Further big cuts to the amount of greenhouse gases produced in the EU promise to affect every aspect of people’s lives, from their homes, to transport, to work and food.

In Ireland we are climate hypocrites, you see. How else can you explain the fact that the number of retro-fitting projects aimed at saving energy halved in the last three years? And the fact that Rabbitte has just pushed back new energy efficiency regulations for new buildings until far-off 2020?

IRELAND will be well represented at the UN climate change conference which gets underway in Copenhagen today, with Taoiseach Brian Cowen and representatives of various government departments due to attend, but how have we been performing on the environment in general?

The Government wants to slash harmful greenhouse gas emissions by 10% in just one year to help meet tough EU targets, it was revealed today.

AL GORE last night warned the world must act quickly to slow the melting of the polar ice packs and glaciers before it reaches a critical rate for global warming.

NEGOTIATORS from 187 countries have agreed to launch talks which, it is hoped, will lead to a new international climate change deal.

China refused to accept mandatory cuts on greenhouse gases today saying the West should lead the climate change battle by being less extravagant.

An earthquake rattled Indonesia’s resort island of Bali today where thousands of people were gathering for the UN climate change conference but there were no reports of damage or injuries.

MORE than 200 leading climate scientists yesterday called for urgent cuts in greenhouse gases, with reductions of at least 50% by 2050.

Scientists and conservationists from around the world are today calling on governments to halt the deforestation which causes up to a quarter of climate change emissions.