EPA’s Annual Report for 2007 described the year as a “watershed for climate change” in Ireland.

This is something which is reflected in the increased activity of the organisation and rising levels of awareness of the issues involved, the report said.

“However, in order to make environmental protection and sustainable development issues take centre stage, more needs to be done,” according to Dr Mary Kelly, the EPA’s director general.

Dr Kelly explained that in order to achieve the EPA’s environmental vision – which would entail clean air, protected water resources and sustainable use of resources – “full integration of environment into other economic and social policy areas and rigorous enforcement of environmental legislation” is needed.

One of the landmark achievements of the organisation this year, according to the report, is the publication of its 2020 Vision strategy.

It outlined plans to protect the country’s water resources, adapt to climate change and highlight the need for integration and enforcement of environmental policy.

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