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...

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...

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...

The new Enterprise Ireland €200,000 Competitive Feasibility Fund for the West Region has been launched. The Competitive Feasibility Fund Can provide up to €25,000 per project. Is aimed at supporting feasibility studies of start-up ideas with job-creating potential for the West. Is focused growth-oriented businesses with the potential to move into export markets. Is now open...

Sustainability must address Economic, Social and Environmental Requirements. In many instances the word Viability could be used instead of Sustainability ECOS Environmental Consultants provide expert Knowledge, Advice and Solutions to all types of businesses Water & Wastewater – Quality, Treatment, Compliance Environmental Management – Investigation, Innovation, Optimization Troubleshooting & Problem Solving – All of the above...

The European Commission’s Directorate General for Research and Innovation has launched a competition to find the most innovative public authorities in Europe. I Up to nine prizes of €100,000 will be awarded to successful, already running public initiatives that benefit citizens, firms or the education and research sector. The purpose of the prize is to encourage...

The new Programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (COSME) will run from 2014 to 2020, with a planned budget of €2.5bn (current prices). The Objectives are: Facilitating access to finance for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) Creating an environment favourable to business creation and growth Encouraging an entrepreneurial culture in...

A new report on how Member States manage their municipal waste shows startling differences across the EU. The report grades the 27 Member States against 18 criteria, using green, orange and red flags in areas such as total waste recycled, pricing of waste disposal, and infringements of European legislation. The resulting scoreboard forms part of...