Stakeholder Consultation on the Transposition of the Revised ETS Directive

Published
by
admin
on February 3, 2010
in Consultations
. 0 Comments

Title: Stakeholder Consultation on the Transposition of the Revised ETS Directive
Location: DoEHLG
Link out: Click here
Start Date: 2010-02-03
End Date: 2010-02-24

Stakeholder Consultation on the Transposition of the Revised ETS Directive

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government invites comments from stakeholders and interested parties on the transposition of the revised Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) Directive (2009/29/EC).

The revised ETS Directive provides substantial amendments to the ETS Directive (2003/87/EC) so as to provide for a more efficient, more harmonised and fairer system.  The aim of the EU ETS is to help EU Member States achieve their commitments to limit or reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a cost-effective way.  Allowing participating companies to buy or sell emission allowances means that emission cuts can be achieved at least cost.

The revised ETS Directive will be transposed in 2 phases by secondary legislation.  A consultation document outlining the approach being adopted in transposing the Directive and detailing the first phase of transposition is provided to assist this consultation process.  The draft Regulations for Phase 1 are outlined in a separate document - Draft European Communities (Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading) (Amendment) Regulations 2010.  The purpose of these Regulations is to prepare for the revised operation of the Community scheme from 2013 onwards.

Continue reading ‘Stakeholder Consultation on the Transposition of the Revised ETS Directive’

Consultation on the socio-economic implications of the placing on the market of GMOs for cultivation

Published
by
admin
on February 2, 2010
in Consultations and Energy
. 0 Comments

Title: Consultation on the socio-economi implications of the placing on the market of GMOs for cultivation
Location: Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Start Date: 2010-02-03
End Date: 2010-02-24

GMOs consultation advert

GMOs consultation document

EU legislation on Genetically Modified Organisms provides for an assessment of the socio-economic implications of deliberate releases and placing on the market of GMOs through direct reference (Directive 2001/18/EC) and indirectly by reference to “other legitimate factors relevant to the matter under consideration” (EU Regulation 1829/2003). The European Commission has invited Member States to submit all information they would consider relevant, so as to initiate an analysis of socio-economic implications.

Continue reading ‘Consultation on the socio-economic implications of the placing on the market of GMOs for cultivation’

World Bank 2010 Environment Strategy Consultation

Published
by
admin
on November 20, 2009
in Consultations
. 0 Comments

Title: World Bank 2010 Environment Strategy Consultation
Start Date: 2009-10-01
End Date: 2010-02-15

The World Bank is carrying out a broad consultation to define its environmental strategy in 2010. There will be regional consultations and there is a space for public dialogue.

You are encouraged to take a moment to read the concept strategy and make comments directly to the Bank online. Additionally, there will be 25 regional consultations for stakeholders to attend these dialogues.

You can read more about the consultations online:

http://www.accessinitiative.org/blog/2009/11/world-bank-environmental-strategy-let-your-voice-be-heard

http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/TOPICS/ENVIRONMENT/0,,contentMDK:22276657~pagePK:210058~piPK:210062~theSitePK:244381,00.html

OSPAR Convention\’s Quality Status Report 2010 - eConsultation now open

Published
by
admin
on November 13, 2009
in Consultations
. 0 Comments

Title: OSPAR Convention\’s Quality Status Report 2010 - eConsultation now open
Start Date: 2009-11-01
End Date: 2009-11-30

External Link

The Quality Status Report (QSR) is a science based holistic evaluation of the quality status of the marine environment of the North-East Atlantic. It also assesses the progress OSPAR has made towards the objectives of its strategies on biodiversity and ecosystems, eutrophication, hazardous substances, offshore industries and radioactive substances.

The QSR is intended to direct future policies for the protection and conservation of the marine environment of the North-East Atlantic and will be launched at the OSPAR 2010 Ministerial Meeting. It will also provide a major component of the initial assessment that EU Member States are required to prepare under the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive.

The subject of this consultation is the QSR 2010 synthesis report which has been prepared for policy makers and the general public. It summarises 10 years of assessment work of the Contracting Parties to the OSPAR Convention under the OSPAR Joint Assessment and Monitoring Programme. The thematic assessments on which the QSR 2010 synthesis report is based are made accessible as reference documents.

Consultation on Section 60 Policy Direction on a proposed cap to incineration capacity as a proportion of municipal waste arisings (MSW) and other matters.

Published
by
admin
on July 5, 2009
in Consultations
. 0 Comments

Title: Consultation on Section 60 Policy Direction on a proposed cap to incineration capacity as a proportion of municipal waste arisings (MSW) and other matters.
Location: Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Deadline: 17th July, 2009

Consultation on Section 60 Policy Direction on a proposed cap to incineration capacity as a proportion of municipal waste arisings (MSW) and other matters.

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government recently arranged for environmental consultants to prepare an Environmental Report, according to Strategic Environmental Assessment requirements, to inform the policy making process for waste management in respect of a proposed Section 60 policy direction to achieve the following objectives:

  • to ensure that incineration capacity does not reach a level such that waste is drawn to incineration which could have been dealt with by prevention, reuse, recycling, composting/anaerobic digestion of source segregated biowaste, MBT or other methods higher up the waste hierarchy
  • to ensure that the waste hierarchy is complied with in that local authorities, as waste management authorities, do not direct holders of waste to deliver it to lower elements in the waste hierarchy, thereby preventing them acting in support of waste management options at the bottom of the hierarchy;
  • to ensure that the waste hierarchy is complied with in that local authorities, as waste management authorities, could direct holders of waste to deliver it to higher elements in the waste hierarchy, thereby encouraging them to act in support of waste management options at the top of the hierarchy;
  • to minimise the air pollution arising from trucks accessing waste facilities in built-up areas;
  • to ensure appropriate monitoring of air pollution in the vicinity of major waste facilities;
  • to reduce air soil and water pollution from incineration and comply with the Stockholm Convention


In advance of finalising the Strategic Environmental Assessment comments on the report’s recommendations are invited from relevant stakeholders and any other interested parties.


Section 60 Policy Direction Capping Incineration of Municipal Waste and Other Matters - Consultation Document  (doc, 20,579kb)

Comments should be submitted by email or by post to the address below and before Friday 17 July 2009.

Consultation on cessation of turf cutting

Published
by
admin
on June 20, 2009
in Consultations
. 0 Comments

Title: Consultation on cessation of turf cutting
Location: Department of Environment
Deadline: 17/07/09

The deadline for submissions to the working group on the cessation of turf cutting is July 17. Submissions can be made by email to designated.bogs@environ.ie

or in writing to: The Secretary, Cessation of Turf Cutting Working Group, National Parks & Wildlife Service, 7 Ely Place, Dublin. The working group is due to report its recommendations to the Minister in October of this year.

Article on Department website, dated 27/03/09

http://www.environ.ie/en/Heritage/NationalParksandWildlife/News/MainBody,19872,en.htm

Government approves continuation of turf cutting for 2009

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr John Gormley, today (27 Mar 09) announced that the Government is putting in place a broad consultative process to prepare for the phasing out of domestic turf cutting on designated raised bog Special Areas of Conservation and Natural Heritage Areas over the coming years. Turf cutting on over 95% of Irish peatlands, will be unaffected. In addition, cutting on blanket bog Special Areas of Conservation will be allowed to continue under the current restrictions.

Cutting on all bogs during 2009 will be allowed to continue as before.

Most bogs not affected
A derogation, permitting a ten year continuation of cutting for domestic use, which was granted by the Government in 1999, expires this year on 32 raised bogs. The Minister said that only a small proportion, 4%, of peatlands in the State would be affected by this measure. There are over 1,500 raised bogs in the State and only 139 of these have been designated for nature protection.

Proposals to be drawn up for bogs affected
The Minister announced the establishment of a working group to examine and report on issues involved in implementing the cessation and undertaking the restoration of these bogs. This group is to report back to the Government by the autumn with proposals on methods of compensation, where appropriate, overall costs, possible sources of funding, and on the administration of the cessation of turf cutting and restoration of these bogs. The Working Group will be made up of officials from relevant Government Departments, Offices and Agencies and will be required to consult widely with relevant interests.
Ireland has large portion of EU’s remaining raised bogs
The Minister said: “Raised bogs are hugely important and support exceptional but increasingly rare ecosystems. Because of this they are priority habitats under the EU Habitats Directive and Ireland is legally obliged to protect them. We have already exploited over 95% of the raised bogs that we once had. It is right for us to ensure protection of a small proportion of what remains. Although the Government has operated a voluntary purchase scheme for the past 10 years, and restrictions have been in place for cutting on designated raised bogs, these measures have been unsuccessful in protecting these bogs. The scientific advice is very clear. Continued turf-cutting on protected raised bogs is incompatible with their preservation. Therefore the Government has no option but to bring about a complete cessation of turf cutting on these sites, as signalled in 1999.” said Minister Gormley

“Last year, I published a review of the state of our habitats that revealed severe and continuing damage to protected raised bogs.  Because of continued turf-cutting and associated drainage, we are losing the last remnants of this rare habitat at a rate of 2% to 4% per annum.”

“I am setting up the Working Group to consider and report back as a matter of urgency on questions such as the provision of compensation, where appropriate, and how to achieve effective preservation and restoration of these bogs. The Government is fully aware of the concerns of people using these bogs at present, and of those interested in their preservation. The Working Group will be asked to invite the views of interested parties and give them an opportunity to raise concerns they might have.”  Minister Gormley added.

Bogs Contribute to Carbon Reduction, Reduced Flooding and Water Quality
The Minister added that intact bogland is a valuable long term resource as a carbon sink.    “Active or growing bogs take carbon from the atmosphere and store it. Restoring these bogs will be positive in terms of climate change mitigation”. Intact bogs also serve as reservoirs for water and help to mitigate against flooding.

ENDS

Note for Editors

· The total area of bogland available for cutting peat is 850,000 hectares which includes all blanket bog and raised bog areas with the potential to extract turf.

· The maximum total area for which is proposed to end turf cutting now or in the future is 35,000ha or just over 4%.

· The total area of privately owned raised bog habitat on the 32 bogs on which it is now proposed to end cutting by the end of 2009 is estimated to be 7,774 hectares or less than 1%. The State has already acquired a third of the area of these bogs.

Media queries:
Press and Information Office
Tel: (01) 888 2638  (direct)
(01) 888 2000
E-Mail: press-office@environ.ie
Web site: www.environ.ie

Consultation on the Legislation to Transpose the Aviation Directive

Published
by
admin
on June 12, 2009
in Consultations
. 0 Comments

Title: Consultation on the Legislation to Transpose the Aviation Directive
Location: Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Link out: Click here
Deadline: 2009-07-03

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government invites comments from interested parties on the legislation transposing the Aviation Directive (2008/101/EC).

The Aviation Directive extends the Emissions Trading Scheme to aviation activities. It aims to reduce the climate change impact attributable to aviation by including emissions from aviation activities in the Emissions Trading Scheme. This will lead to a reduction of CO2 across the EU.

The Directive will be transposed in 2 phases by secondary legislation. A consultation document outlining the approach being adopted in transposing the Directive and detailing the first phase of transposition is provided to assist this consultation process. The draft Aviation Regulations (Phase 1) as well as a guidance document on the Regulations are also provided. The Environmental Protection Agency will be designated as the competent authority for the purposes of the Directive and the legislation transposing it.

More information

Review of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 - Public Consultation

Published
by
admin
on June 9, 2009
in Consultations
. 0 Comments

Title: Review of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 - Public Consultation
Location: Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Governmen
Link out: Click here
Description: The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is currently reviewing the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 and public comments are now sought.
Deadline: 2009-07-10

Review of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004  - Public Consultation

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is currently reviewing the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 and public comments are now sought.

Residential Tenancies Act 2004

The Residential Tenancies Act of 2004 instituted a comprehensive reform of the private rental sector and as part of that the Private Residential Tenancies Board was established in 2004. Additionally, the Act set out a modern legislative code that strengthened tenants’ rights and supported a more professional approach by landlords.
Residental Tenancies Act 2004

Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB)

The PRTB was established as an independent statutory body in September 2004 and its principal functions are:

  • the operation of a national registration system for private rental tenancies,
  • the resolution of disputes between tenants and landlords, and
  • the provision of information, assistance and advice to the Minister and to the general private rental sector.

At 30 April 2009, over 221,000 active tenancies were registered with the PRTB, representing 107,500 landlords and more than 379,000 tenants.

During 2007 the PRTB received almost 1,500 dispute applications for determination, and slightly in excess of that in 2008.  These disputes are in areas such as deposit retention, illegal eviction, rent arrears, anti-social behaviour and various other breaches of landlord or tenant obligations.

Review

The purpose of the Review is to consider whether the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 optimally supports the PRTB’s key functions and whether legislative amendments would support either the achievement of additional operational efficiencies or the broader good working of the private rented sector. However, the fundamental balance between landlords’ and tenants’ rights, established by the Residential Tenancies Act 2004, will not be disturbed. The Review will examine the specific issues set out below as well as other issues identified in the course of the Review.

Terms of Reference

  1. The scope for enhancing procedural simplicity and efficiency.
  2. To consider the existing Board and Committee structure and the functional relationship between the Board and Executive.
  3. To consider the relationship between the Minister/Department and the PRTB.
  4. Legislative issues, including proposals already made by the Board, and to examine the need for additional legislative provisions arising from the review.

Opinions, Comments

Comments should be returned BY FRIDAY 10 JULY 2009, to Private Housing Section, Custom House, Dublin 1, 01 - 8882309/8882258, email: private.housing@environ.ie

Meeting Ireland’s electricity needs post-2020

Published
by
admin
on June 2, 2009
in Energy
. 0 Comments

Title: Meeting Ireland’s electricity needs post-2020
Location: Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security
Deadline: 20th July, 2009

Joint Commitee on climate change and energy security

Call for submissions

Meeting Ireland’s electricity needs post-2020

The Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security, chaired by Sean Barrett T.D., is a Parliamentary Committee comprising members of Dáil Eireann and Seanad Eireann. The Orders of Reference of the Committee include a requirement “to consider the levels of power supply that can be generated from renewables and other new power supplies”. The Joint Committee now wishes to consult more widely on matters relating to meeting our electricity needs post-2020, recognising that the long-term goal is to decarbonise the electricity system in ways that would be compatible with overarching sustainable development policy.

Given the pervasive nature of the issues involved and their local and national impact, the Joint Committee believes that the widest possible consultation is necessary and hereby invites written submissions from all interested individuals and organisations. A guidance note on the areas submissions should address is available on the Oireachtas website (www.oireachtas.ie) under the Joint Committee’s Home Page. Submissions received will be posted on the website.

Submissions should be made not later than 6 July 2009 and may be emailed to: energysecurity@oir.ie

or posted to:

Clerk to the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security
Leinster House
Kildare Street
Dublin 2.

Guidance for Submissions

Overview

The Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security’s orders of reference require it, inter alia, “to consider the levels of power supply that can be generated from renewables and other new power supplies”.

The Committee has reviewed the EU 2020 Climate Change Package and has noted the Government’s level of ambition for renewable energy in electricity supply, the EU’s commitment to and proposals for the demonstration of carbon capture and storage, and has heard evidence on nuclear energy.

The Committee, recognising that the long-term goal is to de-carbonise the electricity system, now wishes to consult more widely on matters relating to meeting our electricity requirements post-2020 in ways that would be compatible with Ireland’s overarching sustainable development needs and policy.

The purpose of this consultation is to identify any steps that we should take now to be in a position to facilitate investment and other decisions to ensure the sustainability of electricity supply post-2020. The White Paper “Delivering a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland” has set clear goals, actions and targets for the electricity supply system to 2020.

Given the economically and socially pervasive nature of the issues involved, and their local and national impacts, the Committee believes that the widest possible consultation is necessary and hereby invites submissions from all interested individuals and organisations.

Terms of reference

The consultation aims to inform the Committee specifically on the levels of power supply that can be generated from:

  • renewable energy sources
  • other new power supplies

having considered:

  • medium and long-term climate change targets and the key measures needed to meet those targets

and in the context of:

  • the projected energy demand from transport and the implications for energy security and emissions targets.

Scope

The scope of the consultation and subsequent process is to identify what steps, if any, need to be taken in the near-term to ensure the sustainable development of electricity supply beyond 2020 and further that no viable power supply option is inadvertently closed off for consideration and effective deployment for lack of timely support or attention.

There are three competing classes of options under development which may be characterised as:

  • Renewable energies (new and existing)
  • Carbon capture and storage (CCS)
  • Nuclear

These are the primary technologies and related topics on which responses are invited in the context of effective demand management, energy security and greenhouse gas emission abatement targets.

Policy Context

The emphasis in current policy for the power generation mix is on the exploitation of renewable energy sources (40% by 2020) and the management of our dependence on natural gas (limited to not more than 50% in electricity generation by 2020) combined with the phasing out of oil and the implied reduced role for coal and peat supplemented by biomass.

On the demand side there is a firm commitment to maximise Ireland’s Energy Efficiency as set out in the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan 2009-2020. The target for 2020 is a 20% improvement in end use efficiency across the economy. Furthermore it is the Government’s ambition that 10% of new cars be electric by 2020.

Those making submissions can consult the Government White Paper “Delivering a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland”.

http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/NR/rdonlyres/54C78A1E-4E96-4E28-A77A-3226220DF2FC/27356/EnergyWhitePaper12March2007.pdf

Following its launch in January 2008, the EU 2020 Climate Change package received its first reading at the European Parliament on December 17 and was adopted on 9th April 2009. If agreement on an international climate framework to succeed Kyoto is reached at COP15 in Copenhagen, the EU’s emission reduction target increases to 30% and Ireland’s level of effort will ramp up as a result.

This level of ambition, when combined with renewable energy targets of 16% in energy supply and with a 20% increase in energy efficiency throughout the economy, will drive significant change in the whole energy system, with even greater impacts on electricity supply and use.

The IEA World Energy Outlook 2008 concluded that the growth in energy demand world-wide, and for oil in particular, was unsustainable. A supply of reliable and affordable energy could be effected by a rapid transition to a low-carbon, efficient and environmentally benign energy system. Central to the evolution of such a system is the de-carbonisation of the electricity supply system.

To achieve a climate stabilisation scenario of 2 degrees Celsius or a CO2 equivalent concentration of 450ppm, the IEA has identified the most likely world-wide sources of the required emission reductions as energy efficiency (54%), renewable energy (23%), CCS (14%), and nuclear (9%).

Given the recent experience of natural gas price volatility, its impact on competitiveness, and the ongoing need to de-carbonise electricity supply in the longer term, there will be a requirement for informed strategic decision-making in relation to the role of gas and other low carbon energy sources in electricity supply post-2020.

Questions for respondents

Submissions are invited to address the following the questions. Please respond to any or all of the questions and, if possible, supply references to published material to support your answers.

  1. What do you consider to be the current state of readiness, likely feasibility, and efficacy of the principal options for new sources of power generation in Ireland post-2020?
  2. What measures should be taken to improve the prospects for the deployment of new sources of power generation after 2020?
  3. Do you have a view on how or whether recourse to one or more principal options precludes others?
  4. How should competing options be evaluated and who should be consulted?
  5. Do current, and future envisaged, electricity market structures raise issues for the putative new generation sources?
  6. What supports, tariffs, and other provisions, if any, are appropriate for each of the technology options?
  7. Considering the scale of investment needed and the long lead times associated with additional infrastructure and new generation sources such as CCS and nuclear, how could these and other factors that impact on the cost of capital be mitigated in the public interest?
  8. Do the arrangements in place for infrastructure planning, permitting and provision strike an appropriate balance between private and public interests?
  9. Are there stand-alone distributed generation technologies, or cross-cutting technologies such as CHP, for which special provision should be made?
  10. Is the balance of emphasis on expanding electricity supply and reducing demand growth optimal? How is it best measured and expressed?

Submissions should be sent by 6th July 2009 to:

Clerk to the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security
Leinster House
Kildare Street
Dublin 2

Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund 2009

Published
by
admin
on June 1, 2009
in Funding
. 0 Comments

Title: Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund 2009
Location: Department of Environment
Deadline: 2009-06-12

Download application form

Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund 200

  • Proposals for Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership projects should be submitted to the relevant local authority by Friday 12th June 2009.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

1.      Commercial/business projects are not eligible for funding.

2.      If making more than one application please ensure you use the same project title and full name in all cases.

3.      In order to ensure that the fund prioritises locally identified environmental needs, it should be noted that no single project may apply to more than ten local authorities.

4.      Approval of a grant application is conditional on tax clearance requirements being met.  Where the combined total value of all your applications exceeds €10,000 nationwide, you are required to submit a copy of your current Tax Clearance Certificate with each application.

5.      If this application for funding is successful, the applicant will be required to submit a brief report to the Local Authority on the achievements of the project before Monday 3rd May 2010. Failure to do so may jeopardise future funding under the scheme.

6.      Projects deemed worthy of support might include community gardens, allotments and compost schemes, rainwater harvesting systems, ecological education initiatives and environmental exhibitions.

Further information can be obtained from the Environment Awareness/Education Officer of your local authority or on-line at www.environ.ie