The Government has been accused of "utter hypocrisy" on climate change after it blocked a Bill seeking to ban oil and gas exploration in Irish waters.

The chief proponent of a ban on oil and gas drilling in Irish waters has threatened the possibility of a legal challenge against the State in order to resurrect the proposed legislation which has been blocked by the Government.

Director of environmental group Friends of the Earth Oisin Coghlan outlines five tests for the new all-of-government climate plan.

New research has found that solar panels on homes and businesses can make a significant contribution to Ireland's switch to clean energy.

Latest: The Government Minister charged with overseeing Ireland's new plan to combat climate change has declared it a moral necessity.

The Government's National Mitigation Plan aimed at reducing pollution will be launched later today.

An Oireachtas watchdog has backed a ban on fracking, with a warning that it would be irresponsible to allow it.

An Oireachtas committee has backed a ban on fracking, with a warning that it would be irresponsible to allow it.

As environmental groups warn that decisions must be made about the future of the country’s biggest power plant and biggest producer of greenhouse gases, the ESB has said it saves customers up to €200m a year in electricity bills.

One in five cars sold here needs to be electric by 2020 if Ireland is to hit its renewable energy targets and avoid fines of up to €130m.

The Irish Garden Plant Society Munster Branch will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, February 3 at the SMA Hall Wilton, starting at 8pm. 

A “roadmap” for new laws to combat climate change has been unveiled.

GREENHOUSE gas emissions have risen in the agriculture, energy and industrial sectors — even though the country’s overall emission figures have fallen.

The Greens have published an ambitious new bill to deal with Ireland's efforts to stem climate change.

FRIENDS of the Earth and the IFA have issued hugely divergent reactions to the expected publication next week of a new Climate Change Bill, which is being promoted by Environment Minister John Gormley.

Homeowners and motorists will see hikes in oil, gas and fuel costs after the Government announced a €15 per-tonne tax on carbon-polluters.

Environmental lobby group Friends of the Earth has welcomed the introduction of a carbon tax in today's Budget.

Environmental campaigners formed a human wave in Dublin today to call on the Government to push for a meaningful deal at the forthcoming UN climate change summit in Copenhagen.

Environmental groups today welcomed comments by John Gormley in which the Green Party leader said he would demand a climate change law as part of the upcoming review of the Greens' Programme for Government with Fianna Fáil.

Up to 300 tonnes of oil was spilled into the sea more than 50 miles off the West Cork coast on Saturday, it emerged tonight.

Friends of the Earth has described today's Budget as "scattered and inadequate in its response to the climate crisis".

An environmental organisation is calling on the Government to treat the issues for climate change as seriously as they are treating this year's budget.

ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners claimed yesterday that the latest revelations about the Sellafield nuclear plant in England ended the argument in favour of nuclear power in this country.

Friends of the Earth have called Brian Cowen's Budget 'one small step' in Ireland's road to sustainability.

THE number of children driven to school by their parents has almost doubled in 20 years — with most journeys as short as two kilometres.

CONSUMERS are ‘paying the Earth’ for environmentally friendly versions of day-to-day household goods.

The government must pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to three percent annually if it is to meet G8 targets, environmentalists warned today.

Environmentalists today sent every TD elected to the new Dáil a copy of the global warming film An Inconvenient Truth.

The Government is coming under pressure to do more to curb global warming.

THE cost of a plastic bag will rise to 22 cents by the end of this month in an effort to reduce the increasing number of bags sold.

Today's Budget makes clear the Government plans to buy its way out of Ireland's commitment under the Kyoto Protocol to tackle climate change, according to environmental lobby group Friends of the Earth.

GOVERNMENT policy of carbon emission charges is great news for the big-time polluters, according to Friends of the Earth (FOE), but not such good news for the PAYE citizens that will pay the price.

THE conclusions of the independent salmon group on drift nets are welcome (Irish Examiner, October 25). The Government’s response will reveal much about the relationship between scientific advice and political decision-making.

IF the PDs are serious about significant reform of stamp duty, they should link the amount paid to the energy efficiency rating of the house.

The British Ambassador tonight attempted to allay fears about future British nuclear energy policy.

An environmental group today called the planned 4c increase in the plastic bag tax a “missed opportunity”.

SHOPKEEPERS who give away plastic bags instead of charging the 15 cent Government levy are facing a crackdown and fines of up to €3,000.

UP TO 300 million disposable nappies are swamping Irish landfills every year, according to latest figures.

ENVIRONMENT Minister Dick Roche is under increasing pressure to review Government policy on climate change after the publication of figures showing Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions rose in 2004 after a modest drop in the previous year.

Friends of the Earth has hit out at Environment Minister Dick Roche's reaction to an EPA report highlighting a rise in Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions last year.