Latest news with #DepartmentoftheEnvironment
Agriland
12 hours ago
- General
- Agriland
Breeding common cranes spotted in Co. Offaly bog
Bord na Móna has confirmed that a pair of common cranes have nested at a bog in Co. Offaly for the seventh consecutive year. The pair have successfully reared five chicks in the last three years, and have recently been spotted at the nesting spot by a Bord na Móna ecologist. Following careful monitoring, it has been established that the pair are once again incubating eggs. According to Bord na Móna, breeding cranes are a 'returning species' in Ireland, as cranes were formerly lost as a breeding bird. It said that initial breeding attempts were made by a single pair in 2019, 2020, and 2021. This followed successful breeding in 2022, 2023, and 2024, which marks the first time in several hundred years that the species is part of Ireland's breeding avifauna. Cranes An ecologist at Bord na Móna monitoring the birds since 2022, Chris Cullen believes that the birds are benefitting from habitat improvements associated with Bord na Móna's Peatland Climate Action Scheme (PCAS). He said: 'Over the last two breeding periods, the nesting pair and their young have been seen utilising recently rehabilitated cutaway peatlands for feeding and shelter. 'In addition, over the last number of years, several summering but non-breeding individuals have also been observed on other rehabilitated cutaway bogs in the midlands.' 'It appears a nascent breeding population is possibly becoming established, with clear links to rehabilitated peatlands in terms of usage,' Cullen added. The PCAS is a large-scale peatlands restoration project administered by the Department of the Environment, Climate, and Communications, and regulated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. It is hoped that the ongoing development of wetland habitats following rehabilitation under the present scheme will continue to support the expansion of this newly returned species in Ireland. The location of the nest is confidential in order to protect and conserve the birds. However, Bord na Móna has confirmed that the site is situated on a cutaway bog formerly used to harvest peat for energy production.
RTÉ News
12 hours ago
- General
- RTÉ News
Rare cranes return to Offaly bog for seventh year
A pair of rare common cranes, which have previously nested at a bog in Co Offaly, have returned for a seventh consecutive year. The pair, which have successfully reared five chicks in the last three years, have been seen back at their favoured nesting site by an ecologist working for Bord na Móna (BnM). Following careful monitoring it has now been established that the pair are once again incubating eggs. The location of the nest is confidential in order to protect and conserve the birds. However, it is confirmed that the site is situated on a cutaway bog, formerly used to harvest peat for energy production. "These birds are now benefitting further from habitat improvements associated with BnM's Peatland Climate Action Scheme (PCAS)" said Chris Cullen, Ecologist at BnM, who has been monitoring the Cranes since 2022. "Over the last two breeding periods, the nesting pair and their young have been seen utilising recently rehabilitated cutaway peatlands for feeding and shelter" he said. "In addition, over the last number of years, several summering, but non-breeding individuals, have also been observed on other rehabilitated cutaway bogs in the Midlands" said Mr Cullen. "It appears a nascent breeding population is possibly becoming established, with clear links to rehabilitated peatlands in terms of usage" he added. The Peatland Climate Action Scheme is a large-scale peatlands restoration project administered by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and regulated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Over 20,000 hectares has been rehabilitated under this Scheme to date. It is hoped that the ongoing development of wetland habitats following rehabilitation under the present scheme will continue to support the expansion of this newly returned species in Ireland. The crane is deeply connected to the culture and history of Ireland. They have been central to folklore tales such as Fionn Mac Cumhaill, the druids, St Colmcille and the Book of Kells.
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- General
- Irish Independent
Cork community groups funded to keep fighting climate change through innovative projects
The funding will also go towards installing solar PV installations on community buildings across the county. The projects were selected as part of the Community Climate Action Programme for their capacity to engage communities and deliver measurable climate benefits, supporting national and local climate targets. The programme, developed and funded by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), aims to address climate change at a local level and support and empower communities to shape and build low carbon, sustainable communities to contribute to national climate and energy targets. 'These projects are a wonderful example of what local communities can achieve with the right support. They reflect the energy, commitment and innovation of communities across Cork County who are playing their part in taking climate action," said the Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Joe Carroll. Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Moira Murrell, added: 'Cork County Council is committed to supporting meaningful climate action and sustainability initiatives. These projects along with the projects funded under the previous call demonstrate what can be achieved through partnership with local communities. We will continue to work closely with local communities to drive forward our shared climate goals.' The eleven community groups in County Cork to receive the climate action funding are the Tiny Feet Fairy Garden in Macroom, Charleville Tidy Towns, Kiskeam Development Association, Mitchelstown Scout Group, Dromina Community Council, Araglen Carnival, Freemount Community Development Association, Lisgoold/Leamlara Community Council, Aghinagh GAA, Conna Community Council Housing for the Elderly Association CLG, and Newmarket GAA. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Agriland
27-05-2025
- General
- Agriland
Food waste: Contamination remains a concern with brown bins
As Ireland marks its fourth National Food Waste Recycling Week, new research highlights both the progress made in brown bin usage and the ongoing challenge of contamination. Over 200,000 new brown bins were rolled out nationwide since the start of 2024, bringing the total number of brown bin owners across Ireland to around 1.2 million. However, a recent study of over 1,000 adults reveals that despite widespread brown bin usage, contamination remains a concern, potentially compromising the quality of compost and hindering efforts towards a circular economy. Food waste The research, conducted by Empathy Research on behalf of MyWaste, found that while the vast majority of people use their brown bin (84%), confusion and occasional haste can at times lead to incorrect items being disposed of in the brown bin. 33% of survey participants admitted to knowingly putting incorrect items in their brown bin, a figure that rises to 50% among younger adults (18 to 34 year-olds). The research also highlights confusion about garden waste, with younger adults mistakenly believing stones and barbeque coals can be composted. Other common items incorrectly placed in brown bins include general waste (32%), the plastic around vegetables (26%), soft plastics (24%), and food cartons (24%). The primary reason cited for knowingly putting an item in their brown bin incorrectly was being in a hurry (38%), with lack of knowledge about what is accepted in the brown bin being the second most common reason (26%). Brown bin The brown bin service accepts all types of food including raw and cooked meat and fish, plate scrapings, along with fruit and vegetable peelings. Other items that can go into the brown bin include food-soiled paper napkins, paper towels, greasy pizza boxes as well as grass clippings and light garden waste, including hedge clippings, spent compost, and dead plants. To avoid contamination, remove all packaging from food waste and avoid adding large branches, stones, rubble, plastic plant pots, barbeque coals, or other non-compostable materials from your brown bin. Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications with responsibility for Circular Economy, Alan Dillon said he was pleased to see continued growth in brown bin usage across the country. 'By working together to reduce food waste in the first instance and minimise contamination thereafter, we can ensure that our food and garden waste is transformed into valuable compost, enriching our soil, supporting sustainable agriculture and reducing our carbon footprint,' he said. Pauline McDonogh, resource efficiency officer at MyWaste, noted that 'contamination remains a challenge', despite increasing brown bin use. This National Food Waste Recycling Week (June 1–8), is launching a new campaign to tackle this problem. 'Putting the wrong items in the brown bin can compromise the recycling process, reduce the level of compost produced. 'Let's all remember: 'No metal, no glass, no plastic makes our brown bin fantastic'. By keeping contaminants out of our brown bins, we can protect our soil and contribute to a circular economy,' McDonogh said.
Irish Examiner
06-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Kerry and Cork tops as wind farms generate 35% of Irish electricity
Wind farms generated 35% of Ireland's electricity over the first four months of 2025, according to industry body Wind Energy Ireland. Average wholesale power prices fell for the third month in a row in April. The average wholesale cost of electricity has fallen from €167.51 in January to €111.11 in April, though this remains higher than prices for the same period last year. On days in April with the most wind power the average cost of a megawatt-hour of electricity was €101.33 but this rose to €124.20 on days when we relied almost entirely on fossil fuels. Demand for electricity during April 2025 fell marginally to 3,307 gigawatt-hours (GWh) from 3,315 GWh in the same month last year. The share of electricity demand met by wind energy last month was 28%, and over the four months has provided more than a third of Ireland's demand, Wind Energy Ireland chief executive Noel Cunniffe said. "At a time when our economy is under threat from tariffs, energy costs and global uncertainty we have a solution, ready-made, here in Ireland. Irish wind farms have cut bills by almost €1.7bn since 2020, that's around €320 per person," said Mr Cunniffe. Mr Cunniffe said Ireland spends €1m every hour importing fossil fuels, and estimated that tripling our onshore wind capacity would drive costs down. "Onshore wind energy is Ireland's most affordable source of new electricity. The more wind energy that we can develop, the less we rely on imported fossils fuels, and the better protected Irish families and businesses are from a volatile fossil fuel market," he said. Data from Green Collective showed Kerry wind farms provided most electricity in April with 111 GWh of power, around 12 per cent of the country's wind energy, followed by Cork (91 GWh), then Galway (63 GWh), Mayo (62 GWh), and Tyrone (59 GWh). Earlier this month, minister for climate, environment, energy, and transport Darragh O'Brien announced that work has started on a new national map to identify locations where future wind farms can be national Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP) for offshore wind will be developed by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and will involve extensive data-gathering and public consultation. It is due to be completed by the end of 2027. In April, a study by planning and environmental consultancy MKO commissioned by Wind Energy Ireland calculated that Ireland's capacity for further onshore wind development could triple.
