Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 November 2025
192. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the progress in emission reduction targets in areas that are the responsibility of his Department; which measures are particularly successful and which measures are underperforming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67043/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government is committed to delivering measures and actions to achieve Ireland’s national and EU targets and ultimately climate neutrality by 2050.
The Environmental Protection Agency’s recent reporting confirms that Ireland’s overall GHG emissions reduced for a third consecutive year. Ireland’s GHG emissions are now at their lowest level in 35 years.
Under the Climate Action Plan 2025 (CAP), and previous CAPs, there is an extensive programme of policies and measures that aim to achieve significant progress towards emission reductions. Measures and targets include:
• Renewables-led energy transformation, with a target of 80% of electricity demand to be met by renewable energy sources and plans to deliver 9GW of onshore wind, 8 GW of solar, and 5 GW of offshore wind.
• Ireland currently has 7.7 GW of renewable generation capacity. New records were broken in 2025 as Ireland reached 7 GW of renewable generation, 5 GW of wind generation, and 2 GW of solar PV generation for the first time. Renewables provided 41.1% of our electricity demand in 2024.
• Extensive grid investment overseen by the CRU, projected at up to €18 billion for the 2026-2030 period will support the renewables led energy transformation.
• DCEE funded business supports, administered by the SEAI, provided grant support of over €40 million to over 3000 businesses during 2024 significantly supporting energy cost and emission reduction.
• From 2019 to September 2025, SEAI schemes provided over €1.5 billion in support to homeowners for 228,350 home energy upgrades, including 30,600 fully-funded upgrades for households at risk of energy poverty under the Warmer Homes Scheme and 17,100 heat pump installations.
• The Heat and Built Environment Taskforce is working to deliver on the decarbonisation of Ireland’s buildings through specialised Working Groups.
• Decarbonised Electricity System Study (DESS) is being conducted to provide Government with an evidence-based pathway for decarbonising the Irish electricity system post-2030.
• Strengthened governance arrangements for the CAP Programme Board.
