The European Commission has confirmed it will limit the amount of crop-based biofuels used in transport in what amounts to a major U-turn on its previous policy. The EU’s target of producing 10 per cent of transport energy from renewable sources by the end of the decade was likely to be met primarily through biofuels...

The price of water would quadruple in Ireland if European trends are applied, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and it is therefore crucial that businesses tackle water efficiency. The average cost of cold water was €2 per cubic meter in Ireland. However, in countries like Germany this cost was as high as €8...

Options for modernising the funding of environmental protection and improvement in Scotland were outlined in a new consultation launched on 11 October 2012. The key reason presented for changing the way SEPA is funded is to help maximise the benefits of the better environmental regulation approach. The consultation from SEPA and the Scottish Government looks...

ECOS Environmental Consultants provide advice to all types businesses, large & small. We work in the areas of Water & Wastewater Quality, Treatment & Management Compliance with legal standards and regulations and other corporate requirements. We also provide outsourced Environmental Management Services Product & Process Optimization/Development Legislation & Best Practice Liability & Risk Evaluation Training,...

Domestic waste water disposal accounts for approximately one-third of residences in Ireland.  There are an estimated 497,000 (CSO, 2012) DWWTSs in Ireland treating waste water from single houses not connected to a public sewer system. The Environmental Protection Agency will implement the  The National Inspection Plan for Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems and will incorporate...

Recent legislation requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a National Inspection Plan for domestic waste water treatment systems, including septic tanks. The Inspection Plan is currently being developed and it is intended that a risk-based approach to inspections will commence in mid-2013. In the interim, the EPA is consulting and engaging with the...

The Department of Agricuture, Food and the Marine has announced the launch of the 2013 Bioenergy Scheme to grant aid the planting of willow and miscanthus crops. The Bioenergy Schemes have supported the planting of some 3,250 hectares of energy crops since 2007. The Scheme is now open for applications and interested farmers can apply for...

Sustainable options can assist businesses to become more economically viable and compliant with legal and Corporate requirements. ECOS enables all types of businesses to sustainably meet their targets and address their economic and environmental requirements. ✓         Reduce the input of materials and energy ✓         Reuse or sympathetically dispose/treat of wastes ✓         Employ the most...

The Deloitte Q2 2012 CFO Survey has stated that 9 out of 10 Irish CFOs identified sustainability as having the strongest impact on long term value creation, compliance, risk management and building trust (ahead off cost control, revenue generation and investor relations). The EU is currently progressing legislation that would require non-financial reporting by CFOs, including...

Ernst and Young, in cooperation with GreenBiz Group, conducted a survey in late 2011 which covered a wide range of topics related to corporate sustainability and reporting. The results show that while interest in these areas continues to rise, the tools are still developing. Conclusions drawn from the outcome of the survey suggest a number of...