Ryan announces 2009 energy budget estimates
Energy minister Eamon Ryan TD has announced his department’s supplementary budget estimates for 2009.
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Energy minister Eamon Ryan TD has announced his department’s supplementary budget estimates for 2009.
Budget cutbacks in sustainable energy?
A quick look through the summary of today's budget measures at budget.gov.ie reveals the following under the list of capital expenditure measures:
Communications, Energy & Natural Resources – €15 million savings, including a reduction of €13 million in the allocation for Sustainable Energy and Energy research programmes.
Empire State Building to get low carbon makeover
The Empire State Building is set to get a low carbon makeover, according to the Guardian. The $500m renovation will aim to slash the building's energy consumption by 40 per cent and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 105,000 metric tonnes a year.
GMIT launches new degree in energy engineering
Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology has launched a new degree programme in energy engineering, commencing in September 2009 at the institute’s Dublin Road campus.
Rockwool says education key to insulation scheme
ROCKWOOL IRELAND, the world’s leading producer of stonewool insulation, has welcomed the Home Energy Saving scheme, which could help Irish homeowners save up to €700 a year on their energy bills.
Micro hydropower contribution to energy supply can double
Micro and mini hydropower generation in Ireland can at least double
from its current total contribution to the energy supply of the country
to more than 60MW.
Real Estate Alliance confirms house sales activity increase
A NEW property "barometer" by Real Estate Alliance confirms that house sales activity has significantly increased nationwide in recent weeks.
Government moves forward with plans for electric vehicles
Energy Minister Eamon Ryan today announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Irish government, ESB and Renault-Nissan in relation to electric motor vehicles.
SEI launches 2009 sustainable energy awards
Sustainable Energy Ireland has announced the launch of its annual sustainable energy awards for businesses nationwide. The awards are designed to recognise the achievement of Irish businesses who make an effort to reduce energy demand and improve environmental performance. Categories include leading energy efficiency project, pioneering renewables project, sustainable energy building excellence, and
EPA calls for low carbon economic recovery
ECONOMIC RECOVERY when it comes must involve Ireland developing a
low-carbon “smart, green economy”, the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) said yesterday.
More...
Irish Kyoto target forecasts out of date, says Cuffe
NEW PROJECTIONS for Ireland’s Kyoto targets published barely a fortnight ago may already be out of date, Green Party TD Ciaran Cuffe has said.
Velux calls for Irish homeowners to act on green intentions
Velux is calling for Irish homeowners to take positive steps to improve
the energy efficiency of their own homes. The company’s sustainable
department is planning to raise awareness of renewable technologies
though an information-led campaign at Ireland’s largest consumer-facing
exhibitions throughout 2009.Forestry Stewardship Council vs Sustainable Forestry Initiative
An interesting discussion on TreeHugger on the merits of various forestry certification programs, including the below photo (courtesy of Heart of Green) that apparently shows both FSC (Forestry Stewarship Council) and SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) certified forests.
Boosting biodiversity in the built environment
A new report from the UK's Green Building Council has recommended a variety of steps that builders, planners and architects can take to enhance biodiversity in the built environment. Among the recommended design features are:
- Nesting bricks built into cavity walls for birds such as swifts and starlings
- Ledges on high buildings that mimic cliff faces for peregrine falcons and other birds of prey
- Careful lighting and roosting boxes under bridges to allow bats to inhabit areas that are usually too bright
- Green roof and walls (explored at length in Construct Ireland last year)