Episodes
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The evidence is clear. Climate change is happening. We need to pick up the pace and take further action to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions before it’s too late.
In January this year, the EPA launched Ireland's Climate Change Assessment report (ICCA). The report provides a comprehensive assessment of our understanding of climate change in Ireland and our response to this global crisis - the first report of its kind for Ireland's climate.
The EPA also published a second report on ‘Climate in the Irish Mind’, a national survey on climate attitudes in Ireland.
In this episode, Dr Eimear Cotter, Director of the Office of Evidence and Assessment at the EPA, talks to Sinead about the reports’ key findings and the scale of the challenge ahead for Ireland and how there is still opportunity to reduce the impact of climate change, while also preparing to become climate resilient.
To access Ireland's Climate Change Assessment report from the EPA, click here: Ireland’s Climate Change Assessment (ICCA) | Environmental Protection Agency (epa.ie)
To access the 'Climate in the Irish Mind' report, click here: Climate Change in the Irish Mind | Environmental Protection Agency (epa.ie) -
In this episode of 180 Degrees we zoom in on the growing number of ‘Sustainable Energy Community' groups across the country, who are working towards reducing their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, and making their communities more sustainable.
180 Degrees Season 5 host Sinead Ryan is joined in the studio with Ruth Buggie of SEAI, Ger O'Halloran of the 'Connecting Cabra' Sustainable Energy Committee and Padraig Fallon, of the GAA Green Club initiative. -
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In recent years, we are seeing more community groups coming together to take climate action in their local areas. Tackling everything from recycling and biodiversity, to renewable energy projects, ambitious and important climate work is happening locally, and forming the backbone of what it means to be part of an Irish community.
In this episode of 180 Degrees we will zoom in on the growing number of ‘Sustainable Energy Community' groups across the country, who are working towards reducing their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, and making their communities more sustainable. These groups are not only adapting to more sustainable energy behaviours, but they are also investing in large-scale energy projects that are benefiting all members of the community
Representatives from different community-focused projects will share their experiences of being part of a community project, and the impact this is having on the wider community. -
In this mini-episode, we enter the realm of Smart Grids and Smart Networks: a technological landscape where the smart grid, an advanced electricity network, facilitates seamless communication between electricity generators and users. Picture this: wind turbines engaging in a sophisticated dialogue with everyday appliances, turning your home into a synchronized hub of energy efficiency.
Fergus Sharkey of SEAI returns and is joined by Chloe Kinsella of Cenergise to take us through the energy technology that lies ahead. -
We've heard of ‘smart products’ for our homes and the concept of the ‘Internet of Things’ - where our home appliances and apps can communicate to find the right product or play the ideal music in our living rooms – but are we soon going to have the same options for our home energy use?
Enter the realm of Smart Grids and Smart Networks: a technological landscape where the smart grid, an advanced electricity network, facilitates seamless communication between electricity generators and users. This intricate web ensures optimal balance in meeting electricity demands for household activities like washing, cleaning, charging, and beyond. Picture this: wind turbines engaging in a sophisticated dialogue with everyday appliances, turning your home into a synchronized hub of energy efficiency.
Tune in to find out more! -
In this episode we discuss how SEAI is supporting businesses to decarbonise and save on energy costs with Fergus Sharkey of SEAI and Tina Dowling, CEO at the Watershed, home of sport and Leisure in Kilkenny. The Watershed, who provide a host of indoor and outdoor sporting facilities and swimming, were finalists in the SME category at the SEAI Energy Awards. Tina discusses how they got started on their energy journey and more importantly, why.
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Data centres are adding more demand onto Ireland’s electrical grid, but can our grid keep up with the scale of the demand, or do we need to add more capacity?
In this mini-episode we discuss how increased demand on our data centres impacts Ireland's climate targets. Can we reach our 2030 goals while increasing capacity, and what does that mean for Ireland’s energy future. -
Saving to the ‘cloud’ frees up storage on our devices, but despite the name, our data doesn’t disappear into the sky, it’s stored in a data centre.
Data centres are adding more demand onto Ireland’s electrical grid, but can our grid keep up with the scale of the demand, or do we need to add more capacity?
In this episode we discuss how increased demand on our data centres impacts our Climate Action plan. Can we reach our 2030 goals while increasing capacity, and what does that mean for Ireland’s energy future.
We have our Climate Action Plan for Ireland, which is a roadmap that is updated every year, for taking the right actions to halve Ireland's emissions by 2030 – can the growth of more Data Centres fit into these plans for Ireland’s climate? -
One of the oldest methods of heating buildings, District Heating has played a key role in making cities like Denmark and Copenhagen some of the most sustainable in the world, while also lowering costs for customers. District heating currently delivers 9% of Europe's total heating demands.
So how does it work and how can it be developed in Ireland?
In this episode we talk about the plans to develop District Heating projects across Ireland’s towns and cities while also looking at some examples of where it is working. -
Renewable energy projects are key to helping Ireland reach net-zero.
In this episode, we explore how we can make the most of our natural resources, like wind, sea and sun to create our own energy in Ireland. Discover how we can reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuels and learn about the government's investments in this critical transition. -
Renewable energy projects are key to helping Ireland reach net-zero. In this episode, we explore how we can make the most of our natural resources, like wind, sea and sun to create our own energy in Ireland. Discover how we can reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuels and learn about the government's investments in this critical transition. Join the discussion on how we can rally citizens, communities, and industry to lead the way on the path to achieving a net-zero future.
SEAI’s Director of Policy Research and Policy Insights, Margie McCarthy and Dr. Lee Carroll of SEAI speak with Sinead Ryan about the renewable energy opportunities in Ireland. -
Transport in Ireland - a conversation for the ages!
In this mini-episode, join Sinead Ryan and Fergus Sharkey of SEAI who together delve deep into the data surrounding our transportation habits and explore the solutions that will propel us toward a more sustainable, public and zero-carbon transportation system. -
Transport in Ireland - a conversation for the ages!
It’s not just about our cars anymore; it’s about reimagining how we utilise trams, trains, buses and even bicycles on our country’s roads.
We simply cannot afford to be as car dependent anymore.
To reshape our transportation landscape, reduce emissions and tackle traffic
problems, we need reliable and accessible public transport options.
In this episode, we delve deep into the data surrounding our transportation habits. We unpack the design elements and infrastructure that have driven our car-centric culture and explore the solutions that will propel us toward a more sustainable, public and zero-carbon transportation system. -
The latest Energy in Ireland report shows that, our CO2 emissions are going up, again! SEAI's Director of Research and Policy Insights Margie McCarthy and Dr. Lee Carroll, Programme Manager for SEAI's Energy Statistics team, chat about Ireland’s energy and carbon emissions trends with Sinead Ryan.
You can learn more about Energy in Ireland by visiting our website. -
The annual Energy in Ireland report profiles trends in the supply and demand of energy and energy related CO2 emissions in 2022 and 2023.
Around 45% of Ireland’s energy use is for direct personal consumption, primarily in our homes and in our cars. So, it is absolutely essential that we all become more energy efficient to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions; to insulate ourselves from high energy prices; and to reduce the chance of outages or fuel shortages. We also need systemic change, beyond what individuals can do, to address the current energy and climate crises.
In this episode, SEAI's Director of Research and Policy Insights Margie McCarthy and Dr. Lee Carroll, Programme Manager for SEAI's Energy Statistics team, chat to our host, Sinead Ryan, about the everyday choices that people make have a major role to play.
You can learn more about Energy in Ireland by visiting our website. -
Sinead Ryan and Fergus Sharkey of SEAI answer your Electric Vehicle (EV) questions in this third mini-episode of 180 Degrees.
This mini-episode covers:
🚗 SEAI's grant options for buying an EV
🚗 The different types of EVs
🚗 Ireland's second-hand EV market
and more!
To listen back to the full episode on EVs, visit www.seai.ie/podcast or download from wherever you get your podcasts. -
For something so silent, Electric Vehicles sure are making a lot of noise on the car market. EVs, are heralded as the successor to fossil-fuel based internal combustion engine cars (ICEs) with one in five new passenger vehicles sold in Ireland last year being electric.
In this episode, we dig deep and get down to the real truths about EVs– how affordable are they in Ireland right now? What options do you have when it comes to owning or leasing an EV? What EV legislation is coming down the road in the next few years? Are we approaching the tipping point for EV adoption in Ireland?
All this and more in Episode 3 of 180 Degrees. -
Sinead Ryan and Brian McIntyre answer your top questions on all things Heat Pumps, in under 5 minutes! This 180 Degrees Podcast mini-episode covers the need-to-know on how to check if your home is 'Heat Pump Ready', the space required for a Heat Pump to be installed, the different types of Heat Pumps available and more. To listen back to the full episode and gain more information on Heat Pumps, visit www.seai.ie/podcast or download from wherever you get your podcasts.
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