IBEC Conference - Carbon Footprinting

A Landmark Conference on .......

 Carbon Footprinting

Energy use and the impact of business activities on climate change are strategic challenges for enterprises today - Carbon Footprinting is a means of identifying and managing those impacts.

On 28 May 2008 - at the Mansion House, Dawson Street, Dublin 2 - the Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC) will host a landmark conference on Carbon Footprinting - the first of its kind in Ireland - with the support of Sustainable Energy Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and the Change Campaign - Ireland's Plan of Action on Climate Change.

The conference is an exciting opportunity for Irish businesses to explore the role of carbon footprinting in the individual business response to the challenges of climate change and environmental sustainability. Guest speakers will include international and national experts and practitioners who will explain the mechanics of carbon footprinting, showcase best practice in terms of carbon management and sustainability and highlight opportunities for Irish businesses wishing to take control of and reduce emissions.

The event will answer the following key questions -

• What is a carbon footprint and what does it mean for my business?
• Why and how is it measured? 
• How can a carbon footprint be offset and verified? 
• How is carbon footprinting being utilised across business sectors? 

Who should attend?

• Organisations concerned about their impact on climate change and who wish to take action to improve performance
• Organisations new to the language of climate change and carbon footprinting and who wish to discover what is possible 
• Organisations already actively involved on energy management, climate change and sustainability issues.
  

To download the Conference Brochure - together with Booking Form - Click Here

Notice Of Proposed Variation Of Cork City Development Plan 2004: Tall Buildings Policy

NOTICE OF PROPOSED VARIATION (NO. 8) OF CORK CITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2004: TALL BUILDINGS POLICY

Notice is hereby given that Cork City Council, in accordance with the powers conferred on it by Section 13 of the Planning & Development Act 2000 hereby gives notice that it has prepared a Proposed Variation No. 8 (Tall Buildings Policy) of the Cork City Development Plan 2004.

The proposed variation provides a framework for assessing proposals for tall buildings. In particular, it:

• Identifies where tall buildings will not be appropriate in principle;
• Identifies areas of the city where tall buildings will be appropriate in principle;
• Identifying specific locations for new tall buildings in North Blackpool and Mahon; and
• Provides guidance on the height of proposed tall buildings.

A copy of the proposed variation may be inspected at the locations listed below at the stated times during the period between Tuesday 22 April 2008 to Wednesday 21 May 2008 inclusive.

Planning and Development Counter, City Hall between 9.30a.m. – 4.30p.m.(Monday – Friday Inclusive)

Main Reception,City Hall, Cork between 9.00a.m. – 5.00p.m.(Monday – Friday Inclusive)

Central Library, Grand Parade,Cork between 10.00a.m. – 5.30p.m. (Monday  – Saturday Inclusive)

Cork City Council website at www.corkcity.ie

Written submissions or observations with respect to the proposed variation may be made to the Planning Authority during the period of 22 April 2008 to 21 May 2008 and should be addressed to:

Kevin Terry,

Director of Services & City Engineer,

Planning & Development Directorate,

City Hall, Cork.

OR by email to: planning@corkcity.ie

All written submissions received by 4.30p.m on Wednesday 21 May 2008 will be taken into consideration before the making of the variation to the Cork City Development Plan 2004.

For more details see http://www.corkcity.ie/ourservices/developmentplanning/developmentplan/variationsofthecorkcitydevelopmentplan2004/proposedvariationno8corkcitydevelopmentplan2004/

The Energy Efficiency & Renewable Technologies Training & Certification Programme

The Energy Efficiency & Renewable Technologies Training & Certification Programme

The Energy Efficiency & Renewable Technologies Training & Certification Programme has been developed by FÁS in association with Waterford County Council (Waterford Energy Bureau) and the Construction Industry Federation.

The programme is designed to meet the training and certification needs of both public and private sector staff involved in improving energy efficiency and evaluating renewable/alternative energy options for industrial and commercial premises. The same principles can also apply to private housing developments.

The programme has been developed in response to the Government White Paper – Delivering a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland and is intended for -

• Technicians, Engineers, Designers, Architects, Facility Managers, Energy Managers;
• Build Project Managers, Site Agents, Developers;
• Personnel who want to improve their knowledge on how to reduce energy demand and carbon emissions and how to evaluate the main forms of renewable energy for application within new and existing buildings.
  

Note: Participants are expected to have some previous energy related knowledge.

The Programme, which will include modular and competency assessments tests, will qualify participants for the Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) Skills Certificate (Level 6) in Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies.

The total duration of the Programme is six days and will be delivered in two-day blocks spread over a period of time. In addition to the training, a number of work-related projects will be undertaken and evaluated. The Programme will take place at Clonea Strand Hotel, Dungarvan, Co Waterford (9.00am - 5.00pm each day).

Programme Dates
- Wednesday & Thursday, 30th April & 1st May 2008
- Tuesday & Wednesday, 13th & 14th May 2008
- Wednesday & Thursday, 28th & 29th May 2008.

For further details, including Registration Form - Click Here

Photo Competition for Biodiversity Day

The Irish Natural Forestry Foundation (INFF) is calling on all Young Photographers to take part in a competition to mark the International Day for Biological Diversity 2008.



INFF was established in 2002 to research, demonstrate and promote economically, socially and environmentally sustainable forestry in Ireland.  INFF, a non-profit charity, has established an education centre and demonstration site within Manch Estate near Ballineen.



In conjunction with a series of nationwide events designed to celebrate Biodiversity Day on May 22nd, INFF will host a series of events which will take place within the Manch Estate's beautiful 300 acre woodland site.  On Sunday May 18th, there will be a day of walks, talks and workshops.  In addition, the farmers market, rural crafts fair and children's activities should provide a fun-filled day for all the family.  While on Sunday 25th the 'Munch at Manch' will take place. At this Slow Food forest feast leading Cork chefs will prepare a banquet of wild and local delicacies.



As part of these exciting happenings there will be a photography competition with the theme of 'Biodiversity in Ireland'.  The competition is open to all young people under 18 and there will be 3 categories: under 10 year old, 10 to 14 years old and 15 to 18 years old.  There are 3 prizes for each category: 1st prize of €100, 2nd prize of €50 and 3rd prize of €25.



The competition will be judged by Mike Brown, nature photographer; Lynn Wright, artist and environmentalist and Marc Holden, photographer.  The winning photographs will be displayed at Manch during Biodiversity Week celebrations and the prizes will be awarded to the winning photographers on May 18th.



Photographs may be submitted either as prints or as high resolution digital photographs.  Entries in print format should be 8" x 10" and posted to INFF, Manch, Ballineen, Co. Cork.  Digital entries can be emailed toenquiries@inff.ie and photographs should be a maximum file size of 3MB.  A digital entry form and further information can be found on the INFF website at www.inff.ie



The closing date for entries is Wednesday April 30th which is fast approaching, so get snapping!  We encourage all budding photographers to enter.  Also keep an eye on local press, the INFF website www.inff.ie, the Slow Food Ireland website http://www.slowfoodireland.com and the Notice Nature website www.noticenature.ie for further details of Biodiversity Day on May 18th and the Munch at Manch on May 25th

The CHANGE campaign

The CHANGE campaign aims to focus Ireland's plan of action in response to the challenges of climate change. It will engage with people in all sectors to encourage the changes needed to make to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The campaign's overriding goal is to drive significant behavioural change to lower and ultimately avoid greenhouse gas emissions. The development of partnerships will be key to tackling the issue of climate change.

 

In order to further develop partnerships and to increase awareness of the issues of climate change among the sectors, CHANGE is holding a series of events in Dublin, Cork and Galway. These events are targeted at people who already have responsibility or are likely to in the future for addressing climate change in their organisation / sector.

The first round of these events entitled 'Change your World – The Challenge' will take place in Cork on 30^th April, Gresham Metropole Hotel and other locations as follows:

 

Galway – 23^rd April, Radisson Hotel

Dublin – 1^st May, Gresham Hotel

The CHANGE team is delighted to invite you or your colleagues/members to attend. These events can be booked online at http://www.change.ie/en/Conference-Centre/ or by ringing 1890 CHANGE / 1890 242643 and are free of charge. The programme for the event is attached.

Should you require any more details please do not hesitate to contact Lorraine FitzGerald, RPS on 01 7098016, lorraine.fitzgerald@rpsgroup.com   

Island Ecology - Summer School on Cape Clear

A Summer School on Island Ecology will be running from 7th -11th July 2008 on Cape Clear.   The course is designed as an introduction to ecology and issues such as biodiversity, sustainability and conservations of habitats.  As well as hands on experience in the field and on the seashore there is input from a wide range of experts in birdwatching and whalewatching etc.

Course information and a booking form can be found on the Cape Clear website:

 http://www.oilean-chleire.ie/english/index.htm . 

Invitation to meet Martin Ferris, TD on his visit to West Cork this Thursday

SINN FÉIN'S MARTIN FERRIS TO VISIT  WEST CORK ON THURSDAY

Martin Ferris the Sinn Féin T.D. for North Kerry will be visiting West Cork on Thursday next (17^thApril) during which he will be meeting with groups and organisations, and addressing a public meeting on the Lisbon Treaty at the Bantry Bay Hotel, at 8.00pm that evening.

In Leinster House he is the party's Dáil spokesperson on

Agriculture

Fisheries

Rural Development

Environment

Local Government

Natural Resources

Tourism

Sport

and he has expressed a desire to meet with groups in West Cork, who come under these broad headings. A number of organisations have already been "pencilled in" at the various venues.

 

His schedule is as follows:-

Bandon 11.30am - 2.00pm

Clonakilty 2.30 – 5.00pm

Skibbereen 5.30 - 6.30pm

Bantry Bay Hotel, Bantry 7.45pm

 

Any group or organisation wishiung to meet with him at the local meetings are advised to make prior contact with local party representitives in the towns. These can be obtained by ringing 087-7435064.

As soon as a group makes contact they will be given a specific time to attend so that they can meet with the T.D. on their own to discuss their particular matters.

Later that evening at 8.00pm, Mr. Ferris will address a public meeting at the Bantry Bay Hotel, Bantry on Farming, Fishing and Rural issues as well as the forthcoming Lisbon Treaty referendum. All welcome.

'The Politics of Climate Change' John Gormley speech

The speech delivered by Minister Gormley on “The Politics of Climate Change” yesterday at the final EPA briefing series, as part of its programme of increasing public awareness of climate change issues is available here.

'Change your World, The Challenge' events Cork, Galway, Dublin

CHANGE is holding a series of events in Dublin, Cork and Galway to further develop partnerships and increase awareness of the issues of climate change among a variety of sectors. The sectors invited to these events are: Business (SME & Large), Public Sector, Tourism, Construction, Education, Agriculture & Forestry. These events are aimed at people with responsibility for addressing climate change in their organisation. They are also aimed at those who may be assuming that responsibility in the future.

These events will:

• Fill your information gaps on climate change
• Tell what others are doing to reduce their carbon emissions
• Provide the opportunity to partner with the CHANGE campaign
• Allow you input into how the campaign should develop for your sector

The first round of these events entitled "Change your World, The Challenge" will take place as follows:

• Galway - 23rd April, Radisson Hotel
• Cork - 30th April, Gresham Metropole Hotel
• Dublin - 1st May, Gresham Hotel

Places can be booked online or by ringing 1890 CHANGE / 1890 242643 free of charge.

Cork and County Voice Network

Cork and County Voice Network

Are you interested in singing and would like to hear about and share information on voice work activities in Cork and County? If so a new network has been started up through an email based newsletter. To sign up please contact Caz at  cazjeffreys@gmail.com

Womanagh, a exhibition of ceramic art by Martha Cashman

 
Womanagh, a exhibition of work by Martha Cashman
 
Ceramic artist, Martha Cashman, is opening an exhibition of work in Organico Restaurant, Glengarriff Road, Bantry for the month of April.  The exhibition, entitled Womanagh, finds a suitable home in a food emporium as the ceramic pieces have as their inspiration the seasons, the kitchen and food.
  
Based in Crosshaven, Co. Cork, Martha's most recent work has been in development since leaving Crawford College of Art and Design with a BA in Ceramic Design.  The pieces to go on display are finely crafted kitchen utensils made in a mixed media of paper porcelain, woven wire, carved birch and ash wood.  Taking influences from her rural background and the close associations of her family to the seasons, the earth and food; her father was a market gardener.  This series of simple yet elegant pieces, hung in framed groups or plainly hung from a rusted nail, pay homage to the understanding held by a local community that led "me to appreciate and respect the land we took from daily". The pieces record their teachings and the lost traditional rural style of living.
 
The unusual title, Womanagh, also comes from this tradition of looking to the familiar.  According to Martha, "It's the name of the river that runs at the back of my family home near Youghal in East Cork which had to be crossed to reach the town, so it really plays a part in the whole story behind my work".  Martha, who has received the UCC Purchase prize and Scarva Pottery Prize, also has pieces in the UCC Art Archive Collection, CIT Art Collection and the Crawford Student Collection.  This show will be followed by an international group exhibition in the Medici Museum, San Leo, in Italy from April 29 to May 18, 2008.
 
This exhibition can be viewed from the 30th March to the 30th April, 2008.  The official launch of the show will take place on Sunday April 20th 3-5pm in conjunction with the launch of Slow Food Bantry.  The guest speaker and officiating the opening will be Myrtle Allen of Ballymaloe House and Giana Fergusson of Gubbeen Cheese.
 
For more information contact:
Martha Cashman, Email: cashmanmartha@gmail.com, Tel: 087 2606999

Event:  An exhibition of work entitled Womanagh

Venue: Organico Café Shop Bakery, Glengarriff Rd, Bantry, 027 51391, www.organico.ie

Time/Date:   Mon-Sat, 9.30am-6pm

Feel free to pass on
www.slowfoodbantry.com/SlowFoodPoster.pdf
For more information on this event please see www.slowfoodbantry.com.

Forum for Europe meeting on Lisbon Treaty (for and against)

Forum for Europe meeting

 
Mon. 7 April   7.30 pm

 
Cork City Millennium Hall 

 
Mr Brian Crowley MEP, Fianna Fáil

Ms Kathy Sinnott MEP, Independent

 

 

 

(KathySinnott is running a broad-based campaign - on democracy issues as well as others)

Public Meeting on Saturday: Why we should vote no to the Lisbon Treaty

 

Cork People Before Profit Alliance

 

Public Meeting

Why we should vote no to the Lisbon Treaty

 

Speakers:

Dutch Socialist MP Harry Van Bommel (one of the Leaders of the successful No vote campaign in the Netherlands)

 

Sinead Kennedy: People Before Profit, Editor, www.Voteno.ie Website

 

Saturday April 5^th 2:30 PM

Victoria Hotel, Patrick St. (Upstairs)

Green Business Workshop

Green Business Workshop (Implementing practical cost savings through energy & waste reduction )

 

Most companies are unaware of the true cost of energy and waste to their business, typically 8-10% of turnover.    Undertaking a structured energy & waste minimisation programme will not only save money, but will also improve the environment, your profile and competitiveness. This one-day introductory course is designed to show participants an overview on how to implement simple, low cost ways to reduce their energy and waste/water bills, explained in simple easy to understand language. On completing this course the participant will be able to: Read an energy bill / understand energy usage definitions                                    Understand the new Building Energy Rating (BER)  requirements                                                                          Produce an energy & waste  map of their business                                                                      Be competent in planning and implementing an energy management  programme                                                                                                              Carry out an energy & waste  audit of your company                                                                      Identify and implement low cost & practical cost saving initiatives Personnel without previous knowledge or experience of energy issues, who: Wish to gain an understanding of the elements of energy & waste reduction Need to undertake an energy & waste  management  programme                                              Want to understand the BER directive                                                                                                                     Want to save money on their bottom line Benefits of Energy and waste conservation                                                                                 How energy is measured and how to read bills Background to alternative energy                                                                             Managing your waste                                                                                                         Building energy Rating directive                                                                                                                                                         Implementing an Energy Management Action Programme (MAP) in your company Case Study examples given                                                                                                          Listing of significant information resources How to carry out an energy and waste audit                                                                         Practical – desktop review  of your company both in a mastermind group and 1-to1 with the trainer.

P.J. Henry – Environmental, Health & Safety Trainer & Consultant BACKGROUND P.J Henry specialises in Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety, with 13 years experience in various multi-national companies as an environmental & facilities professional and energy manager, having worked with such companies as Braun, Wyeth and Abbott.   TRAINING METHODOLOGY This classroom based course is highly interactive and uses practical exercises and simulated case studies to reinforce understanding and learning.

Course Details :   Duration : 1 day Course Times 10.00am - 4.30pm Date : 10 April 2008 Location: TBD Further details of this course & all our upcoming training events are on www.biznetcork.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April Markets at Sonairte

 

 

Farmers Markets

April

Sunday 13^th and Sunday 27^th

                10.30 – 4.00

                            Come early to avoid disappointment!

 

- café,  eco - shop   - guided nature walk - live music   - kids observation quiz   - 3€ entry to Organic garden & nature trail -        Children 1€

Talks 13th: Organic Gardening                at Sonairte with Laura Turner   27th: Transition towns See website for more details.

                  Sonairte the Ecology Centre:                                                        New bus service: Parnell St. Dublin – stops at Sonairte.                                        

               Laytown Rd. Laytown, Co. Meath                                                                       see www.matthewscoach.com         

               Take Julianstown/Laytown exit off M1                                                              www.sonairte.org    041 982 7572    

New Irish TV Wildlife Programme April

Hi to all IWDG members

We've just received the following schedule from GMTV Productions Ltd.
who made the Wildlife series due to start on RTE 1 TV tomorrow night.
Most series have a marine component, but of particular interest to IWDG
members will be Prog 2 on April 8th which covers the stunning basking
shark activity IWDG reported on along the Irish South coast in June
2007. This footage was taken from IWDG member Colin Barnes' whale
watching boat the MV Holly Jo, in West Cork inshore waters. If the
previews are anything to go by, this series should be a great showcase
for Irish wildlife.

To IWDG....
Thanks again for all your help in making 'Living the Wildlife'. Just to
let you know that the programme will be starting on RTE 1 on Tuesday
April 1st at 7pm.

Here's a quick run down of the order of programmes.

Prog 1 - April 1st 7pm RTE 1 - Foxes, Corncrakes, Lampreys

Prog 2 - April 8th 7pm RTE 1 - Sharks, Bats

Prog 3 - April 15th 7pm RTE 1 - Seals, Fungi, Saltees

Prog 4 - April 22nd 7pm RTE 1 - Deer, Mussels, Bats 2

Prog 5 - April 29th 7pm RTE 1 - Twites, Eagles

Prog 6 - May 6th 7pm RTE 1 - Otters, Moths, Seashore

Many thanks again; hope you enjoy the series

Gillian Marsh,
GMTV Productions Ltd.

Conference on Herbal Medicine, April 18/19th

Dear Colleagues at CEF,

I would like to inform you of the conference on herbal medicine
organised in Cork by CIT and the IIMH on the 18th-19th April with
these brochure and poster.

I would appreciate if you could display the poster and include this
information in your newsletter and to pass it to your contacts who
might be interested.

Brochure available at http://www.iimh.org/images/Herbal%20Conf%20Brochure.pdf

Best regards

Germain Levieille

Cork Institute of Technology

Slow Food for Kids - April 6th at Hosfords Garden Centre, Bandon

Slow Food for Kids at Hosfords Garden Centre, April 6th 2008

Official OPENING by Denis Cotter, of the Café Paradiso, award winning
chef, author of several much celebrated cookery books & featured in
R.T.E.'s "Guerilla Gourmet" T.V. series.

12.00 noon: Market Opens.

2.00pm: Official Opening by Denis Cotter of the Café
Paradiso, Cork.

2.30pm: Cookery demonstration with Denis Cotter.

3.30pm: Worm Composting Demonstration with Peter FitzGerald.

3.45pm: The Clown entertains.

4.00pm: Denise Bushby will give a strawberry planting
demonstration, strawberry ice lollies, demonstration grow-bag with
cropping strawberry already growing. David & Denise Bushby grow
strawberries and they supply their most delicious strawberries to the
best shops & Restaurants in West Cork.

4.30pm: John Hosford will give a demonstration on growing
vegetables for kids –pumpkins, courgettes + fun packed seeds.

A wide range of stallholders will be attending the market to entice
you with their artisan products.

Location/Directions:

Main Bandon- Clonakilty (N71) Road-8.4km (5.25mls) west of Bandon.

Signposted off the R586 Bandon- Bantry Road from Murragh & Baxters Bridge.

We look forward to seeing you there and we will have details of
future events available on the day.

--
West Cork Slow Food Convivium
Co. Cork
Ireland

Web Site: www.slowfoodireland.com <http://www.slowfoodireland.com>

Gardeners wanted for TV show

WANTED

5 Amateur gardeners for New RTE Gardening Show.

Are you passionate about gardening? Is it your secret ambition to be
a garden designer? Do you dream of winning a Gold Medal at Chelsea?

Vision Independant Productions, the company that brought you 'I WANT
A GARDEN', SHOWHOUSE', 'OPERATION TRANSFORMATION', and 'THE
RESTAURANT' is making a new series to be broadcast in june. They are
looking for amateur gardeners to take part in this television
competition. A passion for gardening is a must, as is creative flair!

Five amateurs will be chosen to take part in the show,by a panel of
gardening experts. Each finalist will be allocated a real garden to
design and must liaise with the client, the owner of the garden, to
come up with a mutually acceptable design. Each finalist will have a
budget of 10,000 euro and will design and build their garden during
the months of April and May-and therefore must be available for
filming during this time.

Designers can enlist the help of friends and family to complete their
task- such as building the perimeters,installing any structures,
creating water features and of course planting the garden-but they
must be amateurs, no professional gardeners or landscapers are
permitted to assist.

After six weeks, each garden will be visited by our panel of experts.
They will assess each design and give their opinions. But the judges
don't choose the winner. On the sixth and final show, we will revisit
all five gardens and recap on what the judges had to say. Then the
designers and their gardens will go up for a public vote and the
viewing audience will decide who wins the accolade of Top Designer and
a gardening prize to the value of 20,000 euro.

If you are a passionate amateur gardener or recent graduate of garden
design and would like to enter this competition. Contact us by email
or phone for further details.

Email:gardenshow08@gmail.com
Tel: 085 849 6440

Sustainable Clonakilty next meeting - Wednesday, 9 April, 8pm Quality Hotel, Clonakilty

Hi everyone

Please note that our next meeting will be one week later than usual.
The Quality Hotel, Clonakilty is very generous in making their
excellent facilities available to us for our larger meetings. Due to
the venue being unavailable to us on our customary first Wednesday of
the month, we have moved to the second Wednesday for this meeting
only.

Time: 8pm
Date: Wednesday 9 April
Place: Quality Hotel
Topic: Tunnel Vision with Marian Crudge

Marian Crudge is an expert West Cork gardener with a huge amount of
knowledge and experience in gardening in polytunnels. If you are
curious about gardening under plastic or would like to pick up
professional hints and tips to make your gardening more productive,
this evening will be a mine of information for you.

Regards

Alison

--
Alison Wickham
Secretary
E: sustainableclon@gmail.com
W: www.sustainableclon.com <http://www.sustainableclon.com>
Ph 023 35 241