development Statement, which provides
a seven-year forecast of the demand for natural gas,
sources of supply and the infrastructure requirements
of the Bord Gáis transmission system.
A new approach to coastal management in Cork Harbour
was unveiled by Micheál Martin TD, Minister for
Foreign Affairs, when he launched a new Management Strategy
for the Harbour in Cobh, Co. Cork.
The extension of Science Foundation Ireland's remit
to include sustainable energy and energy-efficient technologies
research has been welcomed by Professor Frank Gannon,
Director General, Science Foundation Ireland (SFI).
Irish householders use more gas, electricity and solid
fuel to heat and light their homes than consumers in
Europe’s coldest and darkest countries, figures have
revealed.
Waterford Stanley - the Irish indigenous manufacturer
- says they've seen a marked swing back to their cast-iron
stoves, with particular emphasis on enamel.
Northern Ireland Water Ltd (NIW), has been fined £5000
plus court costs of £46 and analytical costs of £155,
at Antrim Magistrates Court, for pollution offences.
On behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise,
Trade and Employment, Michael Ahern TD, launched the
Enterprise Europe Network in Ireland - a new
and extensive European business and technology partnering
network for companies.
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