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Saturday 3 June 2023 Dublin: 14°C

# Climate

This week
28th May 2023 - 3rd June 2023
# Biodiversity
Rewilding row: Green minister warns of ‘horrible conservative scaremongering’ on EU nature law
Ossian Smyth said he was ‘not happy’ that Fine Gael’s EU party, the EPP had walked out of talks on the issue.
# CSO
Agriculture accounted for almost 40% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2020
That’s according to new figures released in the Central Statistics Office.
# Rewetting
Fine Gael's EU party pulls out of talks on high-profile nature law
The proposed law, which would set targets for restoring nature, has been the subject of controversy in Europe and in Ireland.
# Flying
'I don't think Cork-Dublin flights will return' - Ryanair boss
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has said he does not believe short-haul flights in Ireland are unacceptable from a climate perspective.
# Wildfires
EU doubles firefighting aircraft fleet ahead of hot and dry summer
The aircraft are stationed in 10 member states while over 400 firefighters will be pre-positioned in Greece, France and Portugal.
Last week
21st May 2023 - 3rd June 2023
# Switzerland
Geneva airport briefly closed as climate activists stage protest against private jet fair
Seven flights were diverted and others were delayed.
# just stop oil
Climate change protesters delay Shell AGM for over an hour trying to storm stage
The annual meeting was delayed more than an hour as protesters shouted, sang and chanted.
# Nature
Degraded land in Dublin mountains to be restored under new biodiversity project
The project is seeking to restore land and improve biodiversity across 2,000 hectares around the Glenasmole Valley.
# Rome
Climate activists turn Rome's Trevi Fountain black
Activists from the anti-climate change organisation Last Generation climbed into the landmark fountain and poured a vegetable-based carbon liquid into it.
Last month
May 2023
THE MORNING LEAD
Green MEPs 'very' concerned by opposition to plan for restoring nature and rewetting Irish bogs
A report by
Lauren Boland
Two Green MEPs from Ireland and Germany gave an in-depth interview to The Journal on the proposed Nature Restoration Law.
# grounded
People Before Profit propose ban on private jets in Irish airspace
The proposed legislation is aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions from aviation.
# Gridlock
'If everyone drives, no one gets anywhere quickly', says Minister for Transport
Minister Eamon Ryan has said that switching to electric vehicles will help reach climate targets but will not be enough to solve congestion problems.
# heating up
Hottest year of modern records highly likely to come in next five years - report
Average temperature increase may temporarily break the important 1.5 degree threshold by 2027.
# Climate
Disposable cups to be axed from public sector canteens under new climate action mandate
The installation of heating systems that use fossil fuels in new buildings will also cease after this year under the mandate.
# Plan Ahead
Underfunded planning system puts climate action at risk, Government warned
The Climate Change Advisory Council has written to the coalition leaders to highlight specific issues with the planning system.
# Temperature Check
Get The Journal's monthly climate newsletter delivered to your inbox
It’s the biggest story of our time.
THE MORNING LEAD
Automatic pension scheme should not invest in fossil fuels, Government told
A report by
Lauren Boland
A new auto-enrolment pension scheme for workers has undergone scrutiny as the government prepares to put forward legislation.
A newly published report advises that investment funds in the scheme should not be allowed to invest in fossil fuels.
It also recommends that a minimum percentage of the funds should be invested in renewable energy development.
April
April 2023
# looking ahead
Ireland has finally released its 30-year climate plan - here's what it says
The long-term climate strategy has been published today three years after an EU deadline.
# Fossil Fuels
Oil giant BP faces shareholder backlash over U-turn on climate promises
Several big pension investment funds are pushing back on BP’s decision to scale down its climate goals.
# Clean Air Act
Ireland's first clean air strategy to target pollution for sake of health and environment
The government has published a plan to significantly improve Ireland’s air quality.
# Fire lit
Government to send long-term climate strategy to EU this week - three years late
EU countries were told in 2018 to submit a 30-year strategy on climate action by 1 January 2020.
THE MORNING LEAD
North Sea Summit: Ireland and UK need to cooperate on offshore wind energy, says Eamon Ryan
A report by
Lauren Boland
Nine countries have agreed to ramp up capacity for harnessing offshore wind to generate power.
# Germany
Climate activists glue themselves to roads bringing traffic to a halt in Berlin
This morning there were more than 30 road blocks across the city, according to reports.
Voices
Analysis: Can Ireland tackle climate change without a credible medium or long-term plan?
Assistant Professor in climate law, Dr Orla Kelleher looks at Ireland’s record on climate and finds we’re coming up short.
# Nature
Children's assembly on biodiversity calls on Ireland to 'treat the Earth like family'
Young people aged seven to 17 have created nearly 60 recommendations on protecting and restoring Ireland’s biodiversity.
# Global Warming
Climate change: The last eight years were the hottest in modern records
The World Meteorological Organisation has released its State of the Global Climate report for 2022 – and the forecast is stark.
Voices
John Gibbons: Biden may not be perfect on climate but he's our best hope
The environmental journalist and campaigner takes stock after Joe Biden’s visit and looks at the US president’s record on climate.
# fit for 55
EU approves €86 billion plan to help people impacted by climate transition
The EU Parliament passed a series of votes on climate legislation today that have been long in the works.
# district heating
Should we use data centres to heat our homes - or is it greenwashing?
The waste heat from data centres can be used for climate-friendly heating systems – but data centres are major energy consumers.
# wind energy ireland
Govt must invest in ports in order to build offshore wind energy projects, report finds
Belfast is currently the only port on the island of Ireland that is capable of constructing offshore wind farms.
# Your Say
Poll: Should private jet flights be banned by law in Ireland?
We all love our private jets, but do we have a responsibility to the climate?
March
March 2023
# Climate
UN adopts ‘historic’ resolution on legal obligations to fight climate change
The resolution now goes to the International Court of Justice to clarify climate obligations and then begin proceedings.
# Three Year Delay
Environment charity brings judicial review over stalled long-term climate strategy
The EU opened infringement proceedings against Ireland last year over its failure to produce a 30-year strategy for climate action.
# wir leben autos
EU moves closer to banning new fossil-fuel cars after striking deal with Germany
Germany, one of the biggest car manufacturers in the world, had previously vetoed the ban.
# climate inaction
World’s climate plans won’t keep temperature rise below 1.5 degrees - major UN report
Humanity can still prevent the worst-case climate scenarios – but we need to act now, the IPCC has confirmed.
'Climate needs to be at the heart of all decision-making' - Irish expert
Debunked: Five common climate myths and why they're wrong
# No Excuses
'Climate needs to be at the heart of all decision-making' - Irish expert
A new climate report has shown that countries’ current plans aren’t enough to reach international targets.
# whitewash
Owner of Zara and Bershka reports €4.1 billion net profit despite fast fashion scrutiny
Retail giants are under growing pressure for their role in the climate crisis and workers’ rights abuses.
# energy poverty
Energy credits should not have included richest households, climate NGO says
A new report by Friends of the Earth has made 49 recommendations to government about how to tackle energy poverty.
# climate action
MEPs vote for Europe to decarbonise buildings and help nature to trap carbon
EU politicians backed new policies for buildings to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions.
# CLIMATE CRISIS
Diplomats and scientists meet to approve major report on state of the climate
The synthesis report will condense down nearly a decade of science.