Public awareness and the recognition of the challenges of climate change in the last few years has risen considerably, yet studies suggest far more action on reducing harmful emissions in Ireland is needed. The State of the Environment report in Ireland produced last year by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) highlighting what scale of effort was needed.
The recent decision by Eamon Ryan, the Minister for Environment and Climate Bord na Móna (BnaM) to invest €108 million and €18 million into the rehabilitation of 33,000 hectares of degraded bogs to generate climate and biodiversity benefits. The cabinet has approved funding for the large-scale peatlands restoration project, which will create 310 jobs and will contribute to Ireland’s target of being carbon-neutral by 2050.
The recent assessment by the Environmental Protection Agency indicated that if we continue life as normal, our natural environment will degrade to a level incapable of supporting and sustaining our economies, and our lives.
Climate Case Ireland represents a wake up call for other nations. It highlights to other governments and their associated members that inactivity towards climate change can be challenged legally. The successful outcome of the case in Ireland will enable a path for additional action to be taken against other governments failing to show a clear commitment towards climate change.
The recent report released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provided vital information on our overall support and action taken by governments, businesses and individuals towards our environment. Despite the growing recognition of the environmental and climate challenges we face, many people continue to disregard the sheer extent of biodiversity loss and its associated impact on our lives.
The EPA report highlights several core findings and the consequences of our continued actions and impact on the environment. The four-year assessment incorporates all industries and is focused on understanding the environment in its totality, so we can appreciate our impact, whether this is a positive or negative one. Our human, ecological and natural systems are all integrated.
Heat generated from below the Earth’s surface could be utilised in buildings and contributing to decarbonising the heat industry in Ireland.
Harnessing the natural energy generated from below the Earth surface represents a significant heat resource for Ireland. Recent reports from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) and the Geological Survey Ireland (GSI) have suggested that the new energy source would be applicable in residential, commercial and municipal buildings. With technological advancements and progress in geoscience, geothermal energy has expanded beyond volcanic regions worldwide.
The IEA has forecasted green energy to put an end to the dominant position of coal by 2025.
According to a recent study by the IEA, global renewable electricity installation figures will reach a record level this year, contrasting to the significant declines in the fossil fuel industry as a consequence of the pandemic.
Green Party Senator Roisin Garvey gave a stark warning concerning the biodiversity crisis the world is facing as a consequence of climate change. In a recent debate with Government members, Senator Garvey urged leaders to take more action and show further commitment towards biodiversity and its association with climate change.
Yvonne Buckley, a Professor of Zoology at the Trinity College of Dublin presented the warning during recent pre-legislative discussions, indicating that further challenges are disruptive events that are likely to emerge in the future. Professor Buckley explained that if we eliminate biodiversity from the system, we potentially will lose the capacity to create resilient food systems that are capable of recovering from other events in the future.
A new study by Noteworthy, the investigative journalism platform of the Journal.ie. explores the continued granted licences for conifer plantations on rich biodiversity areas and valuable peat soil across Ireland.
Ireland was once covered in forests consisting of birch, oak and elm. Years of deforestation led to a mass transformation, resulting in Ireland becoming one of the least forested countries in Europe. Today, approximately 11% of the landmass in Ireland is covered in trees, compared to an EU average of over 30%, but Ireland does have some of the highest rates of forestry plantation in the EU and the largest forested area containing introduced tree species, largely Sitka spruce.
Given the significant implications of the pandemic, a major portion of this investment will be allocated into healthcare and social protection, consisting of €20.2 billion and €22 billion respectively. The question many environmental industry leaders are now asking is where does the climate and biodiversity challenges fit into the budget plans?
Ireland is one of several nations who have shown their commitment to biodiversity loss by signing up to a global initiative.
A total of 64 nations and the EU have signed the declaration, just days before the official opening of the UN Summit on Biodiversity. The initiative represents a collective ambition for biodiversity, climate and people, and recognises the challenge that lies ahead.
Today, our biosphere is facing a significant threat. Rates of deforestation have climbed higher than ever before as we continue to clear land to feed our growing population. Global emissions are rising and transforming our climate system, and a growing number of new pathogens damage our crops and health. Biodiversity is being depleted on a local, regional and global scale.
A rise in milk production has created an economic boost, but this has had a significant impact on the condition of rivers and estuaries in Ireland.
The river Bride which flows through Cork, Kerry and Waterford has a particular significance. The name Brigid refers to the flame-haired pagan goddess of water and is regarded as a very diverse place, renowned for its clean water and rich biodiversity. In recent years, however, the extent of pollution surrounding the area has all but destroyed the rich aquatic diversity. Residents point out the conditions of the river and the sheer level of pollution evident in the Brigid today.
At the annual Irish Wind Energy Association conference, Mark Foley highlighted that the key challenge of the decade for the industry was to ensure its collective vision gained wider support from all people.
Under the new renewable energy support scheme (RESS) several communities across Ireland will develop power generation schemes. The announcement made last week means that solar power projects at scale will be implemented across Ireland for the first time. Over 80 new renewable energy projects are now due to proceed after the Government approved the recent auction results enabling project bids to provide power to the grid at the most competitive prices available.
Ireland has confirmed it will introduce new targets to tackle waste issues and move towards a circular economy under a new strategy announced by the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
The plan involves reducing food waste by 50% by 2030, introducing a deposit and return scheme for plastic bottles and aluminium cans, a strict ban on particular single use plastics from July 2021 and a levy on disposable cups.
The Irish Wind Energy Association has stated that a solid second quarter for the wind sector means the country should reach its 40% renewable energy target. According to recent findings, the wind industry generated nearly 29% of the nation’s electricity during this period.
A new scheme dedicated to the planting of native woodland species on public land has been launched by the Department of Agriculture. The project intends to focus on one of the biodiversity commitments within the Government strategies and will be targeted at public bodies on a local and national level.
Iarnród Éireann is one of the first public groups to show a clear interest in the scheme and the CEO Jim Meade confirmed they will be exploring the feasibility of a particular site in Roscommon as a potential location for the scheme.
The challenges facing the forestry industry have raised the emphasis on the need for more environmental and ecology professionals in Ireland.
Environmental mismanagement in the commercial forestry industry in Ireland has led to a rising challenge in the forestry sector and could result in a significant number of trees being destroyed.
The iconic university in the centre of Dublin has started planting wildflower meadows, replacing its traditional lawns around the main campus. The plans represent a wider response from Ireland towards the biodiversity challenge and its commitment to the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan.
The National Economic and Social Council have stated that environmental sustainability measures and more investment into carbon reduction strategies and biodiversity protection can accelerate the economic recovery of Ireland from the pandemic.
The Council has provided a detailed number of actions that need to be taken to deliver a sustainable recovery. The author Dr. Jeanne Moore explains that taking these steps provides an opportunity to redesign the economy and society and most importantly improve our relationship between us and the natural environment.
George Eustice, the environmental minister has confirmed a new Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment aimed at protecting the national environment as part of a larger package of Environmental Bill measures. The new plan valued at £5 million may be supported by additional funding plans via the UK’s Environment Bill which is focused on leaving the environment in a better condition than when we found it.
National Parks and Wildlife Services have not been allocated with enough political support, according to ecological experts.
Many people had viewed the new Government as a positive move towards improving the support towards national heritage and biodiversity. Yet a recent move has suggested that the National Parks and Wildlife Service may not be included in their initial strategy.
The head of the Heritage Council believes people are far more engaged and connected to natural heritage since the pandemic restrictions were implemented. In an interview promoting the National Heritage Week in South Dublin, Virginia Teehan, the CEO of Heritage Council has noticed a stronger engagement in heritage across a range of age groups in the last few months.
The three political groups that are nearing representing the next government are set to hold annual RESS auction rounds and adopt a target of 5GW.
The parties have promised a revolution in renewable energy marketing, incorporating annual capacity auctions and an increased offshore wind target of 5GW.
A leading representative in the climate transition in Ireland has stated that the coalition deal represents the best option to efficiently tackle carbon emissions. Oisín Coghlan, the director of Friends of the Earth believes there is no alternative strategy capable of delivering a quicker and fairer approach towards climate action.
Tesco Ireland has confirmed plans to utilise renewable gas generated from excess food to power six of its major stores across the nation. The new initiative which Tesco claims to be a first for Irish retailers will contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions generated from retailers by 1,200 tonnes each year.
A recent poll assessing public support for climate action suggests rising support for increased actions towards tackling carbon emissions. Despite the implications of the current pandemic, nearly two thirds of adults in Ireland believe it is critical that the incoming Government places climate change as a top priority.
According to a report by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, wind power has exceeded natural gas as Ireland’s main source of electricity generation for a full quarter for the first time ever.
The city of Dublin has introduced a series of ecological measures with the delivery of a new ‘wilding’ policy to enhance and improve the landscapes and local environment in parks and grasslands. The step changes to reduce mowing and chemical use in parks will enable wildflowers to flourish and support local ecological and habitat development in the city.
According to 2019 reports, ISIF has secured nearly 350 million euros to a number of renewable energy businesses and forestry projects over a five year period, with plans to invest an additional 5oo million euros in the next decade. This includes a major investment into four energy storage projects, including an investment into London-based Gore Street Capital which has current assets in both Wexford and Kildare.
In 1900, Ireland consisted of just 1% forest cover. This has increased to nearly 11%, consisting of nearly 800,000 hectares of forestland. Ireland is now committing to planting an additional 8,000 hectares every year to expand this figure to 18%. This approach to carbon management is focused on a number of reports highlighting that tree planting remains one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways of approaching the climate challenge.
The latest findings on the green economy reportedly exceeded £46 billion, but industry experts have warned that growth needs to be accelerated if the UK is to deliver on its net-zero targets.
Environmental and clean energy campaigners are urging the government to focus more on accelerating the development of green energy projects and services in response to the climate targets of the UK.
A recent report highlights how compared to International companies, domestic businesses are losing touch with climate action. A report into carbon emissions was created by non-profit organisation CDP for Irish-headquartered businesses. Top performing businesses listed in the study, included AIB, Kingspan, Kerry Group, CRH and Smurfit Kappa.
The draft plan includes a ten-year strategy to put a stop to the decline and extinction of species, enabling our ecosystems to recover by 2050.
Governments are expected to implement a new list of biodiversity targets, replacing the previous goals set back in 2010 in Aichi, Japan, of which most have reportedly not been achieved.
Larry Fink, the CEO of BlackRock explained that climate change is now a decisive factor in business’s long term development and points to sustainable investment plans as a clear option to deliver better results for customers. BlackRock plans to make sustainable investment accessible to all and remove the barriers for those interested in participating in such programs.
Sustainable finance incorporates green bonds, socially responsible investment plans (SRI), environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors, climate finance and performance bonds. Sustainable finance has become a focus in “Ireland for Finance”, a core strategy for the development of Ireland’s financial services industry to 2025.
Some of the world’s largest tech businesses are supporting a record rise in the amount of renewable energy sold to corporate businesses last year. Leading technology organisations like Google, Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft are some of the biggest buyers of renewable energy.
The collaborative project ‘Imagining 2050: engaging, envisioning and co-producing pathways to low carbon resilient Ireland’ is focused on defining national issues and exploring how local communities and create a sustainable and socially inclusive future. Researchers are highlighting the combination of social and scientific knowledge, emphasising the connection between the local community experience with scientific knowledge.
According to National Grid, the UK must generate 120,000 green energy jobs by 2030 to support the transition towards a net-zero carbon economy if the government intends to meet its climate targets.
The new report highlights that Britain needs over 100,000 people in the next decade to support the development of new projects and reduce emissions to near zero. This figure is anticipated to rise even further to 400,000 by 2050 when the Government intends to have a clean energy system in place.
Big oil holds a significant slice of our global energy market and despite a worldwide spotlight on climate change, oil and gas will likely remain part of our energy mix for some years to come. Its dominant position in the energy market may be subsiding slightly, oil and gas businesses undeniably have a significant influence on the rate of movement and progress towards a low carbon energy system.
In the next few years, artificial intelligence is anticipated to have a significant impact on enhancing the efficiency of the clean energy industry by automating a number of operational procedures within the solar and wind markets.
Artificial Intelligence (AI), combined with a number of innovative technologies like Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning has already clearly demonstrated their potential to enhance the energy and utility market.
A new study by Wood Mackenzie has predicted that the 2020s will be a new era for the wind industry and will see the offshore wind market’s share of the annual global wind industry reach 25% by 2028. The report suggests that the onshore wind industry will continue to mature and compete further with solar as suppliers seek for further collaboration.
New and innovative technology is being introduced into the industry at an accelerated rate. For clean energy, the new technology represents a number of new and exciting opportunities. Creating the most efficient and cost-effective solar systems requires utilising the best technology available. Industry professionals are now exploring a number of new systems that could be used to radically transform the solar market.
A focus on increasing community participation and support for new solar projects are some of the top priorities for the first Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) recently published. The plans of the first RESS auction have been anticipated by many energy businesses looking to progress on a number of projects, including large-scale offshore wind development to smaller solar developments.
The RESS scheme represents a part of Ireland’s strategy to ensure that 70% of the nation’s energy requirements are derived from renewable energy by 2030. The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment state that the initial guidelines and conditions of the first auction include focus support for solar site development.
New government plans for the farming industry will place further importance on wildlife, nature and the climate. The new £1.6 billion subsidy provided every year for farmers for simply owning land will be eliminated by 2028 and the funds used to pay farmers to focus on restoring natural habitats, create new woodlands, enhance soil and reduce the use of pesticides.