The Energy Performance in Buildings Directive requires all Member States of the European Union to develop a Long-Term Renovation Strategy for a highly energy-efficient and decarbonised building stock.
Ireland’s Long-Term Renovation Strategy was developed based on the polices, measures and actions set out in the Climate Action Plan (published in 2019) and the National Energy and Climate Plan (published in 2020). It was submitted to the European Commission in October 2020. There is a range of steps set out in the Long-Term Renovation Strategy that are being taken to progress the retrofit of the building stock. I would highlight, in particular, the significant increase in resourcing provided to SEAI and the increased budget for support schemes across the residential, commercial and public sectors.
The Long-Term Renovation Strategy does not include all the policies and measures for the sector that will be necessary to meet the commitments set out in the Programme for Government to an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions in the period to 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050. The additional policies and measures will be considered as part of the next Climate Action Plan which is currently under development.
A public consultation on the Long-Term Renovation Strategy was held from October to December 2020. A total of 22 submissions were received which are helping to inform the development of the next Climate Action Plan and future revisions of the Long-Term Renovation Strategy.
