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A look back at 2013 Monday 16 December 2013
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Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 2013

May 13, 2015

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This is a presentation of sustainable development news from Laois including some activities run by LEAF, some supported by LEAF and some welcomed by LEAF.
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Page 1: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 2013

A look back at 2013

Monday 16 December 2013

Page 2: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 2013

January 2013

Monday 16 December 2013

Page 3: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 2013

Mountmellick Community College

attended the Youth Shadow Climate talks - Qatar in

Brussels

Monday 16 December 2013

Page 4: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 2013

The fight to ban Neonicontinoids began in earnest

Monday 16 December 2013

Page 5: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 2013

Scientific studies published in 2011

linked neonicotinoids, found in pesticides, to the collapse of the bee

population.

Monday 16 December 2013

Page 6: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 2013

A two year temporary ban was eventually

passed on April 29th and came into effect in

December 2013

Monday 16 December 2013

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February 2013

Monday 16 December 2013

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Protecting our Woodlands became a theme, while Tullamores “King Oak” was up for the

European Tree of the Year

Monday 16 December 2013

Page 9: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 2013

Mens Shed comes to Portlaoise

Monday 16 December 2013

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March 2013

Monday 16 December 2013

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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

Page 12: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 2013

The wind debate began ......

Monday 16 December 2013

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April 2013

Monday 16 December 2013

Page 14: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 2013

Abbeyleix Tidy

Towns

Communergy

Aos Sí Marketing

All short listed for the Green Awards

Monday 16 December 2013

Page 15: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 2013

LEAF event April

9th2013

Monday 16 December 2013

Page 16: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 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

Page 17: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 2013

‘natural environment’ recognised as a worthy cause for Lottery funds

Monday 16 December 2013

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May 2013

Monday 16 December 2013

Page 19: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 2013

Well done to Communergy atECOUNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards

1st in climate

category

Overall senior

winners

Monday 16 December 2013

Page 20: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 2013

Irish Forestry, Woodland & Bio Energy ShowFri 10 & Sat 11 May, Stradbally Hall Estate, Co Laois.

Monday 16 December 2013

Page 21: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 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

Page 22: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 2013

June 2013

Monday 16 December 2013

Page 23: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 2013

Abbeyleix Bog in the

Bio Blitz

Monday 16 December 2013

Page 24: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 2013

Coillte sell off threats began in March leading to a national

“Walk in the Woods” on June 9th

Monday 16 December 2013

Page 25: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 2013

There were two walks in Laois

Stradbally and Glenbarrow

Monday 16 December 2013

Page 26: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 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

Page 27: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 2013

“I refuse to condemn your generation and future

generations to a planet thatʼs beyond fixing”

Monday 16 December 2013

Page 28: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 2013

Laois County Council brought

anyone who signed up to

Cloughjordan :)

Monday 16 December 2013

Page 29: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 2013

We had a fabulous summer!

Monday 16 December 2013

Page 30: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 2013

................. at Shanahoe National School

A bug Hotel opened in Laois

Monday 16 December 2013

Page 31: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 2013

Monday 16 December 2013

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July 2013

Monday 16 December 2013

Page 33: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 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

Page 34: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 2013

The Open Government Partnership (OGP) .... aims to secure concrete

commitments from governments to promote transparency ........

Monday 16 December 2013

Page 35: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 2013

........ empower citizens, fight corruption, and harness

new technologies to strengthen governance.

Monday 16 December 2013

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LEAF hit 200 facebook fans in July 2013

Monday 16 December 2013

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August 2013

Monday 16 December 2013

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Monday 16 December 2013

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Monday 16 December 2013

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September 2013

Monday 16 December 2013

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Apple pressing in Ballyfin

Monday 16 December 2013

Page 42: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 2013

Global Warming '95% Certain', Say Scientists

What more

is there

to say???

Monday 16 December 2013

Page 43: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 2013

October 2013

Monday 16 December 2013

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Brussels

Monday 16 December 2013

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Monday 16 December 2013

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November 2013

Monday 16 December 2013

Page 47: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 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

Page 48: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 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

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Monday 16 December 2013

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Laois/Offaly

branch of IWT

formed

Monday 16 December 2013

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Text

Training on the Aarhus Convention in Dublin

Monday 16 December 2013

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Work with the environmental

pillar

Monday 16 December 2013

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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

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What we’ve been discussing with the Environmental Pillar

Monday 16 December 2013

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•Ash dieback

What we’ve been discussing with the Environmental Pillar

Monday 16 December 2013

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•Ash dieback•Ban on GM

What we’ve been discussing with the Environmental Pillar

Monday 16 December 2013

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•Ash dieback•Ban on GM •Climate Change targets

What we’ve been discussing with the Environmental Pillar

Monday 16 December 2013

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•Ash dieback•Ban on GM •Climate Change targets•Coillte

What we’ve been discussing with the Environmental Pillar

Monday 16 December 2013

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•Ash dieback•Ban on GM •Climate Change targets•Coillte•Air quality

What we’ve been discussing with the Environmental Pillar

Monday 16 December 2013

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•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

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•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

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•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

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•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

Page 64: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 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

Page 65: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 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

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•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

Page 67: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 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

Page 68: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 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

Page 69: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 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

Page 70: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 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

Page 71: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 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

Page 72: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 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

Page 73: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 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

Page 74: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 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

Page 75: Leaf, Laois Environmental Action Forum annual report 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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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What to do? 2014

Monday 16 December 2013

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energy???

Monday 16 December 2013

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Climate

Monday 16 December 2013

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•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