Climate Conference and more - April updates from the EPA
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Ireland
Protecting and improving the environment as a valuable asset for the people of Ireland.
Welcome to 'The month in 5 updates' - a quick roundup from the EPA on what you need to know about the Irish environment.
Register today for the EPA's Climate Conference
Registration is now open for the EPA’s Climate Conference on May 28th! This year’s event will spotlight the role of the carbon market in reducing emissions, both within the EU and globally. Join policy makers, regulators, and industry leaders as they share insights, explore challenges, and learn from international and local experiences.
📅Date: 28th of May
🕐Time: 9am-4pm
📍Location: Hibernia Conference Centre, Dublin Castle
👉Register here.
1,300+ inspections carried out at licensed industrial and waste facilities
The Industrial and Waste Licence Enforcement Summary for 2024 outlines enforcement activity at 905 licensed industrial and waste facilities across Ireland.
🔵In 2024, over 1,300 inspections were carried out. across 634 sites. 96% of them were unannounced.
🟡Ten facilities were designated as National Priority Sites due to poor compliance, mainly in the waste and food and drink sectors, with several facing legal action and fines of up to €500,000.
🟢While odour and noise remain the most frequently reported issues, overall public complaints have decreased by 46% since 2021, reflecting improved performance and the ongoing value of community engagement in environmental oversight.
Read the Industrial and Waste Licence Enforcement Summary here.
Where are the sites with the poorest environmental compliance?
The EPA’s National Priority Sites list is a quarterly-updated list that highlights industrial and waste sites with the poorest environmental compliance. It helps the EPA focus enforcement where it's needed most.
For Q1 2025, three sites have been added to the list, representing the chemical, food & drink, and anaerobic digestion sectors.
In 2024, 10 sites were listed, with legal action taken or pending against nine of them.
Where do greenhouse gases come from?
The latest from the EPA's Climate Explainer series takes a look at greenhouse gases in Ireland, what they are, where they come from, and how we can reduce them to meet our climate goals.
💨 What’s in our emissions? Carbon dioxide (56%), methane (33%), and nitrous oxide (9%) make up Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions.
⚡ Carbon dioxide Emissions have decreased since 1990 but remain too high. Major sources include energy, transport, industry, and households. Cutting fossil fuel use is essential.
🌾Methane & nitrous oxide Mostly from agriculture. With different gases need different solutions.
🌡️ Warming impact Carbon dioxide has added 1°C to global temperatures, methane 0.3°C, and nitrous oxide 0.1°C since pre-industrial times.
🎯 What’s needed? Strong, targeted measures across sectors to cut emissions and meet Ireland’s climate goals.
Come work with the EPA
The EPA is hiring a Programme Officer to lead an operational support team to manage and report on all financial aspects of EPA Research and deliver operational supports for funded research.
📅Deadline: 12 May
For more information and to apply, click here.
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I coach to turn life's challenges into stepping stones.EMCC Practitioner.
4moRelating to What's Needed: I am curious about the approach citizens could play? It may appear currently to be more top down in approach. How can we pivot to a more even approach where Global Citizens report even a doubt.. perhaps this is happening through local authorities? Non Point Source pollution is so hidden, especially in water courses. Green waste is not seen as pollution, but our road side streams are currently at risk of being infilled with garden waste. Composting is regenerative I am sorry to miss the 2025 EPA conference.. in liu of graduation day.