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Climate and Sustainability

<p>As recently as 2003, a heatwave like the current one in Europe would have been 2C cooler due to the lower level of global heating at the time, a new study has warned. Picture: Andy Gibson</p>

news

School closures for heat could now be more likely than snow days

Climate crisis 'already reaching the limits of our societies’ ability to cope', according to new analysis, as scientist warns that buildings in Ireland may not be suitable for new temperature norms

<p>Sleep is surprisingly temperature sensitive with one recent study having found that warmer-than-usual nights shortened sleep, mainly because people fell asleep later. <span class="contextmenu emphasis CaptionCredit">Pictures: iStock</span>
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outdoors

Awake to the consequences: How climate change is affecting our sleep

<p>People cooling off at the seaside on one of the hottest days of the year in Fountainstown, Co. Cork. Picture: David Creedon</p>

world

European heatwave is worst ever and impossible without climate crisis, scientists say

Grand day out at Fountainstown — but some sun-lovers concerned about climate change too

munster

Grand day out at Fountainstown — but some sun-lovers concerned about climate change too

Minister urges delay to water works in period of ‘extreme heat’

news

Minister urges delay to water works in period of ‘extreme heat’

A gamble with gas is a risk that Ireland can't afford to take

comment-analysis

A gamble with gas is a risk that Ireland can't afford to take

Packaging recycling in Ireland rises by 60,000 tonnes

Packaging recycling in Ireland rises by 60,000 tonnes

Repak report shows that more than 1.2m tonnes of packaging was recovered and recycled in 2025

Thu, 25 Jun, 2026

Amount of plastic in 2024 election posters same as in 1.3 million takeaway coffee cups

Amount of plastic in 2024 election posters same as in 1.3 million takeaway coffee cups

'The carbon impact was considered to equate to a full commercial plane making two return flights from Dublin to New York'

Wed, 24 Jun, 2026

Agricultural slurry spreading in a field in England, United Kingdom

Closed-period slurry spreading linked to river pollution in Meath study

Phosphate loss into water during wet weather had been identified earlier, leading to chemistry sampling to determine if slurry was spread in the closed season, and if nutrients were entering the rivers

Wed, 24 Jun, 2026

FRANCE-WEATHER-CLIMATE-HEAT

Extreme heat brings 'life or death' scenarios to citizens across Europe

Cities across Europe have been forced to close schools, curtail public transport, and close tourist sites

Wed, 24 Jun, 2026

Fall in greenhouse gas emissions by agriculture offset by rises in Irish households, new data shows

Fall in greenhouse gas emissions by agriculture offset by rises in Irish households, new data shows

Emissions from households rose by 2.8%, largely due to increases in emissions from household heating, according to the CSO

Tue, 23 Jun, 2026

'We’re all in this together': Cork farmers hear water quality measures at stakeholder event

'We’re all in this together': Cork farmers hear water quality measures at stakeholder event

A Blackwater Catchment water quality event hosted by Teagasc, Dairygold and the Agricultural Science Association showcased measures to help farmers improve local water quality.

Mon, 22 Jun, 2026

Wexford farmers receive 2025 Pasture Progress Award

Wexford farmers receive 2025 Pasture Progress Award

Wexford farmer Liam Rochford has won the 2025 overall Pasture Progress Award, beating other county winners for the title.

Mon, 22 Jun, 2026

Making homemade deodorant stick with all natural ingredients concept. Antiperspirant on minimal background with lot of copy spac

Pit stop: The science behind smelling better with less plastic

Refillable deodorants have elbowed their way into bathroom cabinets and promise fresher pits while resulting in less single-use plastic. They are a small gesture we can all make to help tackle the bigger packaging problem around bathroom products

Sun, 21 Jun, 2026

Damage done: Expanding deer population sparks calls for culls

Damage done: Expanding deer population sparks calls for culls

Culls alone will not solve the problem of an expanding deer population but should form part of a comprehensive herd management plan

Thu, 18 Jun, 2026

New EPA report finds 54% of monitored rivers in acceptable biological condition

New EPA report finds 54% of monitored rivers in acceptable biological condition

Three water bodies in Kerry, Limerick and Tipperary are classified as being in 'bad' condition

Wed, 17 Jun, 2026

Weekly supermarket shopping

Food sector uncertainty around the world accelerates in 2026

Rising prices, increasing use in GLP-1 medicines, geopolitical disruptions and climate pressures have all contributed to the new phase of uncertainty for the food and beverage sector

Wed, 17 Jun, 2026

Freshly processed milk

Irish climate policy could cut protein access for 469,000, UCC Teagasc study reveals

Ireland is specialised in milk and meat production, which are protein sources with a significantly higher digestibility level than plant-based protein

Wed, 17 Jun, 2026

unleaded petrol and diesel fuel pumps at a self service petrol station in the UK

Ireland’s reliance on fossil fuels leaves public exposed to fuel price shocks, report warns

Climate council says targeted supports and cleaner transport options are needed to protect consumers and emissions goals

Wed, 17 Jun, 2026

Funding worth €5m for urban nature-based solutions announced

Funding worth €5m for urban nature-based solutions announced

New nature-based solutions aiming to reduce flooding and increase biodiversity in urban areas will now receive €5m worth of funding

Tue, 16 Jun, 2026

AI has transformed weather prediction — don't let the negativity win

AI has transformed weather prediction — don't let the negativity win

AI has plenty of risks that we must guard against, but data-driven AI is a tool we should embrace to protect our infrastructure, our climate, and our society, writes Andrew Parnell

Tue, 16 Jun, 2026

Sign for the Irish Health Service Executive (HSE) - Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhise Slainte

HSE in danger of missing legally binding Climate Action Plan targets

The HSE accounts for about 20% of all energy consumption by the public sector

Sun, 14 Jun, 2026

Beautiful Landscape depicting Strange Weather Phenomenon due to Climate Change, comprising dramatic dark grey Nimbus clouds alon

El Nino is here and scientists fear it will be big, bad, and costly

Meteorologists forecast it will rival, or exceed, a record El Nino that began in 1997 and helped trigger vast amounts of damage from heatwaves, floods, droughts, tornadoes and wildfires

Thu, 11 Jun, 2026

Air Pollution by coal fired power station

Current rate of warming will push planet to more severe heatwaves, storms and floods by 2030

Minister for the environment Darragh O’Brien has conceded that Ireland will not hit its carbon emissions targets, recently saying billions of euro in fines will follow as a consequence

Thu, 11 Jun, 2026

Alltech expands EU applications lab in Meath

Alltech expands EU applications lab in Meath

Alltech's European headquarters has expanded its EU Applications Laboratory, which will focus on nutrient efficiency, environmental impact and renewable energy

Thu, 11 Jun, 2026

Farmer Receiving A Delivery Of Nitrogen Sulphur Fertiliser To A Sustainable Farm.

MEP calls for support package following 71% fertiliser price hike

The EU Commission have dipped into CAP crisis reserves to pad the fertiliser support fund for EU farmers to €500m following a price hike of 71% in April 2026 compared to 2024 figures

Thu, 11 Jun, 2026

Searing World Cup heat could scupper chances of contenders Spain, Portugal, and Argentina

Searing World Cup heat could scupper chances of contenders Spain, Portugal, and Argentina

Spanning across the USA, Mexico and Canada, temperatures for matches are expected to average around 23C. FIFA’s heat index lists 28C as the temperature threshold at which player performance can be significantly impaired

Thu, 11 Jun, 2026

Worried young couple with financial bills stock photo

Budget 2027 'must target people most at risk of fuel poverty'

The Just Transition Commission said reducing vulnerable people's exposure to price shocks would work better than 'universal energy credits and broad fuel price cuts'

Thu, 11 Jun, 2026

EPA report finds 43% of farms were non-compliant with water quality regulations in 2025

EPA report finds 43% of farms were non-compliant with water quality regulations in 2025

The report published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found the predominant issues are the control of soiled water, discharges with potential to impact water quality, management of farmyard manure and slurry collection and storage

Wed, 10 Jun, 2026

Munster properties among most exposed to 'immense' coastal erosion threat

Munster properties among most exposed to 'immense' coastal erosion threat

A report from the University of Galway calls for legislation to address coastal change and planned relocation, as well as creating a framework for compensation

Wed, 10 Jun, 2026

Open Cast Lignite Mine And Power Plant in Germany

World's biggest banks spent almost €80bn funding fossil fuel industry last year, report shows

Surge in new fossil fuel lending, up $64bn on 2024, shows the world’s largest 65 banks are making decisions incompatible with international agreements to restrain rising global temperatures

Tue, 09 Jun, 2026