Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 October 2025
26. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the efforts being made to reduce carbon emissions within the public sector workforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53926/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe public sector can and must play an important leadership role in the broader economy and nation-wide transition required to achieve our climate targets, be that in decarbonisation of building stock, transport fleet, waste or greener working practices.
In order to ensure that the public sector is an exemplar in climate action, the Public Sector Climate Action Mandate applies to all public bodies covered by the Climate Action Plan (CAP) decarbonisation targets, with the exception of local authorities, commercial semi State bodies, and schools.
The Mandate sets out climate action objectives that are required to be addressed by the public sector, covering public sector targets; people and the workforce; ways of working; and buildings and vehicles. Through this comprehensive set of requirements, climate action and best practice is embedded across the public service.
In terms of the workforce, the Mandate requires that Green teams are established in each organisation. Reporting to senior management, these teams drive forward green and sustainable practices across the organisation. Climate and Sustainability Champions are also in place at senior management level, tasked with advocating for climate action at the highest levels of the organisation.
Climate Action and Sustainability training is also a requirement across the workforce and is to be integrated into Learning and Development strategies.
The Mandate also contains a set of requirements based around making the business-as-usual ways of working of the public sector as climate friendly as possible. These cover areas such as green public procurement, dealing with food waste, use of ICT equipment and paper, water usage, as well as cessation of single-use items.
Among Government Departments, there is also a Climate Action Unit Network of officials. This network focuses on building capacity, facilitating learning and best practice, and exploring organisational or operational issues in delivery of climate action.
Through the above measures, the Government and public sector are fully committed to ensuring the public sector and workforce are doing all they can to deliver on our ambitious climate targets.
