By George Byrne Q: Who does the EU Taxonomy apply to? The EU taxonomy is a classification system created by the European Union to define environmentally sustainable economic activities. It applies to a wide range of entities and participants in the financial sector....
With dramatically increasing electricity costs, one of the most popular search terms on google is how to save on the electricity bill. A subset of those searches is whether you can save electricity by switching off the freezer at night. The replies to that latter...
There is much talk about the need to reduce gas import into the EU. For example, Russia supplies around one third of Europe’s gas. However, the gas networks of all EU countries are interconnected so that if, for example, Ireland reduces its gas use, then that will...
The incorrect disposal of batteries is a serious concern in waste management. Lithium-ion and nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, also referred to as 'zombie batteries', can cause fires in waste or recycling sites. Fire outbreaks lead to the release of the toxic...
Dual-flush toilets were introduced as a water saving solution but in practise, they cause massive waste of water Water saving techniques have become increasingly important as countries confront water shortages. Because toilet flushing accounts for 30% of domestic...
The government's target for one million EVs on the country roads is not credible according to many experts. If this target is going to be missed (and the government's record to date on any EV target is poor) then we need a better target. The Problem The majority of...
With many of Ireland’s factories currently closed, now is the perfect time for HSE and facility managers to consider some important changes. This includes considering how to improve health and safety, increase productivity and reduce environmental impacts. In other...
The Coronavirus and Climate Denialism The Coronavirus and the Climate Crisis share many of the same traits. You could view the Coronavirus as an acute version of the Climate Crisis. The same warnings, the same consequences, the same misinformation and know-nothingness...
One unexpected bonus from the current coronavirus lockdown in the UK is that some domestic electricity consumers will be paid to use electricity during the day. The reason is twofold, firstly the current breezy weather is producing a surge in wind power. Second, the...
The reported worldwide reduction in nitrogen dioxide levels due to Covid-19 lockdowns shows what is possible with a concerted effort. Whilst NO2 is not a green house gas and will therefore not reduce global warming, it is a proxy for green house gas emissions. The...