News
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Events
Ashden Awards Conference 2011: Clean energy to power lives
15th June 2011
Join senior executives from business, NGOs and academia at the 2011 Ashden Awards Conference to hear about and discuss innovative ideas and practical solutions offered by this year’s Ashden Awards finalists.
The Green Economy - 2nd Annual Business and Leadership Briefing
31st May 2010
A Business and Leadership Briefing
Ireland can be a world leader in green enterprise and technology in the low-carbon future, generating recovery and sustainable jobs. This will take vision, investment and - most of all - leadership. At the second annual Business & Leadership Green Economy briefing on May 31 2011, international thought leaders in this space will again be brought together.
Skoll Wolrd Forum 2011
30th March - 1st April 2011
The Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship is the premier, international platform for accelerating entrepreneurial approaches and innovative solutions to the world's most pressing social issues.
EVPA 6th Annual Conference
16th & 17th November 2010, Luxembourg
EVPA 6th Annual Conference
A new era for venture philanthropy: Where grant-making and social investment converge
Launch of 2010 Carbon Disclosure Project Report Ireland, Trinity College Dublin
19th October 2010
The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) Ireland report 2010 was launched at an event in Trinity College Dublin on 19th October 2010. The report was launched by Eamon Ryan, TD, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and keynote speaker at the event was Former Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Yvo de Boer.
Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Awards 2010
1st October 2010
The 2010 Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Award winners were announced as a reception in Dublin on Friday, 1st October. where a call went out to the private and public sectors to step up to the plate to provide greater support for individuals who are developing new, bid ideas to address a wide variety of social and environmental challenges we face in our country today and also to those individuals who are looking for funding support to show more business acumen. Among the attendance was guest-of-honour Tim Smit, CEO and Founder of the Eden Project, entrepreneur and businessman Denis O'Brien and Jim Barry, CEO, NTR plc. The NTR Foundation is the flagship sponsor of the Social Entrepreneurs Ireland's Awards Programme.
"Deal or No Deal?" International Climate Change Event, St James's Palace, London
14th July 2010
Prince of Wales Corporate Leaders’ Group on Climate Change
Signatories and partners of the Copenhagen Communique on Climate Change were amongst those taking part in this exclusive international climate change event in St.James’s Palace, London on 14th July. The event entitled “Deal or No Deal?” was organised by the University of Canbridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership and hosted by the Prince of Wales Corporate Leaders’ Group on Climate Change.
The Ashden Awards Imperial College Conference, London
30th June 2010 The Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy is the world's leading green energy prize. Each year the awards ceremony showcases the work of sustainable energy pioneers to help ensure that their local solutions to tackling climate change will be spread more widely. This year's international finalists presented their inspirational work from Latin America, Africa and Asia at the Ashden Award's Conference in the National Geographic Society, London on 30th June.
Forum on Philanthropy Launch, Dublin
21st June 2010
On 21st June 2010 Pat Carey, Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs launched a new government initiative to support philanthropy in Ireland. The potential for significant growth of the Irish Philanthropic sector, the need for a change of attitude to philanthropy and the need for more Irish role models to encourage philanthropic activity in Irish society, were some of the issues discussed at this event.
The Green Economy – Sustainable Development, Beyond Rhetoric
14th May 2010
A Business and Leadership Conference.
On May 14th, Ireland’s business leaders gathered to hear sustainability experts discuss the future of business, finance and investment within the new environmental reality of a ‘green economy,’ and looked at how technology would be a key enabler in a more sustainable, prosperous future for all.
Ray Murphy Lecture 2010, Dublin
13th May 2010
Supported by The Atlantic Philanthropies and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the ten-year Ray Murphy Lecture Series aims to provide a fitting memorial to one of the pioneers of Irish philanthropy, Ray Murphy. It also aims to encourage philanthropic giving in Ireland through exposure to current trends in international philanthropy and to help position Ireland as a centre of philanthropic excellence. The NTR Foundation was delighted to attend the third Ray Murphy lecture on 13th May 2010. This year’s lecture, delivered by former President of Ireland Mary Robinson, was entitled The Role of Philanthropy in Tomorrow’s Ireland.
Launch of the new NTR Foundation, New York
4th March 2010
NEW YORK (4th March 2010) - NTR plc, the international renewable energy group and the NTR Foundation (www.ntr-foundation.org), hosted a gathering of senior U.S. business leaders, financiers and policy advisors to discuss the issue of climate change. President Bill Clinton, founder of the William J. Clinton Foundation and 42nd President of the United States, delivered the keynote address: “Embracing Our Common Humanity.”
The event marked the official launch of the NTR Foundation, which has been established to make a measurable societal impact in the areas of climate change, resource sustainability and security of energy supply.
COP15, UN Climate Change Conference, Copenhagen
7th December-19th December 2009
The 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference, commonly known as the Copenhagen Summit, was held at the Bella Center in Copenhagen, Denmark, between 7 December and 18 December.
European Venture Philanthropy Association, Annual Conference 2009, Amsterdam
17th & 18th Nov 2009
European Venture Philanthropy Association, Annual Conference 2009, Amsterdam
Resources
Climate Change Press
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership 30th June 2011 REEP allocates €3 million to to 21 low-carbon energy projects
Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy 16th June 2011 International Winners Announced
SiliconRepublic.com 26th January 2011 Greening Your Supply Chain
MerrionStreet.ie 23rd December 2010 Climate Change Bill Published
Irish Times 16th December 2010 Coalition agrees Climate Change Bill
Irish Times 13th December 2010 Cancun seen as interim step toward global treaty
UNFCCC 11th December 2010 UN climate change conference in Cancun delivers balanced package of decisions, restores faith in multilateral process
Irish Times 7th December 2010 Ireland moves up index of climate change performance
UNFCCC 4th December 2010 Draft decisions agreed at UN Climate Change Conference in Cancun bode well for strong outcome of Mexico meeting.
UNFCCC 29th November 2010 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Cancun kicks off with calls for commitment and compromise
Environment News Service 12th November 2010 G-20 Leaders Progress Toward Fossil Fuel Subsidy Phase-Out
International Energy Agency, World Energy Outlook 9th November 2010 Recent policy moves a start, but much stronger action is needed to accelerate the transformation of the global energy system, says the IEA's latest World Energy Outlook
United Nations Press Release 5th November 2010 Secretary-General Says Climate Change Financing Advisory Group presents 'fiscally feasible, politically viable' options for raising $100 billion annually by 2020
Irish Independent 30th October 2010 Green economy only way to emerge from recession, says commissioner
European Commission Climate Action 27th October 2010 Roadmap for a low carbon economy by 2050
Yvo De Boer on RTE.ie Morning Ireland 19th October 2010 Carbon Disclosure Report on Ireland published
Harvard Business Review 5th October 2010 The Most Powerful Green NGO You've Never Heard Of
Irish Sunday Tribune 26th September 2010 Robinson's crusade: Former president on 'climate justice' mission.
Social Entrepreneurship Press
Sunday Business Post 12th June 2011 Taking a risk for change - Social Entrepreneurs Ireland aims to empower people who come up with new ideas to tackle social issues
Irish Independent 9th June 2011 2011 Social Entrepreneurs Ireland finalists
Financial Times 26th May 2011 Saving the world on a shoe string
Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources 17th May 2011 Social Enterprise has capacity to create 25000 new jobs over 5 years
Useful Websites
Climate Change, Resource Sustainability and Security of Energy Supply
International Institute for Environment and Development www.iied.org
Grantham Institute for Climate Change: www3.imperial.ac.uk/climatechange
The Climate Group: www.theclimategroup.org
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: www.ipcc.ch
European Commission Climate Action ec.europa.eu/dgs/clima/mission/
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland www.seai.ie
Lighting Africa www.lightingafrica.org
Philanthropy
Council on Foundations, USA www.cof.org
European Venture Philanthropy Association: www.evpa.eu.com
Philanthropy Ireland: www.philanthropy.ie
Reading Material
Climate Change, Resource Sustainability and Security of Energy Supply
IIED, Powering change in low-income energy markets Click here to download PDF
UNFCCC, Climate Change: Impacts, Vulnerabilities and Adaptation in Developing Countries Click here to download PDF
World Resources Institute, Power, Responsibility and Accountability, Re-thinking the legitimacy of institutions for climate finance Click here to download PDF
World Energy Outlook 2010 Key Graphs IEA World Energy Ourlook Click here to download PDF
World Energy Outlook 2010 Factsheet IEA World Energy Outlook Click here to download PDF
Report of the Secretary General's High-Level Advisory Group on Climate Change Financing United Nations AGF Click here to download PDF
Accelerating Climate Technologies: Innovative Market Strategies to Overcome Barriers to Scale-Up Clean Energy Group Click here to download PDF
Roadmap 2050, A practical guide to a prosperous low carbon Europe: Volume 1 Technical and Economic Analysis The European Climate Foundation Click here to download PDF
Roadmap 2050, A practical guide to a prosperous low carbon Europe: Volume 2 Policy Recommendations The European Climate Foundation Click here to download PDF
SMART 2020: Enabling the low carbon economy in the information age The Climate Group Click here to downloag PDF
The Carbon Management Strategic Priority: Leading firms reap cost savings, risk mitigation and revenue rewards The Carbon Disclosure Project Click here to download PDF
Power to our neighbourhoods: towards integrated local sustainable energy solutions, Learning from Success A report by CAG Consultants for the Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy 2010 Click here to download PDF
IEA World Energy Outlook 2009. Click here to download PDF
Framework for Climate Change Bill 2010, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Click here to download PDF
Delivering a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland - The Energy Policy Framework 2007-2010. Click here to download PDF
Philanthropy
Establishing a Venture Philanthropy Organisation in Europe: A practical Guide, 2nd Edition European Venture Philanthropy Association Click here to download PDF
Strategies for Foundations: When, why and how to use venture philanthropy European Venture Philanthropy Association Click here to download PDF
Distance Learning, Managing International Investments European Venture Philanthropy Association Click here to download PDF
Philanthropy in the Republic of Ireland: An assessment of the current state and future potential of philanthropic giving in the Republic of Ireland. McKinsey & Company Global Philanthropy Initiative Click here to download PDF
Philanthropy Ireland Guide to Effective Giving Click here to download PDF
Developing the Green Economy in Ireland, Report of the high-level group on Green Enterprise, November 2009. Click here to download PDF
What is Venture Philanthropy? Useful definitions from the European Venture Philanthropy Association.Click here to download PDF
Resources
Council on Foundations, USA
Council on Foundations www.cof.org
The Council on Foundations is a Washington, DC, area-based nonprofit membership association of some 2,100 grantmaking foundations and corporations. The assets of Council members total more than $282 billion. As the voice of philanthropy, the Council works to create an environment in which the movement can grow and thrive, and to provide Council members with the products and services they need to do their best work.
As a leader in philanthropy, the Council on Foundations strives to increase the effectiveness, stewardship, and accountability of the philanthropic sector, while providing their members with the services and support they need for success.
As a member of The Council on Foundations in the United States, the NTR Foundation enjoys access to an association of approximately 2,000 grantmaking associations and corporations, as well as to legal and professional development expertise.
Carbon Disclosure Project
Carbon Disclosure Project: www.carbondisclosureproject.net
The Carbon Disclosure Project is an independent not-for-profit organisation that launched in 2000 to collect and distribute high quality information that motivates investors, corporations and governments to take action to prevent dangerous climate change. Thousands of organisations from across the world's major economies measure and disclose their green house gas emissions and climate change strategies through CDP. CDP puts this information at the heart of financial and policy decision making.
The NTR Foundation are principle sponsors of the Carbon Disclosure Ireland Report for the second year in 2011. Last year's report concluded that the number and quality of responses to the 2010 questionnaire showed that climate change issues are now firmly established on Irish Boardroom Agendas. In 2010 33 Irish companies participated and it is anticipated that this number will increase in 2011.
Questionnaires must be completed by 31st May 2011 and the report will be launched later in the year.
To download the 2011 Carbon Disclosure Project Ireland Questionnaire please click here
Social Entrepreneurs Ireland
Social Entrepreneurs Ireland: www.socialentrepreneurs.ie Social Entrepreneurs Ireland identifies, invests in and supports social entrepreneurs and the organisations they launch. They also work to promote social entrepreneurship at local, regional and national level throughout the island of Ireland.
NTR Foundation is a flagship sponor of Social Entrepreneur's Ireland's Annual Awards Ceremony and awardees, as part of a three year partnership to inject practical support for those people who are prepared to take risk for social change. The annual awards ceremony showcases the work of Ireland's leading social entrepreneurs and encourages others to become part of the growing social entrepreneurship movement. Social Entrepreneurs Ireland's mission compliments NTR's entrepreneurial culture, which has been the bedrock of its significant growth and success across our renewable energy and recycling markets.
Learn more about how the NTR Foundation works with Social Entrepreneurs Ireland
European Venture Philanthropy Association
European Venture Philanthropy Association: www.evpa.eu.com
As a member of this unique association of venture philanthropy funds in Europe, the NTR Foundation enjoys being part of a pan-European network committed to promoting high engagement philanthropy in Europe.
The EVPA annual conference is the highlight of the year in the European venture philanthropy sector. Experts, funders and other social investors gather to network and to discuss the development of venture philanthropy in Europe. The NTR Foundation looks forward to being a part of this special event again this year. The 2010 Annual Conference was held in Luxembourg and keynote speakers included Sir Ronald Cohen, Chairman of Bridges Ventures and Portland Trust and Jacqueline Novogratz, Founder and CEO of Acumen Fund.
Learn more about Venture Philanthropy here
Click here to read more about the EVPA 2010 Annual Conference
Irish Charities Tax Reform Group
Irish Charities Tax Reform Group
Irish Charities Tax Reform Group www.charitytaxreform.com
Irish Charities Tax Reform Group (ICTRG) is a membership organisation of charities, focused on creating a policy climate in which philanthropy can thrive - through a combination of taxation and regulatory reform.
Since it was formed in 1991, the ICTRG have organised a number of campaigns to optimise tax-effective giving, reduce the tax burden on the sector, and ensure regulation is appropriate to the needs of Irish charities.
The ICTRG also plays an active role on behlaf of charities in relation to regulation. ICTRG has been involved at all stages of the development of the Charites Act 2009 and is now firmly focused on implementation issues.
As a member of the ICTRG, the NTR Foundation joins with other key players from the Irish charity sector, government, key political party spokespersons and the media to highlight issues of importance to charities in the area of VAT, tax and regulatory reform.
Philanthropy Ireland
Philanthropy Ireland: www.philanthropy.ie
The NTR Foundation is a member of Philanthropy Ireland, the association of independent Philanthropic Organisations in Ireland. The mission of Philanthropy Ireland is to contribute to and inspire an effective and robust philanthropic sector in Ireland. They aim to achieve this by promoting philanthropy, advocating for an encouraging environment for giving and providing an effective network and quality services to members and those with an interest in philanthropy. Philanthropy Ireland hopes that this will result in a significant increase in private philanthropy in Ireland, which delivers benefits across many areas of Irish society and overseas.
Facts & Figures
Climate Change
North Pole
Summer Arctic Sea Ice Decline – Since 1979, more than 20% of the Polar Ice Cap has melted away in response to increased surface air and ocean temperatures. Reference: NASA & Natural Resources Defense Council
Glaciers
Glaciers, the largest freshwater source in the world, are shrinking rapidly. Glacier national park in Montana, USA, went from 150 to 27 glaciers over the last century.
Energy Efficiency In Buildings
Buildings generate 80% of carbon emissions in New York City, which is similar to many other major cities around the world. Reference: www.edf.org (Environmental Defence Fund)
Renewable Energy
European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) 2009
Latest figures from the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) indicated that renewable energy technologies accounted for 61% of new power generation capacity in Europe in 2009.
Access to Electricity
Over 1.6 billion people in the world lack access to electricity. The NTR Foundation aims to include in its programme of activities, the roll-out of clean energy technologies in the developing world. Reference: R.K Pachauri , chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Resource Sustainability
South American Rainforests
Each year, approximately 32 million acres of tropical forests are lost to deforestation – an area equivalent to the size of Greece.
Water Shortages
Twenty-five Sub-Saharan countries will be water stressed by 2025, at which point nearly 50% of Africa’s predicted population of 1.45 billion will face water stress or scarcity. Reference: www.weforum.org (PDF pg.48) 200 million Indian people do not have access to clean drinking water Worldwide 1.1 billion people live without clean drinking water.
Philanthropy
47% of respondents in a recent survey agreed or strongly agreed that global philanthropy needs to allocate more of its resources to addressing climate change. Reference: Brunswick Research, Business Leaders’ Attitudes Towards Climate Change, February 2010.