A look back at 2013 Monday 16 December 2013
May 13, 2015
A look back at 2013
Monday 16 December 2013
January 2013
Monday 16 December 2013
Mountmellick Community College
attended the Youth Shadow Climate talks - Qatar in
Brussels
Monday 16 December 2013
The fight to ban Neonicontinoids began in earnest
Monday 16 December 2013
Scientific studies published in 2011
linked neonicotinoids, found in pesticides, to the collapse of the bee
population.
Monday 16 December 2013
A two year temporary ban was eventually
passed on April 29th and came into effect in
December 2013
Monday 16 December 2013
February 2013
Monday 16 December 2013
Protecting our Woodlands became a theme, while Tullamores “King Oak” was up for the
European Tree of the Year
Monday 16 December 2013
Mens Shed comes to Portlaoise
Monday 16 December 2013
March 2013
Monday 16 December 2013
From Forrest to Furnace
Andy Dunne - Laois Farm Forestry Growers Group, Noel Gavigan - Irish Bio-Energy Association, Mr Thomas Cosby speaking about his choice to invest in wood energy for Cosby Hall Damien Nee from Green Energy
LEAF event
March 14th2013
Monday 16 December 2013
The wind debate began ......
Monday 16 December 2013
April 2013
Monday 16 December 2013
Abbeyleix Tidy
Towns
Communergy
Aos Sí Marketing
All short listed for the Green Awards
Monday 16 December 2013
LEAF event April
9th2013
Monday 16 December 2013
LAOIS HERITAGE PLAN 2013 – 2018 DRAFT
for Public Consultation April-May 2013
Drive to get Natural Environment on the National Lottery funding
criteria
Monday 16 December 2013
‘natural environment’ recognised as a worthy cause for Lottery funds
Monday 16 December 2013
May 2013
Monday 16 December 2013
Well done to Communergy atECOUNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards
1st in climate
category
Overall senior
winners
Monday 16 December 2013
Irish Forestry, Woodland & Bio Energy ShowFri 10 & Sat 11 May, Stradbally Hall Estate, Co Laois.
Monday 16 December 2013
Training for individuals and communities across Co. Laois
to develop their own Local Biodiversity Action Plan
Launched May 29th 2013
Monday 16 December 2013
June 2013
Monday 16 December 2013
Abbeyleix Bog in the
Bio Blitz
Monday 16 December 2013
Coillte sell off threats began in March leading to a national
“Walk in the Woods” on June 9th
Monday 16 December 2013
There were two walks in Laois
Stradbally and Glenbarrow
Monday 16 December 2013
June 25th 2013 Barack Obama delivered a speech about climate change
addressing the young people he stated:
”It was important for me to speak directly to your generation,
because the decisions that we make now and in the years
ahead will have a profound impact on
the world that all of you inherit.”
Monday 16 December 2013
“I refuse to condemn your generation and future
generations to a planet thatʼs beyond fixing”
Monday 16 December 2013
Laois County Council brought
anyone who signed up to
Cloughjordan :)
Monday 16 December 2013
We had a fabulous summer!
Monday 16 December 2013
................. at Shanahoe National School
A bug Hotel opened in Laois
Monday 16 December 2013
Monday 16 December 2013
July 2013
Monday 16 December 2013
Stop Climate Chaos
“In order for a Climate Bill to have any
credibility it must contain targets
for 2050, as well having an
independent committee provide
the oversight”
Monday 16 December 2013
The Open Government Partnership (OGP) .... aims to secure concrete
commitments from governments to promote transparency ........
Monday 16 December 2013
........ empower citizens, fight corruption, and harness
new technologies to strengthen governance.
Monday 16 December 2013
LEAF hit 200 facebook fans in July 2013
Monday 16 December 2013
August 2013
Monday 16 December 2013
Monday 16 December 2013
Monday 16 December 2013
September 2013
Monday 16 December 2013
Apple pressing in Ballyfin
Monday 16 December 2013
Global Warming '95% Certain', Say Scientists
What more
is there
to say???
Monday 16 December 2013
October 2013
Monday 16 December 2013
Brussels
Monday 16 December 2013
Monday 16 December 2013
November 2013
Monday 16 December 2013
Creating a People’s Charter on Renewable Energy
Saturday, November 9th - 11.00 to 5.00
Killeshin Hotel, Dublin Road, Portlaoise
Programme
10.30 Registration & refreshments
11.00 Welcome and Introductions. Niall Crowley, Theresa Carter
11.10 How shall we make progress? Chris Chapman
Defining what we want to achieve and steps to do so
11.40 Production of Renewable Energy
What needs to happen? What are our priorities?
Round table discussions will be focused with experts in particular forms of renewable energy production.
12.50 Lunch - survey on consultation for energy export policy
13.30 Distribution of Renewable Energy (including equality issues)
What needs to happen? What are our priorities?
Round table discussions will be focused with experts in particular forms of energy distribution, ownership, poverty, co-ops etc.
14.40 Tea & Coffee break
Monday 16 December 2013
15.00 Keynote by Duncan Stewart
15.15 Energy Conservation
What needs to happen? What are our priorities?
Round table discussions will be focused on energy conservation. The key to any energy strategy must be reducing waste. How?
16.25 Next steps – what needs to happen to create a better future from here ?
Based on feedback throughout the day and Powerdown workshops held throughout Laois we expect geographically connected groups for short discussions, information sharing and planning.
17.00 Close
Experts
Our experts are people who know lots about given technologies and systems from wind power to co-ops. Duncan Stewart, Conor McEvoy, Noel Gavigan, Michael Malone, Triona Casey, Brian Hurley, Ossian Smyth, Aedin McLoughlin, Emer O’Siochru, Robert Staiger, Dominic Dunne, Ian Lumley, Tony Lyons, Erik Vanoosten, Tom Woolley, Rick McGrath, Graham Barnes.
Thank you very much to all of them for their time, energy, positivity and enthusiasm.
Over arching considerations
Throughout this process we must keep in mind our four base assumptions -
1. Communities must be involved in planning
2. Renewable energy needs to be developed to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels
3. Fuel poverty needs to be addressed, guided by the principles of equality
4. Climate change must be addressed
Hopefully this is the start of a nationwide process where the end result will be a people’s charter to deliver to our government - showing what the people want and giving a roadmap for how progress can be made - collaboratively.
Monday 16 December 2013
Monday 16 December 2013
Laois/Offaly
branch of IWT
formed
Monday 16 December 2013
Text
Training on the Aarhus Convention in Dublin
Monday 16 December 2013
Work with the environmental
pillar
Monday 16 December 2013
Three environmental representatives on Laois boards:
Brian Maher - Environment and planning SPCChris Uys - Laois Partnership Company
Derek Banim - County Development Board
Thanks to out going representatives:
Caroline GoucherRoisin Hogge
Monday 16 December 2013
What we’ve been discussing with the Environmental Pillar
Monday 16 December 2013
•Ash dieback
What we’ve been discussing with the Environmental Pillar
Monday 16 December 2013
•Ash dieback•Ban on GM
What we’ve been discussing with the Environmental Pillar
Monday 16 December 2013
•Ash dieback•Ban on GM •Climate Change targets
What we’ve been discussing with the Environmental Pillar
Monday 16 December 2013
•Ash dieback•Ban on GM •Climate Change targets•Coillte
What we’ve been discussing with the Environmental Pillar
Monday 16 December 2013
•Ash dieback•Ban on GM •Climate Change targets•Coillte•Air quality
What we’ve been discussing with the Environmental Pillar
Monday 16 December 2013
•Ash dieback•Ban on GM •Climate Change targets•Coillte•Air quality •Climate & Clean Air coalition
What we’ve been discussing with the Environmental Pillar
Monday 16 December 2013
•Ash dieback•Ban on GM •Climate Change targets•Coillte•Air quality •Climate & Clean Air coalition•Badgers
What we’ve been discussing with the Environmental Pillar
Monday 16 December 2013
•Ash dieback•Ban on GM •Climate Change targets•Coillte•Air quality •Climate & Clean Air coalition•Badgers•Bioenergy
What we’ve been discussing with the Environmental Pillar
Monday 16 December 2013
•Ash dieback•Ban on GM •Climate Change targets•Coillte•Air quality •Climate & Clean Air coalition•Badgers•Bioenergy •Fracking
What we’ve been discussing with the Environmental Pillar
Monday 16 December 2013
•Ash dieback•Ban on GM •Climate Change targets•Coillte•Air quality •Climate & Clean Air coalition•Badgers•Bioenergy •Fracking•Aquaculture
What we’ve been discussing with the Environmental Pillar
Monday 16 December 2013
•Ash dieback•Ban on GM •Climate Change targets•Coillte•Air quality •Climate & Clean Air coalition•Badgers•Bioenergy •Fracking•Aquaculture•Climate Bill
What we’ve been discussing with the Environmental Pillar
Monday 16 December 2013
•Ash dieback•Ban on GM •Climate Change targets•Coillte•Air quality •Climate & Clean Air coalition•Badgers•Bioenergy •Fracking•Aquaculture•Climate Bill
•Green economy & sustainable employment
What we’ve been discussing with the Environmental Pillar
Monday 16 December 2013
•Ash dieback•Ban on GM •Climate Change targets•Coillte•Air quality •Climate & Clean Air coalition•Badgers•Bioenergy •Fracking•Aquaculture•Climate Bill
•Green economy & sustainable employment•Hen harriers
What we’ve been discussing with the Environmental Pillar
Monday 16 December 2013
•Ash dieback•Ban on GM •Climate Change targets•Coillte•Air quality •Climate & Clean Air coalition•Badgers•Bioenergy •Fracking•Aquaculture•Climate Bill
•Green economy & sustainable employment•Hen harriers•Pollution & waste
What we’ve been discussing with the Environmental Pillar
Monday 16 December 2013
•Ash dieback•Ban on GM •Climate Change targets•Coillte•Air quality •Climate & Clean Air coalition•Badgers•Bioenergy •Fracking•Aquaculture•Climate Bill
•Green economy & sustainable employment•Hen harriers•Pollution & waste•Local Government reform
What we’ve been discussing with the Environmental Pillar
Monday 16 December 2013
•Ash dieback•Ban on GM •Climate Change targets•Coillte•Air quality •Climate & Clean Air coalition•Badgers•Bioenergy •Fracking•Aquaculture•Climate Bill
•Green economy & sustainable employment•Hen harriers•Pollution & waste•Local Government reform•Food harvest 2020
What we’ve been discussing with the Environmental Pillar
Monday 16 December 2013
•Ash dieback•Ban on GM •Climate Change targets•Coillte•Air quality •Climate & Clean Air coalition•Badgers•Bioenergy •Fracking•Aquaculture•Climate Bill
•Green economy & sustainable employment•Hen harriers•Pollution & waste•Local Government reform•Food harvest 2020•The Aarhus Convention
What we’ve been discussing with the Environmental Pillar
Monday 16 December 2013
•Ash dieback•Ban on GM •Climate Change targets•Coillte•Air quality •Climate & Clean Air coalition•Badgers•Bioenergy •Fracking•Aquaculture•Climate Bill
•Green economy & sustainable employment•Hen harriers•Pollution & waste•Local Government reform•Food harvest 2020•The Aarhus Convention•Reject abolition of the Seanad
What we’ve been discussing with the Environmental Pillar
Monday 16 December 2013
•Ash dieback•Ban on GM •Climate Change targets•Coillte•Air quality •Climate & Clean Air coalition•Badgers•Bioenergy •Fracking•Aquaculture•Climate Bill
•Green economy & sustainable employment•Hen harriers•Pollution & waste•Local Government reform•Food harvest 2020•The Aarhus Convention•Reject abolition of the Seanad•Environmental protection in the constitution
What we’ve been discussing with the Environmental Pillar
Monday 16 December 2013
•Ash dieback•Ban on GM •Climate Change targets•Coillte•Air quality •Climate & Clean Air coalition•Badgers•Bioenergy •Fracking•Aquaculture•Climate Bill
•Green economy & sustainable employment•Hen harriers•Pollution & waste•Local Government reform•Food harvest 2020•The Aarhus Convention•Reject abolition of the Seanad•Environmental protection in the constitution•Habitats directive
What we’ve been discussing with the Environmental Pillar
Monday 16 December 2013
Brussels October 2013RENEWABLE ENERGY POLICY UPDATEMr Robert LORENTZPolicy OfficerUnit " Renewables and CCS policy"Directorate-General for Energy (ENER)
• Impact of wind energy on peatlands and potential of wind projects to include peatland restoration.
• Biofuels• 2030 targets• Over-arching approach• Feed in tarrifs role of EU • Openess of compensation for engagement with renewable energy Projects• Definition of renewable energy – incineration?• Cross compliance with other Directives
o Wood as fuel as an example vs forestry for biodiversityo Health and heritage issueso Fracking
• Biomass is not carbon neutral?• Anaerobic Digestion targets
Monday 16 December 2013
Mr Joe HENNONSpokesperson for Environment, Commissioner POTOČNIK's portfolio
• 7th Environmental Action Programme• Enforcement especially peat and fish farms• Biodiversity targets 2020 where are we?
o Ireland’s progress and incentives to move it forwardo Devolution and funding of work at the local level
• Rules re transporting non-native species• Ecocide status of the movement in Europe• Recognition of rights of other species, ecosystems and the biosphere in its own
right• Update on bees (the new Canary) – half-way measure. Stockpiles of seed
o Other chemicalso Control of movement of bee specieso Genetic protection
• GM What is the current status of EU on this.o Insects o Forestry
• Directive on Fracking
Brussels October 2013
Monday 16 December 2013
FISHING OPPORTUNITIES AND CFP REFORMS
Mr Frederik SCHUTYSERInspector – FisheriesUnit "Fisheries conservation and control – Atlantic and outermost regions"Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MARE)
• Fully documented fisheries are essentialo 1.2% fish trips observed
• Monitoring, enforcement and management – acceptable levels?o Bottom up monitoringo Cross-cutting eg Biodiversityo Legal status of guidelines?
• BIM controls funding for FLAGs who rubber stamp BIM decisions• Only 6 FLAGs therefoe not local. Members selected by BIM• No oversight on funding• EMFF decisions made before monitoring committee gets to see proposals
o Weighted in favour of big producers at all levelso No NGO representation on key boards
• Social and employment improvements cannot happen without full representation of all sectors• No socio-economic data from Ireland to Commission• PUBLIC PARTICIPATION!!! (Coastal Zone Management)• Marine Strategy Framework Directive • Marine Proptected Areas Update• Clarify Commissions role in the 6 mile limit since the CFP• Cumulative effects of seismic testing
Brussels October 2013
Monday 16 December 2013
RURAL DEVELOPMENT 2014-2020: TOOLS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT?
Mr Krzysztof SULIMA Policy Officer - Horizontal CoordinatorUnit " Consistency of rural development"Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI)
• Realignment – is commission concerned re local govt reform• Participation• No new Agri Environment Scheme in 2014 3600 in limbo from AEOS3
Yet Ireland will draw down same funding. 9k/farmer• Bad management and monitoring REPS and AEOS Schemes• Food Harvest 2020 impacts – • Aquaculture • Scale of reductions and focus of the funding available• Public money for public goods enforcement and public monitoring• What funding for forestry through RDP• Ex-ante evaluation of RDP draft programme
Brussels October 2013
Monday 16 December 2013
IMPLEMENTATION OF EU LAW
Mr Paul SPEIGHT, Head of UnitMrs Silvija AILE, Case Handler – InfringementsMr Udo VALENTIN, Policy Officer – Structural FundsUnit "Enforcement, Cohesion Policy & European Semester"Directorate-General for Environment (ENV)
• Complaints procedure• Link between EU Semester and Environmental Law• Enforcement and Freshwater Pearl Mussel • Status of Candidate SACs• Waste Directive –
o diversion from landfill into recycling of hazardous waste – health and safety and environmental impacts
o waste permits and licences and lack of enforcement of contractso Support from the Commission
• Natura 2000 and nature law enforcemento Duneso Marine sites a
Aquaculture Harvesting from wild
o Peatlands• Water Framework Directive
o Irish Watero Septic Tanks Case
• Review of EIA Directive• Aarhus Convention• Illegal Seal Kills
Brussels October 2013
Monday 16 December 2013
Brussels October 2013Introduction to the European Parliament – roles and powersFrancis JACOBS, Head of European Parliament Office in Ireland
EP involvement in EU environmental policy; inter institutional relationsSarah BLAU, EP Codecision and Conciliation Unit
Overview of EP Environment Committee Agenda, Climate Change and implementation of EU environmental lawChris DAVIES MEP (ALDE/UK Lib Dem party)
Dan JORGENSEN MEP (S&D/Danish Social Democratiet party) TBC
Waste policy, recycling, chemicals policyAxel SINGHOFEN, Advisor to Green Group TBC
Meeting with Irish MEPs (Timing TBC)Available MEPs being confirmed by EP office
Meeting with Mr Tom Hanney, Deputy Permanent Representation, Mr Pat Fenton and Ms Bríd Doherty
Monday 16 December 2013
What to do? 2014
Monday 16 December 2013
energy???
Monday 16 December 2013
Climate
Monday 16 December 2013
•March against Monsanto May 24th 2014
•The Peopleʼs Charter on Renewable Energy
•Landscape planning
•Climate Change
•LA21 funding for awards
•Status of LEAF
•Submissions or not
•Planning day in January 2014
Monday 16 December 2013