Experts urge engineering solutions to cool the planet
Written by News Desk
CLIMATE EXPERTS have urged scientists and engineers to find radical answers to global warning, suggesting they might even explore a way of refreezing the North and South Poles.

More bad news on climate change is expected as more than 2,000 climate scientists gather in Copenhagen. They will be trying to pull together the latest research on global warming ahead of political negotiations later in the year.
ESB to purchase electricity from domestic wind turbines
Written by Jeff Colley
The Commissioner for Energy Regulation has announced that the ESB is to buy electricity from so-called “micro generators” - householders who have their own wind generators or other renewable electricity systems. The price has been set at 9c per unit.

There has been a significant and sustained increase in the number of Building Energy Rating (BER) assessments being completed and published since January 1, when it became mandatory by law for all dwellings offered for sale or lease, both new and existing, to have a BER certificate.
Making homes energy efficient could create 7,000 jobs
Written by News Desk
MEETING MODERN energy-efficiency standards in Irish homes could generate €600 million a year and create 7,000 sustainable jobs, according to new research from DKM Economic Consultants.

Call for contractors to register urgently
Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Eamon Ryan and Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government John Gormley have launched a national energy saving programme designed to stimulate economic recovery.
Wind power becomes Europe's fastest growing energy source
Written by News Desk
More wind power was installed in the EU than any other electricity-generating technology in 2008, according to data released yesterday.
Market opportunity to improve housing stock energy efficiency
Written by Jeff Colley
Given the decline in new build construction and the increasing demand for greater energy efficiency in existing homes, there is a major opportunity to bring about significant improvements in the energy performance of the existing Irish housing stock, according to Professor Owen Lewis, Chief Executive, Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI).

The Government has published a €4.5bn plan for sustainable transport to 2020. The Smarter Travel plan sets out Irelands travel policy for Ireland from now until 2020.
55,000 construction jobs to be lost by 2011, says CIF
Written by Jeff Colley

The
Construction Industry Federation has predicted that up to 55,000 jobs
could be lost in the sector by the end of next year unless action is
taken by the Government.
More...
Dept of Environment plan to phase out light bulbs delayed
Written by News Desk

THE PHASING out of incandescent light bulbs has been delayed until
September following the Department of Environment’s decision to drop
domestic legislation to begin banning them from June.

Energy minister Eamon Ryan today announced that Ireland has signed up as a member of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) at the organisation's founding conference in Bonn, Germany.

EMPLOYMENT IN green sectors is on the rise despite an overall slowdown in the jobs industry, according to recruitment agencies. Jobs in green areas such as renewable energy will continue to increase over the next year, following rapid growth since the summer of 2008, according to Gary Barcoe, divisional manager at Stelfox recruitment.
SEI & RIAI host conference on low energy buildings
Written by Jeff Colley

Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) and the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI) will host 'See the Light 2009 - Energy Efficient Buildings, How Low Can We Go', a conference on energy efficient buildings on Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 February in the Ardilaun Hotel, Galway.