Submission on The Draft National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development
The Irish coastline boasts an array of diverse marine species and habitats. At the same time this marine environment is a fragile ecosystem which is highly vulnerable to threats and changes. As such, it must be protected. However, aquaculture may result in a number of adverse impacts to this sensitive environment, through the accumulation of waste, alteration […]
Read moreEnvironmental Pillar representation at the National Economic Dialogue
The Environmental Pillar was represented at the recent National Economic Dialogue which was attended by the Taoiseach, Tanaiste, members of the Oireachtas and a range of social partners. The aim of the dialogue is to facilitate an open and inclusive exchange on the competing economic and social priorities facing the Government as they prepare for […]
Read moreDebunking myths about the Pine Marten
Dr Kate McAney of the Vincent Wildlife Trust was featured on Shannonside Radio debate around whether or not to cull the pine marten. Longford Councillor and local gun club member Paraic Brady started the debate claiming that pine martens are wreaking havoc in Longford. He claimed that pine martens are not native, they face no natural […]
Read moreSubmission on the Draft National Mitigation Plan
The Environmental Pillar welcomes the opportunity to input into the Draft National Mitigation Plan and looks forward to further input as the plan evolves. The Environmental Pillar strongly welcomes and supports the Minister’s commitment to transition to a low carbon future. We anticipate that this will be implemented in a clear, directional robust national mitigation […]
Read moreHazardous chemical being used in Irish forests needs to be phased out
The Environmental Pillar are calling for an end to the use of the hazardous chemical Cypermethrin in Irish forests. This chemical which kills insects is being used in significant quantities over a large area of land, some 50,000 ha, in an attempt to protect the non-native spruce and pine from pests. The Environmental Pillar believe […]
Read moreThe Environmental Pillar welcomes the Pope's call for action on climate change
The Environmental Pillar, which is made up of 28 Irish environmental NGOs, welcomes the stance taken by the Pontiff in his teaching today. The encyclical entitled ‘Laudato Si’ calls on all nations to deal squarely with climate change, to phase out the use of fossil fuels and for the world’s rich nations to begin paying […]
Read moreThe Environmental Pillar rejects eco-label given to an Irish salmon farm
UPDATE 18/6/15: SAI Global Assurances who carried out the audit of Deenish Salmon Farm have been in contact to say that a number of Environmental Pillar organisations were contacted during the consultation phase of the audit. The nature of this contact is not clear. We will update this when we know more. The Environmental […]
Read moreEU critical of Ireland’s failure to tax environmental harm
The Environmental Pillar wish to highlight the concerns raised around the failure to make Ireland’s tax system environmentally friendly. The Environmental Pillar, an advocacy coalition of 28 Irish environmental NGOs, is calling on the government to address the issues raised in the draft Country Specific Recommendations for Ireland published by the European Commission. They include: […]
Read moreBurning peat is costing our environment and the taxpayer dearly and needs to stop
The Environmental Pillar condemns the decision to continue burning peat in power stations past 2019 and calls for a transition to sustainable jobs in the Midlands. The Environmental Pillar, an advocacy coalition made up of 28 Irish environmental NGOs, is calling for a reversal of the decision by ESB and Bord na Móna to continue […]
Read moreConcerns over European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, letter to Minister Simon Coveney
Dear Minister Coveney I am writing to highlight to you issues raised at a meeting in Clonakilty earlier this month. As I understand it the issue detailed below, and in the attached letter, was raised at the meeting by both the EU Commission and our representatives on the Shadow Monitoring Committee for the Operational Programme […]
Read morePitfalls and potentials: the role of bioenergy in the EU climate and energy policy post 2020
European Governments are increasingly relying on bioenergy as a cheap way to meet targets for renewable energy. Bioenergy represented 62% of EU’s renewable energy use in 2012. But new evidence on the real climate impacts and other environmental and social impacts of bioenergy has made its use increasingly controversial. Sustainable bioenergy has a role to […]
Read moreSubmission on Local and Community Development
The Environmental Pillar made a submission on the draft Framework Policy for Community Development. [button href=”https://environmentalpillar.ie/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Submission-of-the-Environmental-Pillar-on-the-Draft-Framework-Policy-for-Local-and-Community-Development.pdf” title=”Title” target=”blank” shape=”square, rounded, pill” size=”mini, small, regular, large, x-large, jumbo” icon_only=”true” info=”popover, tooltip” info_place=”top, right, bottom, left” info_trigger=”hover, click, focus” info_content=”This content will only show up if you have decided to show a popover.”] Click here to view […]
Read moreResponse to draft EPA regulation, compliance and enforcement documents
Policy on Community Energy
Follow the link below for the Environmental Pillar’s Policy on Community Energy. Environmental Pillar Community Energy Policy March 2015
Read moreSubmission to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine on GHG Mitigation
Follow the link below to download the the submission from the Environmental Pillar, 23rd March 2015, to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s discussion document on the potential for Greenhouse Gas (GHG) mitigation within the Agriculture and Forestry Sector. [button href=”https://environmentalpillar.ie/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Environmental-Pillar-Submission-on-Agriculture-Roadmap.pdf” title=”Title” target=”blank” shape=”square, rounded, pill” size=”mini, small, regular, large, x-large, jumbo” icon_only=”true” […]
Read moreSubmission to the Public Consultation on the Regional Waste Management Plan
The Submission by the Environmental Pillar to the Public Consultation on the Regional Waste Management Plan was sent to each of the regional Waste Authorities in January 2015. The Resource Efficiency Working Group prepared the submission which details 15 recommendations including parameters for creating an effective database, appropriate waste prevention targets per capita per year […]
Read moreThe Challenges Faced at COP 20
Fr. Seán McDonagh, SSC At 10 o’clock on December 1st 2014, Manuel Plugar-Vidal, the Peruvian Minister of State for the Environment and President of COP 20 – the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – opened COP20.. The Minister is a lawyer with 27 years experience working in […]
Read moreAction on climate change needs to happen at home and abroad
The Environmental Pillar calls on the government to help those affected by climate change in developing countries not just with aid but also by doing more at home to cut emissions. The Environmental Pillar commends the government for its effort to support developing nations affected by climate change through Irish Aid but that is […]
Read moreEnvironmental Pillar highlight serious deterioration in fish stocks behind recommendations to cut number of fish caught
Annual consultation by Minister Coveney with industry and environmental groups reveals catastrophic deterioration in fish stocks. The Environmental Pillar wishes to highlight the serious deterioration of Ireland’s fish stocks which has prompted recommendations by scientists to drastically reduce the numbers of fish caught next year. The Environmental Pillar, which represents 28 national environmental […]
Read moreNew government Agri-Food plans welcomed by Environmental Pillar
The Environmental Pillar welcomes the decision of the Minister Simon Coveney to make the new agri-food strategy a government initiative rather than an industry led plan. The Environmental Pillar, which represents 28 national environmental NGOs, welcomes the announcement of a committee to prepare the new strategy and the tendering of an environmental analysis of the […]
Read moreStatement on an EU Legally Binding Agreement on Forestry
The Environmental Pillar calls on the Irish Government to actively seek the completion of the EU Legally Binding Agreement on Forests (LBA). Sustainably managed natural and semi-natural forests are an infinitely renewable resource and deserve to be granted the highest priority in this LBA. [button href=”https://environmentalpillar.ie/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Environmental-Pillar-Statement-on-an-EU-Legally-Binding-Agreement-on-Forestry.pdf” title=”Title” target=”blank” shape=”square, rounded, pill” size=”mini, small, regular, large, […]
Read moreIreland is way off track for 2020 climate targets, European study finds
The Environmental Pillar is calling on the government to end its disjointed approach to emissions targets and put Ireland at the forefront of climate change action. The Environmental Pillar, which is made up of 28 Irish environmental NGOs, is disappointed but not surprised by the European Environment Agency (EEA) study which found Ireland will not […]
Read moreResponse to EU Climate Targets 2030
In the early hours of Friday morning, EU leaders in Brussels agreed three targets for carbon reductions in 2030. However, the Environmental Pillar are concerned at the low levels of these targets which see a 40% reduction in greenhouse gases, 27% increase in renewable energy and a 27% increase in energy efficiency over 1990 levels. […]
Read moreReport from the 7th Meeting of the European Advisory Committees on Biosafety in the field of contained use and deliberate release of GMOs, Amsterdam 16th-17th October 2014
Sadhbh O’Neill In attendance as member of EPA advisory committee on GMOs, representing the Environmental Pillar. This symposium is an event to facilitate dialogue between the scientific experts across the EU and EEA on current trends in regulating the contained use and deliberate release of GMOs. This document is merely intended to be a personal […]
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