# Climate Change
Yesterday
30th March 2023
# Jets
Private jets in firing line as report shows over 6,000 flights left Irish airports last year
People Before Profit is to bring a Bill to the Dáil after Easter to ban private jets in Irish air space.
# Green Energy
EU states aim to double continent's renewable energy usage by 2030
The European Union Parliament and EU states reached a deal this morning to almost double the usage of renewable energy by 2030
This week
26th March 2023 - 31st March 2023
# Climate
UN adopts ‘historic’ resolution on legal obligations to fight climate change
The resolution now goes to the International Court of Justice to clarify climate obligations and then begin proceedings.
# Three Year Delay
Environment charity brings judicial review over stalled long-term climate strategy
The EU opened infringement proceedings against Ireland last year over its failure to produce a 30-year strategy for climate action.
# fanning the flames
Strong winds drive early wildfire destroying forestry in Spain
The blaze has forced 1,800 people from their homes.
# wir leben autos
EU moves closer to banning new fossil-fuel cars after striking deal with Germany
Germany, one of the biggest car manufacturers in the world, had previously vetoed the ban.
Last week
19th March 2023 - 25th March 2023
# Climate Change
Protesters blast Eamon Ryan as he says 'politics of division' will not work for climate crisis
Ryan was speaking in Trinity College as part of the university’s Green Week.
# Waste
New waste regulations to include incentivised charging and segregation for commercial waste
This change will bring the commercial sector in line with the residential sector, for whom incentivised pricing has been in place since 2017.
# climate inaction
World’s climate plans won’t keep temperature rise below 1.5 degrees - major UN report
Humanity can still prevent the worst-case climate scenarios – but we need to act now, the IPCC has confirmed.
# No Excuses
'Climate needs to be at the heart of all decision-making' - Irish expert
A new climate report has shown that countries’ current plans aren’t enough to reach international targets.
# Extreme Weather
Millions of dead fish wash up in Australian river after flooding and heatwave
Experts said the extreme weather had put stress on the ecology of Menindee, New South Wales.
Last month
March 2023
# whitewash
Owner of Zara and Bershka reports €4.1 billion net profit despite fast fashion scrutiny
Retail giants are under growing pressure for their role in the climate crisis and workers’ rights abuses.
# energy poverty
Energy credits should not have included richest households, climate NGO says
A new report by Friends of the Earth has made 49 recommendations to government about how to tackle energy poverty.
# climate action
MEPs vote for Europe to decarbonise buildings and help nature to trap carbon
EU politicians backed new policies for buildings to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions.
# US
Biden administration approves oil drilling project in Alaska despite environmental concerns
Biden had vowed not to approve any new leases for oil and gas projects on federal lands during the 2020 presidential race.
# CLIMATE CRISIS
Diplomats and scientists meet to approve major report on state of the climate
The synthesis report will condense down nearly a decade of science.
# Climate Change
Iraq to plant 5 million trees to combat severe impacts of climate change
Iraq suffers from extreme summer heat, frequent droughts, desertification and regular dust storms.
# Biodiversity
Over half of Ireland’s native plants have declined since the 1950s
A 20-year research project blamed agriculture, climate change and non-native invasive species for the decline.
# Disaster
Rescuers search for dozens of missing people after deadly landslide in Indonesia
Prolonged torrential rain has caused flooding in different areas of the archipelago nation.
# Climate Change
UN talks on agreement to protect the high seas continue into the early morning
The high seas comprise more than 60% of the world’s oceans and nearly half the planet’s surface.
# Storm Juliette
Snowstorm in Mallorca: Rescues, power cuts, sinkholes and snowmen
The government confirmed that residents of the island are in “good health” and that three helicopters were taking part in the search and evacuation operation.
# Climate Change
Over 100 nations, including Ireland, back Vanuatu plan to tackle climate change
Vanuatu, a nation made up of around 80 islands, has spearheaded a drive to define what legal responsibility countries have for the impact of climate change.
This year
2023
# Sao Sebastio
Rescuers search for missing people in Brazil after twice monthly average rain falls in 24 hours
The record rainfall in a beachside city caused flooding and mudslides, killing at least 46 people.
# la nina
Heat and cold records broken in just five days in Argentina
The South American country this week battled its eighth heat wave so far this summer.
# Fossil Fuel
EU approves 2035 ban on new fossil fuel car sales
The Irish Government plans to ban new fossil fuel car sales from 2030 onwards.
Voices
Opinion: Investment in agriculture shouldn't be about the status quo - but on moving away from intensive farming
Dr Emma Howard explains the economics of climate change – like how it’s counterintuitive to heavily subsidise a carbon-intensive product like beef.
# Duncan Stewart
RTÉ pays tribute to Duncan Stewart as final episode of Eco Eye to air
The show has covered climate change and sustainability for the past 21 years.
THE MORNING LEAD
Delayed climate strategy to come before Cabinet amid EU infringement proceedings
The EU has taken the first step of a legal process against Ireland over failure to submit a long-term climate strategy due three years ago.
# heatwaves
Planting more trees in cities could reduce deaths from intense summer heat, study finds
“This is becoming increasingly urgent as Europe experiences more extreme temperature fluctuations caused by climate change,” one researcher said.
THE MORNING LEAD
Ireland three years past deadline to send long-term climate strategy to European Union
The government has repeatedly fallen short of promises to get the important strategy finished.
# Climate
'High probability' of global warming reaching 2 degrees by mid-century, study suggests
Professor Peter Thorne of Maynooth University said the research should be taken seriously, but added that it is just a single study.
# Solar Panels
Cumbersome grant system holding some back from solar PV uptake, says expert
The chair of the Micro-Renewable Energy Federation likened the experience of securing a grant to a “bureaucratic nightmare”.
# inside the newsroom
WATCH: Inside The Newsroom webinar takes you behind the scenes of our reporting
A look behind the news, exploring how we bring you the stories that matter to you.
# Not a breeze
Young people are least confident in Irish government's efforts on environment
New international polling on people’s views about climate change has examined perceptions in Ireland.
International polling on people's views about climate change examines perceptions in Ireland about the threat of the crisis.
Just over one in three people in Ireland think that governments are taking necessary measures to protect the environment.
85% of Irish people polled believe that rising global temperatures are a threat to humanity.
# climate action
Net-zero climate policies will save lives by improving health, study finds
Research found retrofitting homes with insulation can be a major contributor to better health.
# Nature
Assembly on biodiversity calls on Government to reassess aims of Coillte at final meeting
The assembly’s conclusions so far include that the State has “comprehensively failed” on biodiversity.
# Fossil Fuels
Eamon Ryan 'absolutely supports' Greta Thunberg and protesters against German mine expansion
Greta Thunberg was briefly detained by German police in a protest against the destruction of a village and the mine’s expansion.
# buzzing
Electric vehicle charging points to be rolled out at sport, retail and tourism hotspots
The government also plans to make a fast charger available every 60km on motorways under a new strategy.
THE MORNING LEAD
Coillte forestry deal with British fund condemned by TDs from across political spectrum
The debate came as part of discussions on the Climate Action Plan 2023, which received a mixed response in the chamber.
# climate protest
Explainer: The story of Greta Thunberg and the small German village on brink of demolition
Here’s a breakdown of the circumstances of the protest in Germany and the activist’s short detention.
