Government to introduce carbon windfall tax
Energy minister Eamon Ryan has announced that the government plans to recoup some of the profits big electricity generators have made through the EU's emissions trading scheme.
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Over Eur1 million per week insulation grants paid by SEAI
Over Eur1 million per week in energy retrofit grants are currently being paid out by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), a government official has said.
Construct Ireland amongst winners at Green Awards
Construct Ireland has picked up two awards at the 2010 Green Awards. Editor Jeff Colley won the green leader award and Construct Ireland picked up the green communications award for successful campaigning work on pay-as-you-save and a proposal to boost the impact of Building Energy Ratings, which in both cases culminated in policy commitments in the renewed programme for government, and planned launches later this year.
Pay-as-you-save scheme launched in the UK
The energy and climate change secretary, Ed Miliband, has announced details of a "green loans" scheme to help people pay for improvements to their homes to make them more energy efficient.
The scheme, which would see loans remain attached to the house where insulation, solar panels or other green technology was installed, aims to overcome the financial barriers and upfront costs people face when trying make their homes greener.
Over 100,000 Irish homes assessed under the BER scheme
Figures released from Sustainable Energy Ireland reveal that over 100,000 Irish homes have had Building Energy Ratings completed to date, the majority of which were completed since January 2009, the first year for full implementation of the BER scheme. Introduced in 2007 as a requirement of the EU Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings, the rate of BER publications has steadily increased in 2009, averaging 300 per day, Which Sustainable Energy Ireland indicates an increasing awareness of and compliance with the legislation.
Schools finances waterless urinals with pay-as-you-save
One of the mid-west region’s best known primary schools has moved to reduce its annual water and sewer charges by installing waterless urinal systems.
The Model School in Limerick City invested in the systems, installed by BR Waterless Solution, to offset the scale of metered water charges that were introduced for all schools and educational centres in January.
BER assessors association to host AGM in Dublin
The BER Assessors Association of Ireland will hold its AGM and a series of workshops tomorrow, Friday February 19, in the Red Cow Moran Hotel, Dublin.
The workshops are open to members and non-members of the association. Information stands will be hosted by FÁS, Flo Gas, Kingspan Insulation, Kingspan Solar, OWL, Ecological Building Systems, and Construct Ireland.
Irish Passive House Academy launches in Wicklow
Designers and contractors looking to keep ahead of the competition no longer have to leave Ireland to learn about cutting edge sustainable design, with the launch of a new academy specialising in passive house design.
Established by leading Irish passive house advocate Tomás O'Leary of Mosart, the Wicklow-based Irish Passive House Academy is accredited by the creators of the passive house standard - Darmstadt's Passivhaus Institut - to provide training and the pertinent internationally-accredited qualification of certified European passive house designer.
Established by leading Irish passive house advocate Tomás O'Leary of Mosart, the Wicklow-based Irish Passive House Academy is accredited by the creators of the passive house standard - Darmstadt's Passivhaus Institut - to provide training and the pertinent internationally-accredited qualification of certified European passive house designer.
Short-listed companies for 2010 Green awards announced
The finalists have been announced for the 2010 Green Awards, with a shortlist consisting of a diverse range of companies and organisations from across Irish society.
Construct Ireland has been shortlisted for two awards at the event, which will be held at the Burlington Hotel on 11 March. The magazine is a finalist for the green communications award along with Belvedere House Gardens and Park, Dell Exposure Media Services, Greenme.ie and Weee Ireland. Construct Ireland editor Jeff Colley is up for the green leader award along with Citi head of facilities Paul Boylan, Greenbusiness.ie project director Kara Flannery, Siemens CEO Dr Werner Kruckow, Vintners Federation director Sean Redmond and Vodafone Ireland CEO Charles Butterworth.
Capital L
With the goal of achieving zero carbon standards for new homes by as soon as 2013, environment minister John Gormley has committed to introducing 60 per cent energy and carbon reductions under changes to part L of the building regulations next year. John Hearne spoke to leading industry figures to find out how the revised regulation could raise standards for both new and existing homes.
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Green tax incentives for Irish businesses extended
Energy Minister Eamon Ryan today announced the extension of the Accelerated Capital Allowance Scheme. The Scheme, detailed in the Finance Bill, allows companies to buy energy efficient equipment and write off its full cost against corporation tax in the year of purchase.
Increase in energy use in Irish buildings despite recession
Rising energy use in buildings contributed to an increase of 1.5% in overall energy demand in 2008, despite the economy contracting by 3% over the same period, a new report from Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) reveals today.
SEI announces 2009 sustainable energy award winners
The retail and telecoms sectors were the big winners at Sustainable
Energy Ireland's sixth annual awards in Dublin last Friday, with Dunnes
Stores, Heatons, O2 and Eircom each taking awards at the all-island
event.
The awards aim to highlight "excellence in business energy management", and this year included entries from over 100 organisations.
Engineers urge government to act on climate change
Ireland risks social and economic disaster from climate change unless the government takes urgent action, according to the Irish Academy of Engineers.
In a new report the group says delivering critical infrastructure must be prioritised, otherwise the country risks polluted drinking water, extensive flood damage and power blackouts.