Ireland is way off track for 2020 climate targets, European study finds

The Environmental Pillar is calling on the government to end its disjointed approach to emissions targets and put Ireland at the forefront of climate change action. The Environmental Pillar, which is made up of 28 Irish environmental NGOs, is disappointed but not surprised by the European Environment Agency (EEA) study which found Ireland will not […]

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Response to EU Climate Targets 2030

In the early hours of Friday morning, EU leaders in Brussels agreed three targets for carbon reductions in 2030. However, the Environmental Pillar are concerned at the low levels of these targets which see a 40% reduction in greenhouse gases, 27% increase in renewable energy and a 27% increase in energy efficiency over 1990 levels. […]

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Report from the 7th Meeting of the European Advisory Committees on Biosafety in the field of contained use and deliberate release of GMOs, Amsterdam 16th-17th October 2014

Sadhbh O’Neill In attendance as member of EPA advisory committee on GMOs, representing the Environmental Pillar. This symposium is an event to facilitate dialogue between the scientific experts across the EU and EEA on current trends in regulating the contained use and deliberate release of GMOs. This document is merely intended to be a personal […]

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Environmental Pillar call for Department of Transport to prioritise rail as a way to address climate change

The Environmental Pillar is calling on the Department of Transport to prioritise Ireland’s rail services as a way to address climate change. This comes on the back of a consultation document on transport investment, prepared by the Department, which discusses cutting rail services and ignores government commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Environmental Pillar, which […]

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Budget 2015: Social housing investment and renovation scheme reaction

Investment in Social Housing The Environmental Pillar today welcome government investment of €2.2bn in social housing provision but are calling on the government to ensure this housing is of the highest energy efficiency. Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin today announced an investment of €2.2bn for social housing provision over the next three […]

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Budget 2015 Response: Site Value Tax

The Environmental Pillar welcomes moves by the government to address the problem of developers hoarding zoned and serviced land and calls for the introduction of a site value tax. Minister for Finance Michael Noonan today stated that a public consultation will be launched on the issues of developers allowing sites to lay derelict as they […]

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Budget 2015 response: Blue Economy

The Environmental Pillar cautiously welcomes the marine measures in the budget but warns that the increase in the blue economy must not come at the cost of small fishermen and the environment. The proposed Marine Tax review is an opportunity to focus tax support on smaller specialist fishing vessels that can fish sustainably and provide […]

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Budget 2015 response: Tax measures to support Agriculture

The Environmental Pillar welcomes a number of tax measures that will benefit farmers and farming communities but warns that increases in productivity must not come at the cost of Ireland’s biodiversity. Minister for Finance Michael Noonan highlighted the importance of land availability for young farmers wishing to expand in the industry and will provide Irish […]

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Submission on investing in our transport future

The Environmental Pillar made a submission to the public consultation on Investing in our Transport Future – A Strategic Framework for Investment in Land Transport. [button href=”http://environmentalpillar.ie/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Environmental-Pillar-Submission-to-the-Public-Consultation-on-Investing-in-our-transport-future-1.pdf” title=”Title” target=”blank” shape=”square, rounded, pill” size=”mini, small, regular, large, x-large, jumbo”  icon_only=”true” info=”popover, tooltip” info_place=”top, right, bottom, left” info_trigger=”hover, click, focus” info_content=”This content will only show up if […]

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Submission on draft Forestry Programme 2014-2020

The Environmental Pillar made a substantive submission on the SEA for the draft Forestry Programme 2014 to 2020. In it a number of issues were raised including: climate change impacts, lack of support for agroforestry, native woodland conservation, biodiversity, water protection and other management measures. [button href=”http://environmentalpillar.ie/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Environmental-Pillar-submission-on-draft-forestry-programme-2014-2020.pdf” title=”Title” target=”blank” shape=”square, rounded, pill” size=”mini, small, regular, […]

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Conserving Ireland’s natural habitats and biodiversity can help in the fight against climate change

At the National Ploughing Championships 2014, the Environmental Pillar launched a report into how Ireland’s biodiversity can help in the fight against climate change. The report entitled ‘Ireland’s Biodiversity: Our natural ally in the fight against climate change’ outlines how protecting natural habitats is an important and cost effective option for government to store carbon and […]

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