Environmental Protection Agency, Ireland

The Irish Environmental Protection Agency is at the front line of environmental protection and policing. The main responsibilities of the EPA include:

• Environmental licensing;
• Enforcement of environmental law;
• Environmental planning, education and guidance;
• Monitoring, analysing and reporting on the environment;
• Regulating Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions;
• Environmental research development;
• Strategic environmental assessment;
• Waste management;
• Radiological protection.

Among its tasks the EPA aims to be a leader in the climate debate in Ireland, and provide up-to-date scientific information to a range of audiences, from policymakers to the general public through its website and social media accounts. As part of its programme of increasing public awareness on climate change issues, the EPA hosts a number of “Climate Change Lectures”. The speakers are international experts, who discuss key aspects of climate change - including the basic science, predictions, impacts and options for actions to deal with this global challenge. Furthermore, the EPA carries out relevant and up to date studies on climate change in Ireland. The EPA also provides support for and on behalf of the Climate Change Advisory Council.