Latest news with #ClimateActionPlan
New Straits Times
16-07-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Penang plots climate of change with action plan
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Island Climate Action Plan 2030 was handed over to the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) today. The plan focuses on climate mitigation and adaptation measures. This plan provides a framework for the council to implement climate mitigation and adaptation actions. It aims to transform Penang into a low-carbon city by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The plan focuses on five themes: GREEN transportation and pedestrian prioritisation; PLANNING and managing green spaces; DEVELOPING resilient communities, and, DISASTER risk reduction and management. The document is supported by primary and secondary data, as well as international modelling tools such as the Asia-Pacific Integrated Model, which is recognised by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. This makes it a science-based and internationally credible reference. Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Seri Ir Dr Abdul Rahman Mohamed said the document is not merely a technical report. Rather, it the result of collaboration between researchers from USM, MBPP, and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, under the Urban Studies Chair, School of Social Sciences. "This collaboration represents our commitment to building a more sustainable, climate-resilient, and livable future for Penang. "As Malaysia's APEX university, USM plays a role not only in producing knowledge and technology but also in leading sustainable development initiatives that are evidence- and science-based. "Therefore, the Science to Action approach used in the development of this Climate Action Plan aligns with national aspirations and global agendas such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2030) and the Paris Agreement. He said this at the handover ceremony. Mayor Datuk Rajendran P. Anthony, who received the doucment, said the council was more than just a city management entity. He said it was an institution that supported holistic, balanced and livable development. "The plan is not just a policy document but a manifestation of a shared commitment to make Penang a carbon-free state by 2050. "It outlines steps to address climate change challenges in a more systematic and holistic way. "MBPP's role in climate action in Penang is critical. "In the context of sustainable urban development, resource management, spatial planning and policy enforcement are key elements. "With the launch of this plan, the council's role in sustainable urban development will be boosted.
Irish Examiner
15-07-2025
- Climate
- Irish Examiner
Climate body calls for urgent Government action to 'actively encourage' tree-planting
Urgent action is needed now to ensure Ireland's forestry sector — generally assumed to be a carbon sink — does not become a source of greenhouse gas emissions, the Climate Change Advisory Council has warned. Tree-planting rates remain well below the target of 8,000 hectares per year. And storms Darragh and Éowyn exposed how vulnerable Ireland's forests are to extreme weather, with more than 26,000 hectares damaged by severe winds. The damage to forests during the winter of 2024/25 is likely to result in a significant one-off increase in carbon losses from the sector, the full extent of which will not be assessed until reporting in 2026, the council said. A large proportion of the national forest estate is also approaching harvesting age, and afforestation rates are insufficient to balance the resulting removals of stored carbon, the council warned. The forestry sector is projected to have transitioned from sink to source of carbon in 2024. The Climate Change Advisory Council has issued the stark warnings in its Annual Review of the Agriculture and Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry sector report. Strengthened policy levers are required to incentivise increased tree-planting, the council said. Agriculture remains the largest source of emissions in Ireland, and this sector must reduce emissions by 25% by 2030 to meet the target in the latest Climate Action Plan. Provisional data from 2024 showed emissions had decreased by only 4.6% since 2018. The council highlighted a range of areas it said must be addressed to reduce emissions from the sector. This includes the deployment of methane-reducing manure additives, and greater use of protected urea fertilisers. Increasing diversification in the sector is also critical, particularly in relation to the National Biomethane Strategy, which the council has described as "piecemeal" and lacking joined-up thinking. Commenting on the need for improved performance from the forestry sector, Marie Donnelly, chair of the Climate Change Advisory Council said: 'What we have seen in the sector is a failure of policy, with schemes to incentivise more planting not delivering the results required. 'We need a policy from Government that will actively encourage afforestation in the areas most suited to planting. The council is concerned about plans to plant on deep peatlands, with all evidence suggesting that this leads to significant carbon losses over time. "Therefore, it is essential that the current constraints on afforestation on deep peat remain unchanged and are rigorously enforced.' The council also highlighted the opportunity for the forestry sector to deliver modern construction methods with the expansion of timber frame construction providing the potential for a strong domestic market for locally produced timber. The forestry sector contributes €2.1bn to the Irish economy, employing more than 9,400 people. One cubic metre of timber replacing concrete and steel in construction saves 0.77t CO2 emissions. Yet only 24% of building construction in Ireland is timber, compared to over 80% in places like Finland, Scotland and Sweden. Read More Healy-Rae: Time to use Irish timber for construction
RTÉ News
10-07-2025
- General
- RTÉ News
Re-turn to roll out bin surrounds programme to towns across Ireland
A scheme whereby surrounds are added to public bins to allow people to more easily retrieve discarded drink containers is being expanded around the country. The initiative from Re-turn, the administrator of the Deposit Return Scheme, follows a successful pilot programme in Dublin city. As part of the next phase, it will be rolled out around Dún Laoghaire Harbour, and also will extend to Galway City, Meath, Carlow, Clare, Westmeath and further areas of Dublin city centre in the coming months. 24 new bin surrounds have been installed across the Dún Laoghaire Harbour area for the expansion there. The bin surrounds hold about a dozen cans and bottles at the front of the bin and are attached to public bins that are already in place. The pilot programme launched in October last year saw 80 bin surrounds added across Dublin City Centre, which Re-turn said experienced a high level of public engagement and support. Research from Re-turn suggested that containers left on the bin surrounds were collected on average within 16 minutes. The aim of the project is provide a practical way to recycle on the go, while reducing landfill waste and environmental pollution. Over 1.6 billion plastic bottles and cans have been recycled through the Deposit Return Scheme since it was introduced in February 2024. The chief executive of Re-turn, Ciaran Foley, said the initiative is "committed to providing the public with convenient and visible recycling options, and the bin surrounds pilot scheme is successfully delivering on that promise". "We are encouraging the public to utilise bin surrounds and assist with the recycling of plastic bottles and cans. Together, we can support the circular economy and make a real difference in our communities and environment," he added. The chief Executive of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Frank Curran, said the addition of bin surrounds around the harbour "directly supports the implementation of our Waste Management Plan for a Circular Economy and aligns with the Council's Climate Action Plan 2024-2029".
Axios
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- Axios
Blue Bikes to expand New Orleans e-bike fleet
New Orleans' Blue Bike program will get a much-needed shot-in-the-arm with about 2,500 new e-bikes and an expanded footprint over the next five years, according to a new agreement with the city. Why it matters: More than 10% of New Orleans households don't have access to cars, according to data from 2020. Meanwhile, the city's fleet of rentable bikes has been on a steep decline. Catch up quick: City Council approved a five-year agreement June 26 with Blue Krewe, which operates the city's Blue Bike program. With $11.4 million in federal grants, the Blue Krewe will grow its staff, purchase new bikes and electric vans and build new solar-powered charging stations, according to the agreement. The big picture: The agreement is part of the city's Climate Action Plan, which calls for a more bike access and an electric vehicle-friendly city. Go deeper. Zoom in: Blue Krewe plans to buy about 500 bikes per year for five years, the city documents say.
Agriland
07-07-2025
- Science
- Agriland
Reducing finishing age for beef cattle crucial to lowering GHG emissions
Reducing the finishing age for beef cattle 'is an essential element for Irish agriculture to meet its greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets,' according to the Beef Enterprise leader in Teagasc. Dr. Paul Crosson said the key to achieving this revolves around increasing the live weight gain of beef cattle, which in turn he said also improves farm profitability. According to Teagasc between 2010 and 2022 the average finishing age of prime beef cattle reduced from 27.9 to 25.6 months, but this trend stalled in 2023 and 2024. It blamed challenging weather conditions combined with a reduction in the number of young bulls being produced which then increased the average finishing age to 26.5 months in 2024. GHG emissions But, reducing the finishing age for beef cattle is just one element that can contribute to lowering overall GHG emissions from agriculture. The message from the Teagasc Climate Centre, which is headed up by Dr. Karl Richards, is that farmers in general need to actively reduce both nitrous oxide emissions and methane emissions. Overall agriculture emissions decreased by 1.7% in 2024 according to a report published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) yesterday (Friday, July 4). In Ireland's Provisional Greenhouse Gas Emissions report for 2024 the latest figures suggest there was a reduction in national emissions of 2% compared to 2023, with reductions in almost all sectors – except for heating of homes and buildings. Agriculture emissions decreased by 1.7% or 0.3 MT CO 2 e in 2024 compared with 2023 which the EPA said was primarily due to a 2.9% reduction in cattle numbers. According to scientists at Teagasc the three primary GHG emissions of concern for the agricultural sector are methane, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide. They have highlighted that methane emissions have decreased by 2.9% since 2023, while nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide have increased by 1.2% and 2.8%, respectively. Statistics show that agriculture contributed 38% of Ireland's GHG emissions in 2024. But compared to the 2018 baseline for the 2030 Climate Action Plan target, agriculture emissions have decreased by almost 1.0 MtCO2e (4.6%). According to Dr. Richards farmers have reduced nitrogen fertiliser use, compared to 2018, but its usage increased in 2024, 'contributing to the increase in nitrous oxide emissions'. 'Protected urea use has increased rapidly from zero in 2018, to almost one third of straight nitrogen fertiliser sales in 2024. 'We need to continue to focus on technologies to both reduce our reliance on nitrogen fertiliser, while also switching to lower emission nitrogen products,' he added. Teagasc has advised farmers now to keep the focus on 'maintaining reduced nitrogen (N) fertiliser use'. It believes this is best achieved 'through nutrient management planning, following agronomic advice to ensure optimal soil fertility through lime application, recycling animal manures, application of chemical Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K), clover and grassland management'. According to Teagasc it is 'concerning' that less lime was spread in both 2023 and 2024 compared to previous years, and that the purchase of fertiliser P and K also declined in both 2023 and 2024. The authority has highlighted that 'optimising soil fertility will support lower fertiliser N usage, while also optimising conditions for grass and clover performance'. But it has also warned that Increasing the adoption of protected urea from the current 30% to over 80% is 'a challenge for the entire sector.' Methane emissions Latest research carried out at the Teagasc Climate Centre has also identified feed additives and slurry amendments that can 'significantly' reduce methane emissions on Irish farms. According to Dr Richards 'they are both on the point of being commercially available for use by farmers'. But he has warned that 'financial incentives, or subsidies' will be needed to incentivise farmers to use them. 'Business models are urgently needed to ensure timely adoption in the near future,' Dr. Richards said.
