Table of Contents 1 492

Ireland's State of the Environment Report 2024

Introduction 27
1. Introduction 27
2. Wider context of protecting Ireland’s environment 27
3. A different Ireland 29
4. Public perceptions and the environment 33
5. Content of the report 35
Key chapter messages 36
References 37
Air 41
1. Introduction 41
2. Air quality standards in Ireland 44
3. Emissions and national emission reduction commitments 48
4. National ambient air quality monitoring network 50
5. National air quality policy 56
6. Conclusions 58
Key chapter messages 59
References 60
Environmental Noise 63
1. Introduction 63
2. Impacts of environmental noise 64
3. Assessment of environmental noise from transport sources in Ireland 65
4. Impacts of noise and noise complaints 71
5. Outlook for noise policy and mitigation measures 73
6. Noise initiatives 77
7. Emerging issues 77
8. Conclusions 78
Key chapter messages 80
References 81
Climate Change 85
1. Introduction 85
2. Climate change is happening 87
3. International, EU and national policy contexts 90
4. Greenhouse gas emissions trends and projections 93
5. Adaptation and resilience 103
6. Citizen engagement 106
7. Finance 107
8. Just transition 108
9. Research 109
10. Conclusions 110
Key chapter messages 112
References 113
Land 117
1. Introduction 117
2. Land cover 118
3. Land use 124
4. Land use commitments and constraints 127
5. Responses to land use pressures and land demands 139
6. Conclusions 141
Key chapter messages 143
References 144
Soil 147
1. Introduction 147
2. Soil health and global threats to soil health 148
3. EU Soil Strategy 148
4. Status of soils in Ireland 150
5. Emerging aspects of soil health 157
6. Conclusions 157
Nature 163
1. Introduction 163
2. The status of protected nature in Ireland 165
3. Threats to nature and biodiversity 172
4. Global and European policies, plans and programmes for nature 180
5. Current action on nature 183
6. Conclusions 189
Key chapter messages 190
References 191
Water 195
1. Introduction 195
2. Current situation 195
3. What is the problem? Significant pressures and issues 200
4. Responses 206
5. Outlook 214
6. Conclusions 215
Key chapter messages 216
References 217
The Marine Environment 219
1. Introduction 219
2. Current health of Irish marine waters 223
3. Drivers, pressures and impacts 230
4. Responses 235
5. Conclusions 241
Key chapter messages 242
References 243
Environment and Agriculture 247
1. Overview 247
2. The impacts of agriculture on the environment 254
3. Key strategies, plans and programmes 262
4. Supporting farmers to make changes 266
5. Farming for the future 271
6. Conclusions 276
Key chapter messages 277
References 278
Environment and Transport 283
1. Introduction 283
2. Demand for mobility 284
3. Environmental pressures of and impacts from transport 292
4. Responses 298
5. Areas for focus 305
6. Conclusions 306
Key chapter messages 307
References 308
Environment and Energy 313
1. Introduction 313
2. Energy, health and the environment 315
3. Sources of and trends in Ireland’s key energy-related greenhouse gas emissions 316
4. Key energy demand drivers 317
5. EU and national energy policy 318
6. Ireland’s energy supply 319
8. Electricity generation 324
9. Looking ahead 325
10. Subsidies and taxes 330
11. Conclusions 333
Key chapter messages 335
References 336
Environment and Industry 339
1. Introduction 339
2. European policy context 339
3. Environmental regulation in Ireland 343
4. Emissions from industry 347
5. Cumulative impacts 354
6. Unauthorised industrial activities 356
7. Resource use in industry 358
8. Responses to environmental challenges 360
9. Industry and climate action 363
10. Conclusions 365
References 367
Environment, Health and Wellbeing 371
1. Introduction 371
2. Positive environmental exposures - enhancing our health and wellbeing 373
3. Key environmental and health issues 376
4. Climate change and health 396
5. One Health approach 397
6. Conclusions 399
Key chapter messages 400
References 401
Circular Economy and Waste 407
1. Introduction 407
2. Circular economy and waste drivers 408
3. Current situation 414
4. Pressure and impacts 422
5. Responses 424
6. Conclusions 434
Key chapter messages 436
References 437
Environmental Policy Implementation and Performance 441
1. Introduction 441
2. Assessment of Ireland’s environmental performance 446
3. Improving environmental performance and policy implementation in Ireland 466
4. Conclusions 470
Key chapter messages 470
References 472
Conclusions 477
1. Introduction 477
2. Environmental scorecard for Ireland 479
3. Key challenges and priorities for Ireland’s environment 481
4. Concluding statement 488
References 489

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