Advertisement

Readers like you keep news free for everyone.

More than 5,000 readers have already pitched in to keep free access to The Journal.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can help keep paywalls away.

Support us today
Not now
Saturday 25 March 2023 Dublin: 12°C

# Climate Change

January
January 2023
# plastic waste
England to ban single-use plastic cutlery and plates two years after EU
Ireland, along with other EU members, introduced a similar move in 2021.
# Climate Change
Pakistan flood recovery needs 'massive' investment, says UN leader
Pakistan’s Prime Minister told the conference his country was ‘racing against time’ to deal with the consequences of last year’s flooding.
Voices
Opinion: Worried about climate change? Here's how you can make a real difference this year
Hans Zomer of Global Action Plan has some tips for engaging with others and changing your habits to help the planet.
# Climate Change
Scientists warn 80% of Earth’s glaciers ‘will be gone by 2100 if global temperatures rise by 4C’
Even in the best-case scenario, where the temperature increase is limited to 1.5C, around half of the glaciers will disappear, experts predict.
# heat wave
2022 confirmed as Ireland's hottest year on record
High temperature records for July and August were also broken last year during heatwave conditions.
# Climate Change
'Very unusual event': Temperature records shattered in Europe
Ireland has been so far excluded from this, remaining on the cusp of the unseasonably warm weather as a low-pressure system dominates.
THE MORNING LEAD
Unpublished pensions report shows roll back on Climate Action Plan measure
A report by
Lauren Boland
Ambition for tighter scrutiny regarding the investment of pension funds in fossil fuels was quietly rolled back only months after the target was set.
Noteworthy reveals contents of unpublished government report on a proposal for tighter scrutiny on pension fund investment in fossil fuels
Before a working group had met to examine this proposed measure, it was deemed 'not prudent'
Several matters recommended by the report have not come to fruition but the measure is marked as complete
# climate action
Extinction Rebellion ‘to temporarily shift away from public disruption’ tactics
Activists have gained notoriety for blockading train lines, airports and roads, causing chaos for commuters.
Last year
2022
THE MORNING LEAD
Demands on government to step up on climate crisis as new action plan takes hold
A report by
Lauren Boland
The Climate Action Plan 2023 contains a suite of measures aimed at cutting emissions – but its performance over the last year was mixed.
'Substantial concern' over gap in emissions reductions as new Climate Action Plan released
Debunked: Five common climate myths and why they're wrong
# Climate
Met Éireann says 2022 set to be Ireland's hottest year since records began
Provisional figures released by the forecaster today show that this year was the warmest since 1900.
# factcheck
FactCheck newsletter: Covid, climate change and Ukraine dominated disinformation narratives in 2022
The ‘unholy trinity’ were prevalent throughout Europe this year.
# Climate Change
2022 expected to be warmest year on record for the UK
Temperatures in the UK have been above average in every month except December.
Voices
Peter Power: Climate change risking famine in Somalia and beyond as global leaders dither
The head of UNICEF Ireland says children may face famine in Somalia while powerful governments stall on climate action.
# factcheck
FactCheck: The recent cold spell is not evidence against climate change
Ireland has seen significant rising temperatures overall
# CLIMATE CRISIS
'Substantial concern' over gap in emissions reductions as new Climate Action Plan released
The plan outlines measures for electricity, transport, agriculture and other sectors to try to meet legally-binding targets.
Voices
Malcolm Noonan: It's not enough to watch threatened species struggle to survive
The Green Party TD looks at the agreement at Cop 15 Biodiversity conference in Canada and says time is running out for nature.
# Climate Change
2023 forecast to be 10th year in a row that hits one degree above pre-industrial era
Annual forecast from the Met Office says next year could be around 1.2C above pre-industrial temperatures.
# Emissions
EU reaches deal on major carbon market reform
The deal aims to accelerate emissions cuts, phase out free allowances to industries and targets fuel emissions from the building and road transport sectors.
# PLANNING LAW REFORMS
Taoiseach says overhauling planning laws 'essential' to delivering climate and housing targets
TDs also raised concerns about the Planning and Development and Foreshore (Amendment) Bill today.
Voices
Opinion: In a cold snap our footpaths and cycle lanes should also be gritted by councils
Dr Emma Howard says councils should prioritise the gritting of walkways and cycle lanes as we face a climate crisis.
Voices
Opinion: Our fields may be green, but we are failing to protect biodiversity
Professor Jane Stout looks at the COP15 UN biodiversity conference underway in Canada and reminds us why it is so important.
# Biodiversity
Pesticide lobbyists pushing against environmental protections, research finds
A UN conference in Montreal is trying to finalise a new framework for living in harmony with nature.
# deforestation
EU to ban products which contribute to deforestation
Importing companies will have to show that their products are deforestation-free.
# CLIMATE CRISIS
'Sustainable' investment funds in Ireland hold over $3 billion in fossil fuels
An investigation across Europe found 388 ‘sustainable’ funds that invest in fossil fuel and aviation companies.
# Climate Change
Student climate strikers mark four years of weekly protests outside Dáil
Climate Minister Eamon Ryan described the weekly protests as “inspirational”.
# UN
UN launches record €49 billion emergency funding appeal amid Ukraine war and climate emergencies
An estimated 339 million people worldwide will need some form of emergency assistance next year.
# Australia
Australia to lobby against ‘endangered’ status for Great Barrier Reef
A UN report released yesterday warned that without ‘ambitious, rapid and sustained’ climate action, the world’s largest coral reef is in peril.
# climate action
Over half of Irish Gen Zers want car-free zones in cities and the banning of domestic flights
New research studied young people’s attitudes to climate, their personal actions, and their opinions on hypothetical policies.
# Nature
Citizens' Assembly on biodiversity to hear from Dr Jane Goodall at final meeting
The assembly will send recommendations to the government on how to solve the biodiversity emergency.
# Greenhouse Gases
Ireland responsible for more emissions globally than national figures show - study
The global carbon footprint of Irish consumption is higher than what is reflected in current calculations.
# falling behind
Number of delayed climate measures snowballs as new Climate Action Plan nears
The Department of Environment was the worst performer of any government department in the third quarter of the year.
# CLIMATE CRISIS
Newsletter: COP27 has ended. It scraped a pass
“The world remains on the brink of climate catastrophe.”
# Compromise
COP27 'held the line' but more climate action still crucial - minister
The extended climate conference finally came to an agreement last night after running late into the weekend.
# COP27
COP27 summit strikes historic deal to fund climate damages
The two-week talks delivered a major breakthrough on a fund for climate loss and damage’.
Voices
Ciarán Cuffe: Global climate action is not just for COP
As COP27 closes, the Irish MEP calls for more consistent climate action.
THE MORNING LEAD
Qatar 2022: The carbon-neutral World Cup that never was
A report by
Lauren Boland
Qatar and FIFA promised a carbon-neutral World Cup, but experts argue it is far from that.
Opinion: 'Football fans - it's time to make some noise on human rights ahead of this World Cup'
Joe Lycett urges David Beckham to abandon Qatar football deal due to country's LGBTQ laws
# Egypt
COP27: UN climate talks extended into weekend in bid to break deadlock
Wealthy and developing nations struggled to find common ground on a host of crucial issues.
# COP27
Open Newsroom - COP27: What did we learn in Egypt?
Get on-the-ground, real-time analysis from the COP27 summit as it reaches its conclusion.
# COP27
COP27: UN chief calls on countries to stop 'blame game' at deadlocked climate talks
Negotiators are scrambling to find a compromise over the contentious “loss and damage” issue.
# Amazon Rainforest
'Brazil is back': President-elect Lula vows to fight deforestation at COP27
Lula has offered to host UN climate talks in the Amazon region in 2025.