Sustainability

Cop31: When it comes to protecting our coasts, we need transformative large-scale solutions

Too often, our efforts remain project by project, rather than forming part of the larger, connected strategies needed to address the scale of the climate and biodiversity crises, writes Dr Louise Firth, senior lecturer in environmental sustainability at UCC

Thu, 12 Nov, 2026

Action needed as lessons being learned the hard way on flooding

As well as a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, there’s a need for flood defences, protection coastal erosion, drainage of rivers and plans by local authorities to deal with the effects of climate change

Thu, 12 Nov, 2026

COP31: Analysis warns 'irrevocable overshoot’ of global temperature thresholds

Climate Action Tracker found the planet will heat up by 2.7 degrees by the end of the century plunging billions of people due to governments stalling to cut planet-heating emissions

Thu, 12 Nov, 2026

COP31 UNFCCC Climate Conference In Antalya

Cop31: As co-host, Ireland must keep lobbyists away from fossil fuels transition conference

Europe’s growing self-interest and shift to the right cannot excuse domestic climate action failure, or the shirking of international responsibilities, writes Trócaire's Sinéad Loughran

Thu, 12 Nov, 2026

Irish and Tuvaluans consider island solidarity

Cop31 gathering organised by former minister and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan aimed to rally support for a climate conference being hosted by Ireland and Tuvalu next year

Wed, 11 Nov, 2026

Cop31: Political will the only thing holding us back in climate change struggle

At the Cop31 in Turkey, I was introduced to a phrase that caught my attention: ‘Implementalya’ — a call to move beyond ambition and start delivering, right here in Antalya, writes UCC research fellow Vahid Aryanpur

Wed, 11 Nov, 2026

Current afforestation efforts must triple to sustain future sawlog supply

Forest Industries Ireland (FII) has warned that to sustain Ireland's sawlog industry and the timber sector's competitive advantage more supports are needed for afforestation schemes

Wed, 11 Nov, 2026

‘Make or break time’: Cop31 hears UN chief call for no new fossil fuel infrastructure

Guterres told world leaders that it was “make or break time” and the fossil fuel “addiction” needed to end, in a powerful address to mark the start of the leaders’ summit of Cop31 in Turkey

Wed, 11 Nov, 2026

Land designation biggest barrier to forestry

Researcher, Marina Conway, presented the barriers to the implementation of forestry on farms citing psychological and policy blocks making farmers hesitate.

Wed, 11 Nov, 2026

Number of days of heavy rainfall could increase by 56% due to climate change, experts warn

Ireland faces wetter winters, heavier rainfall and prolonged dry spells, Dáil climate committee to hear

Wed, 11 Nov, 2026

Carrigtwohill infrastructure audit sought amid concerns over major population growth

Councillors say roads, parks and sports facilities are not keeping pace with development along the Cork commuter rail corridor.

Tue, 10 Nov, 2026

'Diversification is not a failure': Hybrid sheep farming the future, conference told

Presenting his research on the generational renewal of the sheep sector, Seamus McMenamin said diversification of sheep farms and hybrid working is the expected future of the sector

Tue, 10 Nov, 2026

Public opposition against major infrastructure projects 'ingrained' in Ireland, climate change conference hears

North-South Interconnector, an all-island 400kV overhead electricity project, faces 'massive' local opposition, Cop31 told

Tue, 10 Nov, 2026

COP31 climate summit in Turkiye's Antalya

‘Monster’ El Niño threatens 'unprecedented extreme weather'

Experts say 'nations face a choice: Electric or shock' as they call for decarbonisation and concrete action on the climate crisis to limit its impact

Mon, 09 Nov, 2026

Irish national community safety strategy launch

Waterford community scheme transforms 'unsafe' area, conference hears

The project was developed by the Waterford Community Safety Partnership, one of 36 local bodies around the country set up under a national structure

Mon, 09 Nov, 2026

No farm, no ag science, no problem: Balbriggan duo reach Irish Angus final

In our final instalment for this years Certified Irish Angus Schools Competition profiles we meet a Dublin duo who despite non-traditional introductions to the sector have shot to the final of the competition.

Mon, 09 Nov, 2026

Welfare checks by postal workers and medicine kept cool: Europe warned to prep for future heatwaves

Good examples of heat adaptation measures included French postal workers checking on vulnerable groups, and ensuring heat-sensitive medicines were kept cool, a panel discussion heard

Mon, 09 Nov, 2026

UCC researchers and students join world leaders at Cop31

Speaking ahead of the delegation's departure, UCC president, professor John O'Halloran said Cop31 is "an important opportunity to ensure that scientific evidence remains at the heart of global climate negotiations"

Mon, 09 Nov, 2026

‘A new age of climate extremes’: Earth accumulating heat at accelerating rate

Increased heat will supercharge extreme weather events, warns UN agency as Cop31 climate summit begins

Mon, 09 Nov, 2026

Antalya Prepares To Host COP31 UNFCCC Climate Conference

Colin Sheridan: Ireland's credibility at Cop31 not helped by our lack of climate action at home

Cop 31 is an opportunity for Ireland to influence a global argument on climate change, but three key tests will determine whether the meeting in Antalya delivers progress.

Mon, 09 Nov, 2026

The red fox, Vulpes vulpes, in the waterlogged autumn taiga, Finland

Ciaran Brennan: European Union is gaslighting us all with its simplification agenda on climate action

We can blame the European Commission all we like for watering down environmental measures, but there doesn’t seem to be much pushback from EU nations. In fact, it’s the opposite, with Ireland enthusiastically taking up the baton.

Mon, 09 Nov, 2026

Having a child is a radical act of hope, not a pension plan

A new addition to the family in a week of good news makes Catherine Conlon consider population challenges, sustainability — and how hope is the most important value

Mon, 09 Nov, 2026

COP31 has many issues to resolve but recent events provide hope

The repeated criticisms of the COP summit are ever-present, but the recent election win in Brazil and Donald Trump's trouncing in the US midterms proves that seemingly insurmountable tides can be turned

Sun, 08 Nov, 2026

Primary School Children Sitting at the Desks, Raising Hands to Give Correct Answer

Children can be taught about climate change without alarm or guilt

At a Time of Climate Crisis: Brilliant jobs to protect the planet can protect children from despair

Sat, 07 Nov, 2026

The Cop process is dysfunctional but far from rudderless

The usual stallers must be defied if climate action is to be stepped up

Sat, 07 Nov, 2026

Ireland was once a world leader in natural fibres – and could be again

Climate hope meets hard reality: Is COP31 worth all the fuss?

Cop31: World is now in 'age of electricity', energy agency chief says

Can carbon credits deliver for Ireland, or are we selling ourselves short?

Darragh O'Brien defends late publication of 'revised, reformed' Climate Action Plan

Cop31: Leitrim coasters and Venetian biscuits: A little goes a long way in climate cut through

Cop31: When it comes to protecting our coasts, we need transformative large-scale solutions

Action needed as lessons being learned the hard way on flooding

COP31: Analysis warns 'irrevocable overshoot’ of global temperature thresholds

Cop31: As co-host, Ireland must keep lobbyists away from fossil fuels transition conference

Irish and Tuvaluans consider island solidarity

Cop31: Political will the only thing holding us back in climate change struggle

Current afforestation efforts must triple to sustain future sawlog supply

‘Make or break time’: Cop31 hears UN chief call for no new fossil fuel infrastructure

Land designation biggest barrier to forestry

Number of days of heavy rainfall could increase by 56% due to climate change, experts warn

Carrigtwohill infrastructure audit sought amid concerns over major population growth

'Diversification is not a failure': Hybrid sheep farming the future, conference told

Public opposition against major infrastructure projects 'ingrained' in Ireland, climate change conference hears

‘Monster’ El Niño threatens 'unprecedented extreme weather'

Waterford community scheme transforms 'unsafe' area, conference hears

No farm, no ag science, no problem: Balbriggan duo reach Irish Angus final

Welfare checks by postal workers and medicine kept cool: Europe warned to prep for future heatwaves

UCC researchers and students join world leaders at Cop31

‘A new age of climate extremes’: Earth accumulating heat at accelerating rate

Colin Sheridan: Ireland's credibility at Cop31 not helped by our lack of climate action at home

Ciaran Brennan: European Union is gaslighting us all with its simplification agenda on climate action

Having a child is a radical act of hope, not a pension plan

COP31 has many issues to resolve but recent events provide hope

Children can be taught about climate change without alarm or guilt

The Cop process is dysfunctional but far from rudderless

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