Climate Action News | Autumn
Welcome to Climate Action News
In this edition: Significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, Nature Restoration Law passes in Europe, a new climate subject at Senior Cycle level, Carlow fire service in world-first, latest data from Europe and open consultations at home.
Greenhouse gas emissions decrease 6.8%
News of a significant greenhouse gas emissions reduction of 6.8% in 2023 has been welcomed as progress along the way to achieving climate targets.
Emissions decreases were driven by reductions in electricity generation, and the residential sector, agriculture and industry - check out the EPA’s website for more on this.
The overall emissions reduction, however, falls short of reductions required to achieve National and new EU targets. Read the Government’s latest Progress Report on the 2024 Climate Action Plan for more on this.
Nature Restoration Law passes in Europe
The European Council has formally adopted the Nature Restoration Law.
This law aims to put measures in place to restore at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030, and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050, and includes binding targets.
Completion of the Nature Restoration Plan will be aligned with the opening of the Government’s €3.15bn Climate and Nature Fund in 2026.
We're Taking Climate Action
Carlow County Fire Service in World First
Carlow County Fire Service recently launched the first fire engine in the world combining state-of-the-art software with hydrotreated vegetable oil as part of its climate action.
The initiative ties in with Carlow County Council’s Climate Action Plan, which aims to reduce county emissions by 51 per cent and increase energy efficiency in the public sector to 50 per cent by 2030.
The vehicle, which is also solar-powered, began responding to emergencies in late July.
Climate Action and Sustainable Development for Senior Cycle
100 schools will pilot nine new Senior Cycle subjects next year, including Climate Action and Sustainable Development.
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment recently published curriculum specifications for the subjects, which will be introduced into schools next year, for fifth year students.
Read the specifications and related programme documents here
Climate Youth Delegate Beth Doherty in action
Young people are being encouraged to submit their priorities for COP29, via Ireland’s Climate Youth Delegate.
Delegate Beth Doherty is working to connect the Government with young people on international climate policy and processes and her work will help inform Ireland’s official delegation to the COP.
Beth, a final year law student at the University of Cambridge who has been involved in climate activism since 2019, is the second Climate Youth Delegate, and is building on the work of her predecessor Jenny Salmon.
Focus on Climate Action at Ploughing
Climate Action took centre stage in the Government of Ireland village at the National Ploughing Championships in Co. Laois again this September.
The We’re Taking Climate Action tent featured information about home energy upgrades and grants, latest climate data from Met Éireann, information on repair and re-use from The Rediscovery Centre; groundwater and flooding from Geological Survey Ireland, and the Nature Restoration Law recently agreed in Europe, as well as opportunities for Community Funding.
We're Taking Climate Action
Galway City Council Grattan Beach Project
Galway City Council has been promoting a sand dune restoration project in its area as part of the Local Authority’s first Climate Action Plan - with Galway City set to become carbon neutral by 2050.
The Grattan Beach sand dune restoration project is one example of positive climate action in Galway City, where the dunes reduce the impact of storms, whilst also improving biodiversity.
Noticeboard
Events
Bioeconomy Ireland Week 2024 takes place October 14-24th.
The theme for the week is Demonstrating Biobased Solutions for a Greener Ireland. You can get involved in events for communities, farmers, industry, producers, researchers, and students nationwide, and online.
To learn more about the events taking place, or to get involved, see www.irishbioeconomy.ie
Consultations
1. A consultation on draft regulations to reform the End-of-Waste decision making process is open.
You can make submissions until October 9th.
2. You can make submission to a consultation on Transboundary Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) – Morecambe Offshore Windfarm development, located approximately 30km from the Lancashire coastline until October 9th.
Visit the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage’s consultation here.
3. A public consultation on the revised National Planning Framework has been published– with implications for compact growth, infrastructure development, land use, renewables, nature based solutions, adaptation etc and a chapter dedicated to Climate Transition & Our Environment.
Resources
1. Check out the new Met Éireann weather and climate supercomputer on their website.
It is part of a unique collaboration with three other National Meteorological Services and will help Denmark, Iceland, the Netherlands and Ireland to prepare for the impacts of changing weather patterns.
2. The recently published The Circularity Gap Report – Ireland shows the impact economic growth and the consequent increase in material consumption has had on carbon emissions and environmental degradation.
Check it out at CGR Ireland (circularity-gap.world)
3. The National Centre for the Circular Economy in Ireland has a newsletter you can sign up to at Rediscoverycentre.ie/newsletter
The Rediscovery Centre is a creative movement connecting people, ideas and resources to support greener low-carbon living. Visit here for more.
4. The European Commission has a useful factsheet on the Nature Restoration Law.
Visit their website to check out the resource.
5. A Eurostat dataset on EU economy greenhouse gas emissions makes for interesting reading.
Review the -4.0% reduction in Q1 2024 across the Member States at this link.
6. Bioeconomy resources
Ireland’s first national Bioeconomy Action Plan 2023-2025 includes 33 actions to accelerate support for the development of the bioeconomy.
To find out more about how we can develop a sustainable, circular and innovative biobased society, explore this interactive map produced by BiOrbic, Bioeconomy SFI Research Centre in partnership with the Irish Bioeconomy Network.
7. The Year Two Progress Report on the National Sustainable Mobility Policy has been published.
With a circa 70% delivery rate at the end of Year 2, actions completed will help to enhance road safety, promote sustainable mobility and increase services in rural areas.
Sustainable Development Goal Champions announced
20 new organisations from across Irish society have been appointed Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Champions.
From Sligo Rovers to Irish Girl Guides, the new SDG champions reveal the desire to live up to and promote the UN goals for a better world.
Find out more about the organisations involved here.
Freelance Journalist - Film Critic
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The future is Biochar
3moLooking for information on any ongoing work on Biochar, which is included in the climate action plan?