Why is the EU gutting landmark pieces of legislation it only passed recently?
Ursula von der Leyen is taking a scissors to EU’s ‘red tape’ perception
Sustainability
Waterford company walks the walk in sustainable footwear
New Innovator: Sampla produces a unisex shoe made from a mix of sustainable materials including water resistant apple-derived leather
The Irish town that’s saying no to plastic sachets
Last November, Clonakilty in west Cork set itself the goal of phasing out single-use plastic sachets before the start of this year’s tourist season
Jane Fonda: ‘I don’t feel like an old person. I’m much younger than I was when I was in my 20s’
At 87, the actor and activist has become the face of a new luxury trainers campaign
How often should you wash your clothes? French officials have the answer
Wash your clothes less and they will last longer, the detrimental effects of laundry practices will be reduced and you’ll save money
Every piece of clothing I buy is matched by a parting: one in, one out. It focuses the mind
Clothes well made by fairly paid people out of good quality fabric are not cheap, nor should they be
Jewellery might not always leave us with a clear conscience but it’s fun, and pleasure is not trivial
Sparkle is not a necessity for survival but aesthetic delight is part of what makes us human
On Valentine’s Day, say it with flowers – just don’t buy the ones with a bad backstory
Giving flowers is a lovely gesture, but the backstory of some bouquets is just plain ugly
Shifting our eating patterns away from animal products is smart for lots of reasons
A meal with less meat and dairy is better for our health, for the environment and for our pockets
Trump’s claim that diversity policies caused plane crash is part of an attack on ‘woke capitalism’
Forget ‘greenwashing’ - now the talk in the corporate world is of “greenhushing”
Reggie’s Pizzeria review: The Margherita is a study in simplicity at this ambitious new Rathmines venture
Every detail at pizzaiolo-in-chief Reggie White’s new restaurant has been carefully considered
A creative way to dispose of chipped or unwanted crockery
Waterford-based artist Sean Corcoran wants us to think differently about excess of all kinds, through the medium of unwanted mugs, jugs and plates
Diary of a retrofit: It cost €60,000 but it is worth every cent
SEAI grants helped transform this three-bed semidetached house in the Tenters in Dublin 8 from a chilly BER F rating to a cosy A3 home
New sustainability reporting rules could hurt Ireland’s reputation, law firms warn
Corporate law firms sought to influence new regulations making large companies report on their environmental impact
Renting outfits instead of buying doesn’t cost the earth
Haven’t got a thing to wear? Save money, save the planet, and look fabulous in hired occasion wear
The rise of repair cafes: ‘It’s not sustainable to keep buying new stuff’
A resurgent repair culture has a bottom-up energy, but change is also coming from the top, with the EU’s Right to Repair Directive
Chris Packham: ‘I was a very angry young man, confused because of my undiagnosed autism. It had an enormous impact on my life’
British environmentalist and BBC presenter Chris Packham on battling to save the planet, standing up to his enemies, and how his autism made him hate himself
Rewilding: A meaningful response to tackling the biodiversity crisis
The concept is an eco-centric approach which is nature-led and human-enabled
Home savings: Changing the way you boil the kettle could save you €30
After your electric shower, tumble dryer and cooker, your kettle is the most energy intensive user of electricity
Forget pandering to Independent TDs, these are the issues the new government needs to deal with
The consequences of business as usual are ever more frightening, particularly in relation to climate change
Hot school meals scheme: ‘We are institutionalising consumption of ultra-processed food in our children’
Q&A with food analyst Ruth Hegarty: ‘There is a nutrition standard for hot school meals provided by the Government, but there is no oversight of this’
Young scientist exhibition: Students deploy innovative skills at frontier of renewable energy
Solar and wind power feature creatively in a number of projects at the annual competition
President criticises Nato’s ‘appalling’ call for increased military spending
Michael D Higgins implores young scientists to commit to welfare of all global citizens and counter war rhetoric
Using the right bin can save money and reduce environmental impact
Our recycling rate has not improved in a decade: here’s some tips on how to dispose of our waste properly
A tree is not just for Christmas. Was getting a real tree the right choice?
Tending to a tree all year can be rewarding – plus it’s better for the environment than the plastic variety
Ireland needs a national hub to drive fintech research and innovation
Hub capable of attracting multinationals and boosting our competitiveness could mirror facilities such as Level 39 in London and Station F in France
Destroying the planet to save it — what could possibly go wrong?
Environmentalists, unlike business advocates, can see too clearly how the world works and are willing to call it out
A year of devastating climate firsts, a dispiriting outcome to Cop29 and elections where climate was off the radar
Ireland heard plenty of ‘eco rhetoric’ in 2024 but there was a clear sense that political leaders have not grasped the reality of the climate emergency
Your EV questions answered: Am I better to drive my 13-year-old diesel until it dies than buy a new EV?
Helping to separate electric vehicle myths from facts, we’re here to answer all your EV questions
Progress and success are not the same thing when it comes to climate action
Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil naively believe they can have policies that both increase and decrease carbon pollution at the same time, and still be rewarded for making a good effort
Four ways to use less electricity with your Christmas lights
A few simple adjustments this year can make Christmas a bit less harsh on the planet
‘Don’t miss out’: Developing the hydrogen fuel industry could transform transport in Ireland
In 10 years, Ireland could cut emissions in hard-to-reach transport sectors, says Hydrogen Mobility Ireland
Ireland’s recycling rate has not improved for a decade, while waste continues to grow
Figures are going in the wrong direction, EPA report on progress suggests
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