Year: 2024
The purpose of this report is to provide a comprehensive breakdown of the EPA’s greenhouse gas emissions (hereinafter referred to as Carbon emissions) in 2023 arising from internal operations across 6 main locations; EPA Headquarters, Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford and EPA Regional Inspectorates located in Dublin, Castlebar, Kilkenny, Monaghan and Cork.
National Agricultural Inspection Programme Summary report 2023, November 2024
Year: 2024
National Agricultural Inspection Programme Summary report 2023
Authors: Mary Kelly-Quinn, Michael Bruen, Mike Bowes, Jens Carlsson, Edward Cox, Angela Gurnell, Sinéad Hogan, Ann-Marie Kelly, Marcin Penk, John O’Sullivan and Jeremy Piggott, November 2024
Year: 2024
Ireland has many commitments to both water quality and biodiversity under policies like the Water Framework Directive, national biodiversity plans, the Habitats Directive and the Nature Restoration Law. Considering these this research refocused attention on the Small Stream Network (SSNet) in terms of water quality management and policy. SSNet is the first large-scale research project in Ireland on first- and second-order streams to undertake investigations spanning hydrochemistry, multiple ecological elements and likely impact of climate change stressors. It advances knowledge on the role of small streams in water quality, biodiversity and ecosystem services and the pressures they face from diffuse and point source pollution. It recommends more water quality monitoring of small streams to help protect biodiversity and water quality further downstream, with priority protection given to areas with high regional biodiversity. Citizen science can potentially facilitate better monitoring.
Year: 2024
Hydrology bulletin on rainfall, river flows, lake levels, groundwater levels and spring outflows for October 2024., November 2024
Year: 2024
Hydrology Summary Bulletin for October 2024 outlining the flows in rivers, rainfall, lake levels and turlough levels, groundwater levels and spring outflows of over 300 stations across Ireland.
Author: Abigail O’Callaghan-Platt, November 2024
Year: 2024
Widespread use of disposable single-use sanitary items, nappies and disposable wipes are causing harm to the land and marine environments. Many sanitary items can contain significant levels of plastic (e.g. up to 90% plastic in some menstrual items) and can form a large proportion of household waste (e.g. in 2022 nappies accounted for 10%). With the Single Use Plastics Directive and Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy aiming to reduce single use plastics, and extend producer responsibility requirements, this research focuses on the use of more sustainable options for nappies, wipes and menstrual items. The research combined educational workshops and the provision of reusable alternatives through both the ‘Cloth Nappy Incentive Scheme’ and the ‘No Plastic. Period. Programme'. With a high level of public participation the research identifies four further research and four policy recommendations to enable increased national uptake of reusable nappies, baby wipes and menstrual items.
Initial Farm Inspections No by LA & Year, November 2024
Year: 2024
Authors: Michael Johnson, Narjes Fallah, Sheila Killian and Colin Fitzpatrick, October 2024
Year: 2024
Globally, energy systems are undergoing two simultaneous and radical transformations that present a new set of challenges in sustainable waste management: the electrification of the transportation network and the decarbonisation of the electricity grid. This research examines challenges and models scenarios for the sustainable management of LongWEEE. Electrical devices with a longer than average lifetime are classed as LongWEEE with this study focusing on solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and electric vehicle batteries (EVBs). Modelled results for both sectors out to 2050 show a lot of uncertainty regarding the quantities of LongWEEE that will be generated in the future, but that in dealing with inevitable increases WEEE management systems need to to be prepared to cover a range of eventualities. Both “pay when placed” and “pay when collected” financing approaches to collection and treatment were examined in the study with the “pay when placed” identified as the most prudent approach.
Year: 2024
Report of an audit carried out at Kilcommon Rearcross public drinking water supply Co. Tipperary on 30/08/2024
Year: 2024
Report of an audit carried out at Galtee Regional public drinking water supply Co. Tipperary on 30/08/2024
Year: 2024
Report of an audit carried out at Burncourt Regional public drinking water supply Co. Tipperary on 31/07/2024
Year: 2024
Report of an audit carried out at Gorey Regional (Creagh) public drinking water supply Co. Wexford on 23/07/2024
Year: 2024
Year: 2024
This document provides instructions for applicants on how to assess the predicted impact of air emissions on Natura 2000 sites, as part of licence applications from the intensive agriculture sector.
A list of registered solid fuel producers, from 1st September 2024 to 31st August 2025. , October 2024
Year: 2024
Authors: Maria Markiewicz-Keszycka, Paul Hynds, Donal O’Brien, Maeve Henchion and Áine Macken-Walsh, October 2024
Year: 2024
New agricultural practices are needed to meet EU carbon reduction targets and avoid penalties for not reaching these targets. Reporting under the Habitats Directive also suggests that, overall, farming has a negative impact on nature and biodiversity, particularly on intensive farms. Climate change and biodiversity loss are expected to have far-reaching market, economic, business and policy impacts on the agricultural sector. This research desk study sought to develop recommendations for the pro-environmental diversification of dairy and beef farms by conducting a best practice literature review, interviews with innovative farmers, a national farmers survey and modelling the environmental impact of diversification scenarios. The research provides suggestions and solutions for key policy actors and stakeholders that address the challenge of designing environmental schemes that are efficient for nature, help address climate commitments and are economically attractive for farmers.
Year: 2024
Frequently asked questions guidance document regarding Commission Implementing Decision (CID) (2022/2427) of 06 December 2022 establishing the best available techniques (BAT) conclusions under Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on industrial emissions for common waste gas management and treatment systems in the chemical sector.
Year: 2024
Frequently asked questions guidance document regarding Commission Implementing Decision (CID) (2016/902) of 30 May 2016 establishing the best available techniques (BAT) conclusions under Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council for common waste water and waste gas treatment/management systems in the chemical sector
Post Number: 000438, October 2024
Year: 2024
The EPA is expanding its Climate Services Team and is recruiting for the position of Climate Adaptation Scientist (Level 3). The successful candidate will provide expertise, analysis and insight on climate change risk, adaptation and resilience in Ireland. The person will also have a management role and will be valued member of a multidisciplinary team of technical experts in the areas of climate change impacts, risk and adaptation and resilience planning and monitoring.
Post Number: 000437, October 2024
Year: 2024
The successful candidate will work in the EPA’s Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Unit which undertakes monitoring and assessment of the ecological health of Ireland’s surface water resource. The role will involve extensive fieldwork, and travel away from the designated office location, monitoring surface waters within Ireland, as well as sample and data analysis and reporting.
