Analysis and opinion on environmental issues. Updated first of each month.
Latest from COMMENTARY
The State of European Transport – March 2024
The need to rapidly move away from fossil fuels to sustainable systems of electrification and clean fuels
2024 Wrapped
Bright moments and wins from 2024 that show why we keep fighting for positive, systemic change.
1 Feb 2025Earthjustice Takes on Big Ag’s Greenwashing
Earthjustice lawsuit against one of the largest meat companies in the world for trying to deceive consumers about its climate impact.
1 Jan 2025Demystifying Compostable and Biodegradable Plastics – from Beyond Plastics/Bennington College
Do safe and sustainable options exist for handling plastics?
1 Dec 2024Open Letter by Climate Scientists to the Nordic Council of Ministers – Reykjavik, October 2024
On the serious risk of a major ocean circulation change in the Atlantic
1 Nov 2024Farmers Protest, Who Gains?
Who is speaking on behalf of the farmers, and what interests do they represent
1 Oct 2024Report Card 2024: Is the Irish Government keeping its word on climate and environment?
Independent experts acknowledge Ireland has ‘turned a corner’ but conclude Programme for Government commitments were not strong enough in the first place. Faster action now needed.
1 Sep 2024The Lough Neagh Report
Factors that have resulted in the devastating spread of blue green algae in the internationally important Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland
1 Aug 2024The State of European Transport 2024
An overview of the EU’s largest climate problem
1 Jul 2024Open letter by civil society on the rollback of green measures in the EU – Brussels, 13 May 2024
A joint statement signed by over 140 civil society organisations to protest the rollback of green measures in the EU
1 Jun 2024IRELAND’S CLIMATE CHANGE ASSESSMENT: Synthesis Report, 2023
A useful entry into the extensive 4-volume Climate Change Assessment by the Irish EPA
1 May 2024EEA, European Climate Risk Assessment
The EEA has published the first ever European Climate Risk Assessment (EUCRA) to help identify policy priorities for climate change adaptation and for climate-sensitive sectors.
1 Apr 2024Ireland’s Draft Updated National Energy and Climate Plan – EU Commission Assessment
EC Assessment of Ireland’s recent update of its National Energy and Climate Plan
1 Mar 2024Legal Bullies Take Notice: EU Prepares to SLAPP Back
First-ever EU law to protect individuals from SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation)
1 Feb 2024IEA, The Fast Emerging Energy Economy
A snapshot of the new energy economy and how fast it is emerging.
1 Jan 2024William Todts/T&E, “How German auto arrogance brought about Europe’s Kodak moment”
Europe’s auto industry has a decades-long track record of doing too little, too late.
1 Dec 2023LAUDATE DEUM: Apostolic Exhortation – Pope Francis
Pope Francis’ recent Apostolic Exhortation on climate change
1 Nov 2023Time to Step Up Citizen Involvement in Climate-Neutrality Plans
Critical need for citizen participation in EU National Energy and Climate Plans
1 Oct 2023Transport & Environment, Why we need a 2040 climate target
Has the adoption of a EU 2040 climate target fallen in the hands of procrastinators?
1 Sep 2023The truth about Bitcoin’s energy use – Grist
Do cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin amount to climate arson or a clean-energy boon? Well, it’s complicated.
1 Aug 2023CLASP and European Public Health Alliance, Exposing the Hidden Health Impacts of Cooking with Gas
All gas cooking appliances release pollutants that are harmful to human health and the environment.
1 Jul 2023EEB, Time For A Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty
The commitment to prevent the proliferation of coal, oil and gas by ending all new exploration and production
1 Jun 2023EEA, Air pollution levels across Europe still not safe, especially for children
Air pollution threats to children’s health
1 May 2023Cross-cutting story 5: Co-benefits of addressing climate change and pollution – European Environment Agency
Intersections of pollution and climate change
1 Apr 2023EEB, Environmental crime is a crime – it’s time to act like it
The legal arsenal to tackle environmental crime is lacking both at national and European level.
1 Mar 2023