Blog: Fed up with Belfast traffic? It's more than just delaying your day
Monday 26 February 2018
The congestion in Belfast is not only problematic due to time wasted sitting in traffic and the associated impact on productivity – it is said Belfast drivers lose eight days a year sitting in traffic - sitting in traffic also causes negative health and well-being implications such as increased blood pressure and chronic stress. Even more alarming, however, is the direct health impacts of air pollution primarily caused by levels of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) produced from the tailpipes of diesel and petrol vehicles.
A new deal to recycle more mattresses, carpets and furniture and save them from the nightmare of landfill has been secured by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and social enterprise recycler Usel. The agreement will see Belfast-based Usel (Ulster Supported Employment Ltd) work with NIEA to expand their recycling facilities and help protect and enhance our local environment.
Ards and North Down Council bans single use plastics
Wednesday 14 February 2018
Councillors in Ards and North Down Borough Council backed a motion to “end to use of single use plastics” and for the council to promote eco-friendly alternatives across the borough.
Local environmental charity Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful has launched Green Key in Northern Ireland. Green Key is an internationally recognised eco-certification for the hospitality sector, thereby boosting the local tourism and hospitality industry and championing sustainable best practices.
Belfast Met lead €9.39m Smart Renewable Hydrogen Project
Thursday 25 January 2018
GENCOMM is an exciting new project being delivered by Belfast Metropolitan College with a number of European partners to address the energy sustainability challenges of communities through the implementation of smart hydrogen-based energy solutions.
The Belfast Summit on Gobal Food Integrity took place from 28 - 31 May 2018 at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast. The Summit brought together food-security experts from all over the world, spanning academia, industry, agriculture, NGOs and regulators.
The Department of International Development (DFID) intends to submit a Voluntary National Review (VNR) at the 2019 High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development to outline the UK's intended approach for implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Review of Environmental Governance in Northern Ireland
Friday 1 December 2017
The Report, commissioned in late 2015, looks at the adequacies of existing environmental governance arrangements in Northern Ireland and seeks to develop and strengthen ways in which Northern Ireland deals with environmental governance.
Climate Change legislation in Northern Ireland - Is it just a lot of hot air?
Friday 1 December 2017
Suzie Cave from the NI Assembly Research Matters Team investigates the introduction of climate change legislation in Northern Ireland, exploring some of the main arguments expressed for and against it.
Autumn Budget 2017: Benefits in-kind electric vehicles
Wednesday 29 November 2017
Employees that charge their electric vehicles at work will not incur a benefit-in-kind charge on the electricity used. The announcement is part of the government’s focus on electric vehicles, which includes a new £400 million charging infrastructure fund, an extra £100 million investment in the plug-in-car grant, and £40 million in charging research and development.
