Environmental Pillar

Working for a Sustainable Future

Government planning bill brings more dysfunction, delay and uncertainty for housing

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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 […]

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Only an ambitious Nature Restoration Law will deliver for Irish peatlands

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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 […]

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Environmental Pillar Letter to PEFC International Calling for the Suspension of Draft PEFC Irish National Forest Standard Public consultation on behalf of PEFC Social and Environmental Stakeholder Group

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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, […]

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Major planning changes proposed before and after Christmas

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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 […]

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Supporting greater ambition for Ireland’s Peatlands in the EU Nature Restoration law

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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 […]

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Government rushes planning legislation, eroding independence & public confidence in An Bord Pleanála

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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 […]

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Ireland’s Draft Forest Strategy (2022 – 2030)

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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). […]

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Ireland’s Fourth National Biodiversity Action Plan 2023-2027

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Submission on behalf of the Environmental Pillar on Ireland’s Fourth National Biodiversity Action Plan. In May 2019, Dáil Eireann declared a climate and biodiversity emergency making Ireland only the second country to do so. Despite this and a multitude of government commitments, targets and timelines we continue to see the health of the environment deteriorate […]

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Environmental Pillar submission to the consultation on Ireland’s Climate Action Plan 2023

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The Environmental Pillar’s submission covers the following areas:

The Framework
Avoid impacting biodiversity
Carbon Pricing and Cross-Cutting Issues
Transport
Agriculture, Land Use and Forestry
Buildings
Waste and the Circular Economy

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No time to waste: Budget 2023 must Prioritise Biodiversity, Climate and Protecting the Vulnerable.

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No time to waste: Budget 2023 must Prioritise Biodiversity, Climate and Protecting the Vulnerable.   23 September 2022   IMMEDIATE RELEASE  The Government must prioritise biodiversity, climate and protecting the vulnerable in Budget 2023 according to the Environmental Pillar, Ireland’s largest coalition of environmental groups. The dual climate and biodiversity crises require urgent action and […]

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