Environmental Pillar

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 […]