EPA Climate Change Lecture Series - New climate leadership for a low carbon, climate resilient and inclusive world - Apr 28 2021, 11:00 AM
Dr Edward Cameron is presenting an EPA Climate Change Lecture at the Mansion House on Friday evening (18 May 2019) as part of the National Dialogue on Climate Action. In this public lecture, Dr Cameron will discuss the importance of climate leadership as we transition to a low carbon, climate resilient and inclusive world.

EPA publishes 2018 Annual Report and Accounts - Dec 12 2019, 4:18 PM
The EPA today published its Annual Report and Accounts for 2018 which highlights delivery of its role as a regulator, knowledge provider and advocate for the environment.

River water quality is deteriorating, finds EPA - Dec 9 2019, 4:16 PM
Assessment shows only 53% of our surface water bodies have satisfactory water quality

European Environment Agency’s state of environment report outlines the scale and urgency of environmental challenges facing Europe - Dec 4 2019, 4:15 PM
The European Environment Agency (EEA) today launched its State of the Environment Report 2020, “European Environment — state and outlook report” (SOER 2020). The EPA welcomes this report, which provides an overview of the state of Europe’s environment.

€700m secured by EPA to provide for environmental liabilities - Dec 2 2019, 4:13 PM
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released the guidance document EPA Approach to Environmental Liabilities and Financial Provision.

Reducing Food Waste is the Climate Action you can do three times a day - Nov 25 2019, 4:01 PM
Reducing food waste is one of the most effective actions you can take to address climate change – it’s simple, it’s free and makes a real difference

Environmental Law Enforcement: Emerging Challenges 2019 - Nov 22 2019, 4:00 PM
The Director General of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Laura Burke; and the Chief Justice of Ireland, the Hon Mr Justice Frank Clarke, will provide the opening addresses at an environmental law conference on Monday, 25th November in Dublin.

EPA publishes Junior Cert resource pack on reducing food waste to tackle climate change - Nov 21 2019, 3:59 PM
The EPA has produced an educational resource pack to support over 20,000 Junior Certificate students to learn about sustainable living through the Home Economics curriculum.

Facing up to Climate Change: Where next for Climate Science? - Nov 19 2019, 3:58 PM
Dame Professor Julia Slingo will present the next EPA Climate Change Lecture as part of the National Dialogue on Climate Action.

Repeated delays in the elimination of raw sewage are unacceptable and pose a risk to our environment and public health. - Nov 13 2019, 3:56 PM
The EPA report on Urban Waste Water Treatment in 2018, released today, shows there have been some improvements in waste water treatment in the past year, including the elimination of discharges of raw sewage from two areas.

EPA statement following audit at Leixlip water treatment plant, 8th November. - Nov 8 2019, 3:49 PM
Irish Water, in consultation with the HSE, issued a precautionary boil water notice to over 600,000 people supplied by Leixlip Water Treatment Plant on the 4th November. Since then Irish Water and Fingal County Council have been working to resolve the operational issues that gave rise to the Boil Water Notice.

EPA warns that failure to carry out remediation work after testing high for radon gas is a serious health risk - Nov 7 2019, 3:48 PM
On European Radon Day today, Thursday 7th November, the EPA is calling on all householders - to take action to protect themselves and their families. In these homes, remedial action should be carried out as a matter of urgency to reduce exposure to radon.

EPA statement on boil water notice relating to Leixlip water treatment plant issued - Nov 4 2019, 3:46 PM
Irish Water, in consultation with HSE, has issued a precautionary boil water notice on the Leixlip water treatment plant.

Environmental Protection Agency audit report on Incident at Leixlip Water Treatment Plant - Oct 30 2019, 3:42 PM
The EPA’s report of the audit undertaken at Leixlip Water Treatment Plant on Thursday 24th October 2019 is now available on the EPA website.

Ireland exceeds its emissions budget by 5 million tonnes and moves further from climate commitments - Oct 23 2019, 3:41 PM
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as the competent authority for reporting Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions, has today published its provisional greenhouse gas emissions for Ireland for 2018. The figures show Ireland exceeded its emissions budget for the third year running, but had a marginal decrease of 0.2 % (0.14 Mt CO2eq) with total national emissions estimated at 60.5 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO2 eq).

EPA’s latest National Priority Sites for Enforcement List sees number of National Priority Sites increase to Seven - Oct 17 2019, 3:38 PM
The EPA has published the latest National Priority Sites List for Enforcement for March-September 2019. Seven sites (below) are on the latest list for failing to meet the necessary environmental standards. These companies face further enforcement action.

Challenges to the environment and public health require aggressive, coherent and urgent action for a better future - Oct 2 2019, 3:35 PM
Ireland is living beyond its carbon and environmental means If we begin to start the necessary change now, we can also start to imagine a better future EPA‘s body of scientific evidence serves as a national asset for the public good.

World Lung Day – Irish air quality is not meeting the World Health Organization’s guideline values for health - Sep 25 2019, 3:33 PM
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today launched its annual Air Quality report, on World Lung Day. The report shows that while air quality complied with the legal limits, the World Health Organization’s health-related guideline values were not met.

EPA issues a Proposed Determination on a revised licence to Irish Cement Limited - Sep 19 2019, 3:21 PM
The EPA has today issued a Proposed Determination on a revised licence to Irish Cement Limited, Castlemungret, Limerick, Co. Limerick for the continued operation of a cement manufacturing plant and an associated inert landfill at Castlemungret, Co. Limerick (Reg. No. P0029-06).

Inadequate treatment & infrastructure at drinking water plants put public health at risk from Cryptosporidium - Sep 9 2019, 3:16 PM
The EPA Drinking Water Quality in Public Supplies Report 2018, released today, shows that the quality of drinking water in public supplies remains high with 99.9% compliance with microbiological parameters and 99.6% compliance with chemical parameters. However, the report highlights that the incidence of Cryptosporidium detections has increased in the past three years, posing a serious risk to human health.

EPA publishes industrial pollutant emissions data - Aug 22 2019, 3:07 PM
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published environmental data today on Ireland’s national pollutant and transfer register. This is a public register of pollutant releases and waste transfers from large industrial activities in Ireland. The information supports EU-wide reporting through the European Commission’s e-Register website which contains data reported annually by more than 34,000 industrial facilities across 33 European Countries.

Overall good levels of compliance at licensed industrial and waste sites. EPA continues to focus on a small number of problematic sites - Jul 18 2019, 3:05 PM
The EPA has today published its Industrial and Waste Licence Enforcement Report 2018. The report gives details of compliance levels and enforcement activities across the 800+ licensed facilities in 2018. The EPA has also published the latest National Priority Sites List for Enforcement today.

New figures show that further measures will be needed to ensure that packaging recycling levels don’t stagnate - Jul 16 2019, 3:04 PM
The EPA has today published information about waste packaging management in 2017. The figures indicate that the generation of waste packaging - including glass, paper, plastics and wood – remained high in 2017. In addition, while recycling rates were high for some waste streams, including glass and wood, recycling levels have levelled off over the last number of years.

EPA Statement: ESB Lough Ree Power - Jul 11 2019, 3:03 PM
There is a prosecution on-going against ESB Lough Ree Power following a non-compliance with Condition 5.5 of their IE licence for the period May to August 2018.

High levels of Food Waste identified in Irish food businesses - Jul 10 2019, 12:13 PM
Action to reduce food waste brings climate benefits and cuts costs – including potential savings of over €300M per year for Ireland’s hospitality sector.

Nitrogen Dioxide levels in Dublin, due to traffic, pose a public health risk - Jul 8 2019, 12:11 PM
Studies showing that many areas in Dublin have high levels of the air pollutant Nitrogen Dioxide. Levels are highest at urban traffic locations with some locations at risk of exceeding the statutory EU limit for Nitrogen Dioxide. If further studies confirm that the levels of Nitrogen Dioxide have been exceeded, local authorities in Dublin and its suburbs will be required to prepare air quality action plans for the Dublin area.

Malfunctioning septic tanks systems are posing risks to people's health and the environment - Jul 2 2019, 12:08 PM
Nearly half of septic tank systems failed inspection in 2017 and 2018, posing a risk to human health and the environment. Householders need to fix malfunctioning septic tank systems. The Government’s proposed expanded septic tank grant scheme is welcome as part of addressing the issue.

Malfunctioning septic tanks systems are posing risks to people's health and the environment - Jul 2 2019, 11:00 AM
The Environmental Protection Agency today released a review of over 2,000 inspections of septic tanks and other domestic waste water treatment systems in 2017 and 2018.

There’s more to food waste than wasted food - National Stop Food Waste Week, 12- 19 June - Jun 12 2019, 12:07 PM
The EPA is leading a National Stop Food Waste Week campaign to highlight issues and raise awareness on food waste, from 12-19 June. Globally, one third of the food produced in the world for human consumption is lost or wasted and every year people in Ireland waste over one million tonnes of food. The campaign aims to motivate people across Ireland to make real changes in how they use the food they buy.

EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Projections show that Ireland has more to do to meet its 2030 targets - Jun 6 2019, 12:04 PM
Ireland faces significant challenges in meeting EU 2030 reduction targets for Greenhouse Gases. Progress in achieving targets is dependent on the level of implementation of current and future plans. Agriculture emissions are projected to increase with an expansion of animal numbers. Continued growth in emissions from the transport sector is projected in the short term, largely due to fuel consumption from diesel cars and diesel freight. Fossil fuels such as coal, peat and gas continue to be key contributors to emissions from the power generation sector

EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Projections show that Ireland has more to do to meet its 2030 targets - Jun 6 2019, 11:00 AM
The Environmental Protection Agency, as the competent authority for reporting Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions projections, has today published its updated Greenhouse Gas Projections for the period 2018-2040. The figures continue to highlight a significant gap to meeting Ireland’s EU Effort Sharing targets, regarding 2020 and 2030 commitment periods.

EPA welcomes improvements in bathing waters though more action is required at a small number of beaches - May 30 2019, 12:30 PM
The 2018 EPA Bathing Water report, published today, sets out bathing water quality during the long hot summer of 2018. Overall, 94 per cent of the 145 identified bathing waters met the minimum EU standards last year, with over 100 beaches classified as Excellent. Three new bathing waters, Dooey and Magheraroarty in Donegal and Seafield Quilty in Clare, were classified for the first time in 2018. All three were classified as Excellent.

Tackling Climate Change and other major environmental challenges – EPA Research Call to provide €10.2 million for new research - May 8 2019, 4:53 PM
The EPA is seeking proposals from the research community to help identify solutions to climate change and other emerging and complex environmental problems. With up to €10.2 million available for new research projects, to be awarded in 2019 and 2020, the Research Call is divided into three strands: Climate & Air, Environmental Sustainability, and Water.

Radon in workplaces – new legislation requires employers in high radon areas to test for this cancer-causing gas - May 8 2019, 11:00 AM
New radiation protection legislation requires all employers in high radon areas to test their workplace for the radioactive gas radon. Where levels are above the national reference level of 300 Becquerel per metre cubed, employers are then required to carry out work to reduce these levels.

Emissions of Ammonia continue to rise: Ireland's air pollutant emissions on the wrong pathway for cleaner air - May 7 2019, 12:00 PM
The EPA today published figures for emissions of five key air pollutants. These pollutants impact environment and health contributing to respiratory problems and pollution of soil, surface water and vegetation.

Emissions of Ammonia continue to rise: Ireland's air pollutant emissions on the wrong pathway for cleaner air - May 7 2019, 12:00 AM
The EPA today published figures for emissions of five key air pollutants. These pollutants impact environment and health contributing to respiratory problems and pollution of soil, surface water and vegetation.

Minister Bruton launches fund for Circular Economy Innovators - €600,000 available under the EPA’s National Waste Prevention Programme - Apr 30 2019, 11:00 AM
The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Richard Bruton T.D. today launched a €600,000 funding opportunity for novel approaches to promote the circular economy, maximise resource efficiency and reduce waste.

EPA publishes latest National Priority Sites for Enforcement List - Apr 18 2019, 11:00 AM
The EPA has published the latest National Priority Sites List for Enforcement today, for October 2018 to March 2019. The EPA will update the National Priority Sites list on a quarterly basis.

Video exploring the life cycle of toothbrushes wins EPA ‘The Story of Your Stuff 2019’ competition - Apr 9 2019, 2:00 PM
A project that creatively explores the life cycle of toothbrushes has won the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s ‘The Story of Your Stuff 2019’ competition. The video entry by Shurooq Azam, Aldiana Hoxha, Kar Cong Leong and Tomi Ayibiowu, students of Hansfield Educate Together Secondary School, Dublin 15, examines the history and manufacturing process of toothbrushes, explores the environmental impact of improper disposal and highlights eco-friendly alternatives.

Ireland’s EU Emissions Trading Scheme greenhouse gas emissions drop by 8.2 percent in 2018 - Apr 5 2019, 11:00 AM
The Environmental Protection Agency, as competent Authority in Ireland for the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, has today published details of greenhouse gas emissions in 2018 for companies in the Scheme. Emissions from Irish power generation and industrial companies in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme fell by 8.2 per cent in 2018 (i.e.,1.4 million tonnes) as compared to a decrease of approximately 4 per cent across Europe.

Majority of adults value the environment, while climate change is seen as the most pressing environmental issue in Ireland - Feb 28 2019, 11:00 AM
An overwhelming majority of adults (86%) recognise the value of the environment to the people of Ireland, recent research conducted on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found. The EPA released the findings to coincide with the launch of its EPA 2018 in Review report. The Red C poll in November 2018 explored attitudes towards environmental issues.

EPA partners with UCD for ‘The Story of Your Stuff 2019’ competition finale event for second-level students - Feb 27 2019, 11:00 AM
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today announced that it will hold a national finale and prize-giving event for ‘The Story of Your Stuff’ competition at University College Dublin (UCD)’s O’Brien Centre for Science on 09 April. The EPA also announced that this year’s competition ambassador is Cork-based environmental scientist, Dr Tara Shine.

EPA publishes latest National Priority Sites for Enforcement List - Jan 25 2019, 9:15 AM
The EPA has published the latest National Priority Sites List for Enforcement today. Eight sites are on the latest list for failing to meet the necessary environmental standards and these companies face further enforcement action from the EPA to secure compliance.

Research to help deliver a low carbon, sustainable and healthy future - Jan 23 2019, 11:00 AM
The EPA has announced awards totalling €12.2 million to fund new environmental research projects. The EPA environmental research programme is a Government of Ireland initiative, funded by the Department of Communications, Climate Action & Environment.

EPA invites students to explore their impact on the environment in The Story of Your Stuff 2019 competition - Jan 16 2019, 11:45 AM
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is encouraging second-level students to creatively trace the life cycle of their everyday items and tell its story. The call comes as part of the EPA’s The Story of Your Stuff 2019 competition, which was launched today.

The EPA launches strategic partnership with the Rediscovery Centre - Jan 16 2019, 9:00 AM
The EPA today announced a three-year strategic partnership with the Rediscovery Centre, the National Centre for the Circular Economy.