Latest Publications

Research 472

Research 472: Updated High-resolution Climate Projections for Ireland

Authors: Paul Nolan, December 2024

Year: 2024

Climate change poses significant risks to Ireland’s economy, society and environment. To enable appropriate mitigation and adaptation measure into the future, it is imperative that planners and policymakers are informed about future climate change projections. Addressing knowledge gaps in regional climate projections, this research used scenario-based projections (SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0 and SSP5-8.5) to simulate the future climate in Ireland (up to the year 2100). It used the most up-to-date regional climate models at a higher resolution (4 km grid spacing). Broadly in agreement with previous research, this research projects increases in temperature and heatwaves, decreases in frost and snow, increases in both dry and heavy rainfall events, less wind and longer growing seasons among many other things. The research provides Ireland with data to explore its future climate and enables an assessment of impacts across sectors, at regional and local levels.

2024 Q2 Report

Quarterly Greenhouse Gas Emissions Indicator Report 2024 Quarter 2

Year: 2024

This is the second EPA report in a new series of quarterly greenhouse gas emissions for Ireland to support more frequent monitoring of national and sectoral progress on climate action. The series will complement the national greenhouse gas inventory and projections prepared annually by the EPA. Emissions in quarter 2 2024 were down by 4.1 per cent on the same quarter last year. This was mainly driven by declining emissions from electricity generation (-19.1 per cent), agriculture (-4.6 per cent) and industrial processes (-9.4 per cent). It should be noted that these data have been seasonally adjusted to provide a clearer picture of the underlying trends independent of seasonal fluctuations.

Climate Research 2023

2023 Climate Research Highlights

The National Environmental Coordination Group (NERCG) supports and promotes coordination and knowledge exchange between state bodies involved in funding Environmental research in Ireland., December 2024

Year: 2024

This report has been prepared by the EPA on behalf of the NERCG to highlight climate and climate-related funding by the members for the previous year.

Research 471

Research 471: FoodPath – Investigating Behavioural Interventions to Reduce Food Waste in Irish Households

Authors: Colum Gibson, Eileen Mitchell, Keelin Tobin, Alberto Longo, Sarah O’Connor and Elizabeth Gold, December 2024

Year: 2024

Food waste is a global issue with significant economic, social and environmental impacts, it is responsible for 8–10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Ireland aims to reduce food waste by 50% by 2030 through initiatives like the Climate Action Plan, Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, and National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap. With food waste influenced by several socio-economic factors, behaviours and attitudes, EPA estimate that in Ireland 29% is generated by households. Building on the EPA's Stop Food Waste programme, the FoodPath project implemented two interventions: Intervention A using tools, nudges, and messaging via waste collectors proved a cost-efficient household food waste reduction model. Intervention B, targeting social norms via community groups, was less impactful but showed potential to amplify the effects of Intervention A. The research provides recommendations for behaviour change strategies and pathways for large-scale reductions in household food waste.

Waste Battery Management Report Template 2024

Year: 2024

This template is be used by self-complying battery producers to prepare their annual waste battery management report in compliance with the European Union (Batteries and Accumulators) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 283 of 2014). It is a macro-enabled template and should be completed by validly registered self-complying battery producers.

Early insights indicator report - Nitrogen concentrations in selected major rivers January-June 2024

Early insights indicator report: Nitrogen concentrations in selected major rivers, January-June 2024

Year: 2024

The purpose of this report is to provide an early insight into nitrogen concentrations in major rivers in Ireland on a 6-monthly basis, in advance of the more comprehensive annual water quality assessments which are published on an annual basis.

Oifigeach Clár III (Leibhéal 5) Ginearálta

Uimhir phoist: 000504, December 2024

Year: 2024

Comhlíonfaidh an t-iarrthóir rathúil ról Oifigeach Cláir III (Leibhéal 5) Ginearálta agus sannfar ról riaracháin dó/di le freagracht as raon tascanna sa réimse a shanntar. Tá an EPA ag lorg iarrthóirí a léiríonn go bhfuil ar a gcumas ardleibhéal freagrachta a ghlacadh agus a d’fhéadfadh a bheith i gceannas agus dul ar aghaidh chuig poist níos sinsearaí san eagraíocht amach anseo.

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Programme Officer III (Level 5) General

Post Number: 000504, December 2024

Year: 2024

The successful candidate will fulfil the role of Programme Officer III (Level 5) General and will be assigned an administrative role with responsibility for a range of tasks in the area assigned. The EPA is looking for candidates who demonstrate the ability to take on a high level of responsibility with the potential to lead and to progress to more senior positions in the organisation in the future.

Hydrology Bulletin November 2024

Hydrology Summary Bulletin - November 2024

Hydrology bulletin on rainfall, river flows, lake levels, groundwater levels and spring outflows for November 2024, December 2024

Year: 2024

Hydrology Summary Bulletin outlining the flows in rivers, rainfall, lake and turlough levels, groundwater levels and spring outflows of over 300 stations across Ireland for the month.

Oifigeach Eolaíochta I (Leibhéal 3) Fianaise Talún

Uimhir phoist: 000502, December 2024

Year: 2024

Comhlíonfaidh an t-iarrthóir rathúil ról Oifigeach Eolaíochta I (Leibhéal 3) Fianaise Talún. Cruthóidh an EPA painéal ón bhfeachtas earcaíochta seo ónar féidir folúntais Oifigeach Eolaíochta I (Leibhéal 3) a líonadh amach anseo. Beidh an post bunaithe i gCeanncheathrú an EPA i Loch Garman ag obair in Oifig Fianaise agus Measúnaithe an EPA.

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Senior Manager (Level 2) – Technical and Regulatory

Post Number: 000501, December 2024

Year: 2024

The candidate(s) appointed will be assigned a senior management role and will be responsible for leading a team which involves core enforcement and regulatory functions of the organisation, such as; licensing, enforcement, scientific evaluation/assessment, circular economy, climate science, data assessment and reporting.

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Scientific Officer I (Level 3) Land Evidence

Post Number: 000502, December 2024

Year: 2024

The successful candidate will fulfil the role of Scientific Officer I (Level 3) Land Evidence. The EPA will form a panel from this recruitment campaign from which future Scientific Officer I (Level 3) Land Evidence vacancies may be filled. The post will be based in EPA Headquarters Wexford working in the EPA Office of Evidence and Assessment.

Encouraging Cooperation in Climate Collective Action Problems

Behavioural Insights Series No. 3, December 2024

Year: 2024

This report examines how behavioural science can help solve the climate collective action problems.

HSE and EPA Joint Position Statement on trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids in drinking water

Year: 2024

The position paper has been developed by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It provides a summary of the issues in relation to trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids in drinking water including legislation, health impacts and interventions. This revised paper was published in December 2024.

Liffey Head Bog Appropriate Assessment Screening Determination

Year: 2024

Appropriate Assessment Screening Determination -Liffey Head Bog, National Ecosystem Monitoring Network Level 2 Site, Kippure, County Wicklow

LAPF Report cover 2023

Local Authority Environmental Enforcement Performance Report 2023

The best way to view this report is the interactive version linked below. , December 2024

Year: 2024

This report sets out the results of the EPA’s assessment of local authority environmental enforcement performance for 2023. This assessment is based on the EPA’s Local Authority Performance Framework where performance is measured and reported against National Enforcement Priorities (NEPs) focused on improving environmental compliance and achieving positive outcomes for waste, water, air and noise.

The Individual Local Authority Performance Results 2023 cover image

Environmental Enforcement Individual Local Authority Performance Results 2023

Year: 2024

These results should be read in conjunction with the Local Authority Environmental Enforcement Performance Report 2023

EPA Audit on Westmeath County Council 06/09/2024

EPA Audit on Westmeath County Council 06/09/2024, November 2024

Year: 2024

EPA Audit on Galway City Council 04/09/2024

EPA Audit on Galway City Council 04/09/2024, November 2024

Year: 2024