Policies

A green economy should be a driver of competitiveness, security of supply and sustainability and should encorporate the economy as a whole.The Action Plan for Jobs 2012 includes a commitment to produce a Green Economy Plan during the third quarter of 2012. The UNEP definition of a Green Economy as one that results in “improved human well-being […]

The Environmental Pillar has published its policy on shale gas, calling for cessation of all fracking activities in Ireland. “The known impacts of fracking are so serious that the Government needs to act now to put a stop to all fracking activity in Ireland” said Michael Ewing speaking on behalf of the coalition of 27 […]

Policy published in November 2010. Ireland’s western Atlantic seaboard location, with its mild winters and good rainfall combine to make Ireland an ideal location to have a thriving sustainable wood economy. In former times the abundant harvest from Ireland’s great forests was legendary. This forest resource ensured the basics of good quality food, shelter and […]

Climate change remains the defining challenge of our age. The Environmental Pillar shares the National Economic and Social Council’s analysis (NESC Report 117, page xvi.) that “addressing it will have far reaching economic and social effects”, that Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions target for 2020, yet to be finalised”, “will pose considerable challenges” and, most significantly, […]

Policy Statement on the Flooding Crisis November 2009 – A call for a comprehensive and systemic review 3rd Dec 2009 Introduction If there’s anything to be learned from the ongoing catastrophic flooding events happening across Ireland, it’s that we need to work with nature not against it to prevent further disaster. This has been the […]

Follow the link below to download the Environmental Pillar’s briefing paper. This briefing paper addresses the following issues: an environmentally sustainable economy; climate change; biodiversity; planning; water; waste; and transport. briefing paper environmental pillar of social partnership (Posted on April 8, 2009)