Velux calls for Irish homeowners to act on green intentions
Written by News Desk
Velux is calling for Irish homeowners to take positive steps to improve
the energy efficiency of their own homes. The company’s sustainable
department is planning to raise awareness of renewable technologies
though an information-led campaign at Ireland’s largest consumer-facing
exhibitions throughout 2009.Forestry Stewardship Council vs Sustainable Forestry Initiative
Written by Lenny AntonelliAn interesting discussion on TreeHugger on the merits of various forestry certification programs, including the below photo (courtesy of Heart of Green) that apparently shows both FSC (Forestry Stewarship Council) and SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) certified forests.
Boosting biodiversity in the built environment
Written by Lenny Antonelli
A new report from the UK's Green Building Council has recommended a variety of steps that builders, planners and architects can take to enhance biodiversity in the built environment. Among the recommended design features are:
- Nesting bricks built into cavity walls for birds such as swifts and starlings
- Ledges on high buildings that mimic cliff faces for peregrine falcons and other birds of prey
- Careful lighting and roosting boxes under bridges to allow bats to inhabit areas that are usually too bright
- Green roof and walls (explored at length in Construct Ireland last year)
Green ideas shortlisted by the Sustainable Development Commission
Written by Lenny Antonelli
A quick glance through the ideas short-listed in the UK Sustainable Development Commission's 'Breakthrough Ideas' competition reveals a few concepts that have previously been discussed in depth in Construct Ireland.
Kingspan Solar Launches accredited installer scheme
Written by News Desk
Kingspan Solar, part of Kingspan Renewables Ltd, has launched its all-Ireland solar accreditation scheme.
Durkan creates 150 Jobs for €9bn home insulation market
Written by News Desk
Following the Home Energy Saving scheme announcement by Minister Eamon Ryan last week, Durkan Residential, the Irish homebuilding company, has launched a new subsidiary, Durkan EcoFix , which will create 150 jobs to serve the home insulation market estimated to be worth €9 billion.
Building work to commence at Ireland's first ecovillage
Written by News Desk
Duncan Stewart launched the build phase of Ireland's first ecovillage, the Village project in Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, last Saturday, 21 March.
More...
Obama may delay signing Copenhagen climate change deal
Written by News Desk
Barack Obama may be forced to delay signing up to a new international agreement on climate change in Copenhagen at the end of the year.
An interesting debate has broken out on the Guardian's Comment is Free site over the pros and cons of using charcoal as a means of sequestering carbon, an idea discussed in Construct Ireland by Richard Douthwaite in 2007.
The €50m Home Energy Saving scheme is open for applications as of today.
Green Party promises thousands of new green collar jobs
Written by News Desk
THE GREEN Party will bring thousands of “green-tech” jobs to Dublin, its European candidate election in the constituency, Déirdre de Búrca, promised yesterday.