Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2026
180. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment in view of the EPA's 2025 projection that Ireland is likely to miss its 2030 emission reduction targets, the specific, accelerated measures his Department is implementing in 2026 to bridge the gap between projected emissions and the legally binding 51% reduction target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14425/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs set out in the Programme for Government, this Government is committed to delivering on Ireland’s responsibility to address the climate crisis. Ireland now has the lowest level of GHG emissions in 35 years, despite the concurrent unprecedented demographic and economic growth including an increase of approximately 1.5 million people, more than one million new homes and over one million extra vehicles on our roads. Specifically:-
• My Department is continuing to accelerate the delivery of key policy measures. We are making significant strides toward our target of 80% renewable energy by 2030, hitting important milestones of 5GW of installed onshore wind capacity and over 2GW of installed solar capacity.
• We are also prioritising the development of offshore wind capacity, with myself and the Taoiseach recently announcing the creation of the establishment of an Offshore Wind Energy Clearing House to address identified impediments to the timely delivery of a vibrant offshore renewable energy sector.
• The development of the National DMAP is currently on track with extensive stakeholder consultation planned through 2026-2027. The ORESS Tonn Nua offshore wind auction was successfully concluded last November, and this project will deliver enough clean electricity to power one million homes. The maritime area consent process will complete for this site this year.
• This Government has approved an unprecedented investment of €18.9 billion in Grid for the period 2026 – 2030 which is fundamental to the electrification of homes, businesses and transport.
• In January this year I announced an unprecedented package of new and enhanced grants for homeowners across the country who are looking to benefit from home energy upgrades under the National Residential Retrofit Plan.
The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) most recent emissions reporting (May 2025) confirms that Ireland has recorded overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions for a third consecutive year, with a decrease of 6.8% in 2023 followed by a further 2% reduction in 2024.
The latest EPA projections report also highlights that meeting Ireland's overall 2030 target will be challenging but it is worth noting, however, that the EPA's projections are updated annually in light of delivery progress and emerging data. As an example of the dynamic nature of these projections, the EPA's projected exceedance of the first carbon budget (2020-2025) has reduced significantly over the last two years. The report released in 2023 projected a significant exceedance of between 12% and 15% under the WAM and WEM scenarios respectively. In contrast, their latest report released in 2025 projected a marginal exceedance of the first carbon budget of between 2.7% and 4%, showing the effect of our efforts in the interim period.
The definitive assessment of Ireland's performance against the 2030 target will be made when the EPA produces its emissions inventory following the conclusion of the second carbon budget period in 2031.
In line with our Programme for Government commitment, enhanced implementation governance arrangements to drive and support accelerated climate action delivery have been put in place over 2025 to streamline structures, ensure key strategic projects are supported and that corrective action is taken quickly where delivery is at risk.
The Climate Action Delivery Board (CADB), which I now chair, and the Climate Action Programme Board (CAPPB) now provide co-ordinated oversight and strategic direction on the delivery of the Climate Action Plan measures and actions and provide oversight and support to delivery taskforces in delivering their work programmes throughout 2026. It is through these structures we will continue to focus on closing the gap to reach our 2030 targets and identify further measures, actions and interventions.
