New EPA Phone App: See it? Say it!

Many citizens and communities already get involved in taking care of the environment they live, work and play in.  The See It? Say It! phone application, developed by the EPA, helps to collect and direct your environmental concern to the correct local authority so that they can take action and address it. What can you report when...

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SEAI report shows residential energy use on the rise

Ireland’s residential energy use and carbon emissions are rising again. That is according to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), who published its detailed analysis, Energy in the Residential Sector.  Between 2014 and 2016, CO2 emissions from the sector increased by almost 7%, having fallen by almost a quarter between 2005 and 2014. SEAI indicates that...

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Industrial Emissions Directive: Explained

The Industrial Emissions Directive 2010/75/EU (IED) is aimed at reducing emissions from industrial production processes using an integrated approach to management environmental emissions and impact. In the past the Environmental Protection Agency in Ireland has issued Waste Licences and IPPC Licences for activities which are listed in the Third and Fourth Schedules to the Waste Management...

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Anaerobic Digestion: The conversion of feedstock into biogas and digestate

Anaerobic Digestion (AD) is the conversion of feedstock (any organic non-woody material) by micro-organisms in the absence of oxygen into biogas and digestate. Manure and other possible biomass feedstocks are inserted into a large, sealed airless container. In this oxygen free environment, bacteria will produce biogas. In most digesters the contents will be heated to accelerate the...

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EU’s €31bn carbon market finally picks up steam

Europe’s €31bn a year carbon market is finally starting to work the way it was intended, reining in pollution with a minimum of squealing from industry. Thirteen years after it was created to limit carbon-dioxide emissions, prices for the allowances are rising. EU policymakers have enacted measures expected to keep the cost of pollution on an upward trajectory...

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Ireland’s emissions going in the wrong direction

The EPA has published figures for emissions of five key air pollutants. These pollutants impact air quality in Ireland and further afield, causing respiratory problems, pollution of soil and surface water, and damage to vegetation.  This latest information from the EPA shows that Ireland exceeded its emission limits for ammonia for the first time in 2016 and...

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The Solvent Regulations Act: Does it apply to you?

If you use solvents, it is likely that either the Solvent Regulations 2012 or EPA Act will apply to you. Solvent Regulations Act The Solvent Regulations are aimed at solvent users who use between 1 tonne and 10 tonnes per year.  Such users must obtain a Certificate of Compliance from their local authority.  This certificate...

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