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The Irish environmental movement has lost another of its champions and passionate advocates with the sad passing of Michael Ewing. One of Ireland’s great environmentalists, he played a central role in the movement and was a leading figure in the Irish Environmental Network and Environmental Pillar for many years. In 2008, he was employed by […]

The Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) and the Environmental Pillar (1) at a meeting with Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius today urged him to stick with the decision to reduce Ireland’s derogation limit to 220 kg nitrogen per hectare. “We impressed upon Commissioner Sinkevičius that we have reached a critical point in tackling water quality in Ireland,” said […]

The Environmental Pillar and the Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) are urgently seeking a meeting with Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius to discuss Ireland’s Nitrates Derogation during his visit to Ireland on Nov 23rd. It is important that the Commissioner comes away from Ireland with a balanced and informed view of civil society’s attitude to the Commission’s position […]

The Environmental Pillar, Ireland’s environmental NGO advocacy coalition, has given a cautious welcome to the Nature Restoration Law which was agreed last night following negotiations between the EU Parliament, Commission and Council. But it still has concerns over concessions on the Commission’s original proposals and weaker targets in some areas. The new law sets a […]

We are deeply saddened by the passing of our friend and colleague Andrew St Ledger. Andrew was an active member of our network and a passionate advocate for native woodland and the wider environment. His energy, enthusiasm, passion and knowledge about our native forests and his willingness to share that knowledge were legendary in the […]

The Environmental Pillar, Ireland’s environmental NGO advocacy coalition, has welcomed the commitment to a €3 billion fund for investing in climate and nature projects announced in Budget 2024. Oisín Coghlan, Environmental Pillar spokesperson and Director of Friends of the Earth Ireland said: “While not all we asked for, this is still a significant announcement and […]

A guide published for the new Planning and Development bill approved by cabinet on Tuesday, has raised serious alarms already within the Environmental Pillar, an advocacy coalition of national eNGOs. The guide indicates “substantial modifications” will be made to the current rules on Judicial Review in the Planning and Development Act 2000, and outlines the changes. The new […]

Press Release Monday 18th September 2023 Environmental Pillar calls for establishment of Climate and Nature Restoration Fund in Budget 2024 Budget must also prioritise protecting the most vulnerable while progressing to a safer environment The projected €65 billion surplus in the years ahead presents a unique opportunity for the establishment of a dedicated Climate and […]

The government stands at a significant crossroads, armed with a projected €65 billion surplus in the years ahead. This surplus presents a unique opportunity to future-proof Ireland with the establishment of a dedicated Climate and Nature Restoration Fund of €8bn to ensure that necessary investments in both climate and nature seen and unforeseen are guaranteed. […]

The Environmental Pillar and Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) welcome the review of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) (Agriculture) Regulations 2011 (SI 456) as an important step towards addressing the inadequacy of the current Regulations to assess environmental impact and ensure environmental protection. The current Regulations, introduced in 2011 with amendments in 2013 and 2017, are […]

Today the European parliament voted to adopt an EU Nature Restoration Law. At the outset of today’s plenary vote the European Parliament voted against the rejection of the draft law in a tight vote. Irish MEPs’ votes were critical in the end as all thirteen voted against the rejection amendment in a vote where only […]

IMMEDIATE RELEASE 30 May 2023 A coalition of leading environmental organisations are rallying together from across Ireland in a call for political leaders to support an ambitious Nature Restoration Law. At the Rally to Restore Nature, scientists, activists, community leaders and other members of society will demand that restoration of nature be placed at the […]

IMMEDIATE RELEASE 5 May 2023 The Environmental Pillar, an advocacy coalition of 32 environmental non-governmental organisations, is demanding that leaders in Government pause and re-evaluate their strategy on the proposed new Planning Bill1. Government must listen to and address the major concerns that have come forward from a diverse range of stakeholders on the delays, […]

The Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss issued a final report today with 159 recommendations on how Ireland can improve its response to the biodiversity crisis. The report underscores the serious and chronic failure by the State to adequately fund and enforce existing laws to halt and reverse biodiversity loss.  The 99 members of the Citizens’ […]

Dear Ministers,  We, the Environmental Pillar, Stop Climate Chaos and the Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) are strongly of the view that public land must be utilised in the public interest and that all public bodies must be mandated to lead in Ireland’s response to climate change and biodiversity loss. The Irish people should have a […]

IMMEDIATE RELEASE 16 February 2023 In a letter sent to Irish Ministers and other elected officials this week, the Environmental Pillar, Stop Climate Chaos Coalition and Sustainable Water Network called on the Government to amend mandates and legislation to ensure public bodies are fit to deliver on Ireland’s climate, biodiversity, and water objectives.  A lack […]

This is a submission on behalf of the Environmental Pillar in response to the public  consultation on Coillte’s strategic vision for its future forest estate. Our submission is informed by the decades of experience of our members who are actively involved in woodland conservation, sustainable forestry management, regulation of the forestry sector and wider environmental […]

IMMEDIATE RELEASE 27 January 2023 Deeply troubling changes to Ireland’s planning legislation have been proposed by the Government with the publication of the Draft Planning and Development Bill 2022. The bill makes fundamental changes to the current system of access to justice in the Planning and Development Act 2000. If passed, the Bill would drastically […]

IMMEDIATE RELEASE 15 December 2022 A report from the Environmental Pillar highlights that a new EU law could present a golden opportunity for Ireland to meet its national commitments for peatland restoration while investing in farm communities to protect peatlands.  The proposed Nature Restoration Law contains a range of actions and targets to cut greenhouse […]

To the Directors of PEFC International. I am writing to you on behalf of the Environmental Pillar, an organisation that works to represent the views of 32 of Ireland’s leading environmental NGOs. We work to promote environmental sustainability and the protection of our natural environment. We are the largest NGO stakeholder in the PEFC process, […]

IMMEDIATE RELEASE 13 December 2022 Today at cabinet the Government approved a new consolidated Planning Bill on foot of the review of the Attorney General of the Planning and Development Act1, with the changes to the Act to be advanced within the Oireachtas in the new year. The outline2 for this bill published today is raising […]

Summary: we welcome the targets within the NRL proposal to restore and rewet drained peatlands and organic soils under agricultural use. Rather than being onerous the NRL is an opportunity to garner EU support for our existing national commitments. However, further clarification is needed on definitions and financing. We call on Irish leaders in the […]

IMMEDEIATE RELEASE 6 December 2022 The Government has moved to bypass the remaining stages of pre-legislative scrutiny for major legislation in a push to get the Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill 2022 passed before the Christmas Recess next week. The bill as proposed will compromise the independence of An Bord Pleanála and undermine […]

This is a submission on behalf of the Environmental Pillar in response to the public consultation on Ireland’s Forest Strategy (2022 – 2030) and the associated implementation plans, and the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment obligations pertaining. Click here to read the full Environmental Pillar submission on Irelands Draft Forest Strategy (2022 – 2030). […]