Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 April 2025
338. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his views on the public and private financial resources required and available to support his Department’s plans to meet Ireland’s climate targets by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19092/25]
View answerThe public sector continues to demonstrate climate action leadership through strategic initiatives and governance frameworks, with public sector emissions decreasing by 2.7% in 2023 compared to 2022. The Public Sector Climate Action Plan for 2025 (CAP25) was recently published by the government, which strengthens requirements around green public procurement, building retrofitting, and sustainable operations. Key targets include reducing GHG emissions by 51% and improving energy efficiency by 50% by 2030, with buildings accounting for 45-50% of the sector's energy consumption and transport representing 28% of emissions.
Recently acquired data from the SEAI has indicated that my department’s offices have already achieved its 2030 energy targets; in 2024 our energy consumption is 48.2% of baseline year (2016-2018), beating our 2030 target of 50% by 1.8%, 5 years ahead of plan. Our CO2 emissions continue to remain on target to meet our 2030 goal, with 2024 emissions at 450,586 kgCO2 vs. goal of 518,058 kgCO2.
My department are currently updating our climate action roadmap, taking into consideration our current performance, and gap to 2030 targets. The department’s roadmap continues to align with both CAP25 and the Programme for Government, with several projects in progress to continue to improve energy and emissions performances in all our buildings. The Department continues to avail of funding from its budget and any other exchequer funding that is made available to all public bodies, including EU funding.
