The eco-innovation briefs are short reports highlighting selected findings from the Eco-Innovation Observatory (EIO) reports and analysis. Eco-Innovation Scoreboard: the 2011 Results The Eco-Innovation Challenge: Pathways to a resource efficient Europe The Eco-Innovation Scoreboard at a glance Eco-Innovators in Europe: Focus on Materials Innovation for Sustainable Water Introducing eco-innovation: from incremental changes to systemic transformations...

Concerns for sustainable urban development include: Increases in water consumption The urban heat island (UHI) effect, whereby building materials in cities, such as concrete and asphalt, retain heat and create local warming. A study in the United States has suggested that: Urban sprawl resulted in an increase in evaporation and therefore external water consumption.  As water evaporation...

Reports are great when they are accurate, to the point and understandable Documentation and reporting are fundamental to the management of environmental requirements. Technical Review Environmental Sustainability Cost-Benefit Analysis License Application and Review Environmental Compliance Environmental Liability Risk Assessments ECOS prepares and presents reports to assist clients to meet their corporate and legal requirements.  We...

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) is a key initiative aimed at improving water quality throughout the EU. The Directive: Applies to rivers, lakes, groundwater, and coastal waters. Requires an integrated approach to managing water quality on a river basin basis; with the aim of maintaining and improving water quality. Requires that management plans be prepared...

The Nitrates Directive aims to reduce and prevent water pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources, with the primary emphasis on the management of livestock manures and other fertilisers.  The main provisions of this directive are: To monitor and identify polluted waters or water liable to pollution from agricultural nitrates To promote the code of...

A new Joint Research Centre (JRC) report provides key information for policy makers and business managers on how to assess the environmental impacts of products and services through more consistent and better quality life cycle assessments. Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) helps to assess the sustainability of supply chains, use, and end-of-life management options for goods...

The EPA has today published its first biannual update of its Biodiversity Action Plan, to mark International Day for Biological Diversity http://www.epa.ie/downloads/pubs/biodiversity/name,33378,en.html

Reliable information is a fundamental requirement for environmental issues to be correctly assessed. Do you know what information is required? How do you know that your information is reliable? Do you have the knowledge required to interpret environmental data and information? ECOS supports you to identify your environmental requirements, interpret technical information and address potential...

The Mid West Regional Authority (MWRA) has been allocated €192,000 under an EU funded programme to promote the environmental protection and economic development of the Mid West Region’s principal waterways, including Lough Derg, the West Clare coastline, the River Shannon and the Shannon Estuary. The Authority has been tasked with developing a regional policy tool...

Business can save money through informed pollution prevention. Prevention is more efficient and economically viable than non-compliance with legal requirements. ECOS helps all types of businesses to cost effectively prevent pollution and comply with legal requirements. ✓         Reduce the input of materials and energy ✓         Minimize the amount of waste for treatment and disposal ✓        ...