# Climate
This year
2023
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.
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”.
# 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.
# Detained
Greta Thunberg detained by German police during coal mine protest
Thunberg was among several people detained during the demonstration.
# Climate Change
ExxonMobil predicted global warming but dismissed its own research, study finds
The oil giant has faced accusations for years that it knew about the threat of global warming decades ago.
# Climate
Past eight years were hottest since records began, UN scientists confirm
The World Meteorological Organisation found the average global temperature in 2022 was about 1.15C above 1850-1900 levels.
# Transport
Sale of new electric vehicles jumped 81% in 2022
15,262 new electric cars were licenced in 2022 compared to 8,554 in 2021.
# plastic waste
England to ban single-use plastic cutlery and plates two years after EU
Ireland, along with other EU members, introduced a similar move in 2021.
# oil supplies
Bill to strengthen State’s capacity to manage oil supplies to be brought before Cabinet
The Bill will move to put all aspects of oil emergency planning on a statutory footing.
THE MORNING LEAD
Unpublished pensions report shows roll back on Climate Action Plan measure
Ambition for tighter scrutiny regarding the investment of pension funds in fossil fuels was quietly rolled back only months after the target was set.
Noteworthy reveals contents of unpublished government report on a proposal for tighter scrutiny on pension fund investment in fossil fuels
Before a working group had met to examine this proposed measure, it was deemed 'not prudent'
Several matters recommended by the report have not come to fruition but the measure is marked as complete
Last year
2022
THE MORNING LEAD
Demands on government to step up on climate crisis as new action plan takes hold
The Climate Action Plan 2023 contains a suite of measures aimed at cutting emissions – but its performance over the last year was mixed.
# Climate
Met Éireann says 2022 set to be Ireland's hottest year since records began
Provisional figures released by the forecaster today show that this year was the warmest since 1900.
Voices
Peter Power: Climate change risking famine in Somalia and beyond as global leaders dither
The head of UNICEF Ireland says children may face famine in Somalia while powerful governments stall on climate action.
# CLIMATE CRISIS
'Substantial concern' over gap in emissions reductions as new Climate Action Plan released
The plan outlines measures for electricity, transport, agriculture and other sectors to try to meet legally-binding targets.
# Emissions
EU reaches deal on major carbon market reform
The deal aims to accelerate emissions cuts, phase out free allowances to industries and targets fuel emissions from the building and road transport sectors.
Voices
Opinion: Our fields may be green, but we are failing to protect biodiversity
Professor Jane Stout looks at the COP15 UN biodiversity conference underway in Canada and reminds us why it is so important.
# Biodiversity
Pesticide lobbyists pushing against environmental protections, research finds
A UN conference in Montreal is trying to finalise a new framework for living in harmony with nature.
Opinion: The EU's climate weakness this week will be welcomed by the biggest polluters
Trócaire’s Caoimhe de Barra says the EU watering down of legislation on big polluters this week was a huge disappointment.
# CLIMATE CRISIS
'Sustainable' investment funds in Ireland hold over $3 billion in fossil fuels
An investigation across Europe found 388 ‘sustainable’ funds that invest in fossil fuel and aviation companies.
# Climate Change
Student climate strikers mark four years of weekly protests outside Dáil
Climate Minister Eamon Ryan described the weekly protests as “inspirational”.
# just stop oil
UK's Sunak pledges more police powers to tackle ‘completely unacceptable’ climate protests
Sunak called it “completely unacceptable” that ordinary people were having their lives disrupted by environmental protests.
# climate action
Over half of Irish Gen Zers want car-free zones in cities and the banning of domestic flights
New research studied young people’s attitudes to climate, their personal actions, and their opinions on hypothetical policies.
# Climate
Government ‘on track’ to reach target of 950,000 electric vehicles, says Ryan
Ryan says the government will launch a new €100 million strategy next month that will see more charging stations installed.
# Nature
Citizens' Assembly on biodiversity to hear from Dr Jane Goodall at final meeting
The assembly will send recommendations to the government on how to solve the biodiversity emergency.
# Greenhouse Gases
Ireland responsible for more emissions globally than national figures show - study
The global carbon footprint of Irish consumption is higher than what is reflected in current calculations.
# falling behind
Number of delayed climate measures snowballs as new Climate Action Plan nears
The Department of Environment was the worst performer of any government department in the third quarter of the year.
# CLIMATE CRISIS
Newsletter: COP27 has ended. It scraped a pass
“The world remains on the brink of climate catastrophe.”
# Compromise
COP27 'held the line' but more climate action still crucial - minister
The extended climate conference finally came to an agreement last night after running late into the weekend.
THE MORNING LEAD
Qatar 2022: The carbon-neutral World Cup that never was
Qatar and FIFA promised a carbon-neutral World Cup, but experts argue it is far from that.
# Egypt
COP27: UN climate talks extended into weekend in bid to break deadlock
Wealthy and developing nations struggled to find common ground on a host of crucial issues.
