Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 April 2026
152. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the progress made to date on key focus areas and actions for 2025 under the Climate Action Plan 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27658/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government is committed to delivering on Ireland’s responsibility to address the climate crisis and work remains ongoing across Government Departments to carry out climate mitigation efforts every day. The rollout of retrofitting, renewable energy deployment, and more affordable electric vehicles continues at pace.
Ireland now has the lowest level of GHG emissions in 35 years which is notable given concurrent 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. The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) most recent emissions reporting 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.
We are making significant strides toward our target of 80% renewable energy by 2030, having now reached the major milestone of 8GW onshore renewable electricity generation. We are now prioritising the development of our offshore wind capacity. We have doubled our wind energy capacity over the past 10 years, and in February wind energy provided a record 50% of our electricity. The Government has also 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. The 2025 ZEVI target for electrical vehicle sales of 195,000 was surpassed in October 2025, with sales now at 212,000. I have recently 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.
To track implementation of Climate Action Plans (CAP), the Department of the Taoiseach works with the implementing Departments to publish quarterly progress reports. Details on every action due in that quarter is published as an Appendix to each report. Legacy actions from previous CAPs are also included.
These are all available on the gov.ie website under www.gov.ie/en/department-of-the-taoiseach/publications/climate-action-plan-progress-reports/#climate-action-plan-2023
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to strengthen the delivery structures to deliver the Climate Action Plan through the Climate Action Delivery Board.
As part of governance arrangements I chair the Climate Action Delivery Board. This reflects the Government’s wider commitment to ensuring that governance structures evolve in line with the move into the implementation and delivery phase of the climate action agenda.
The Programme for Government also resolved to enhance and improve governance structures to deliver Climate Action. In line with this, and to provide enhanced and co-ordinated oversight and strategic direction on the delivery of the Climate Action Plan, the Climate Action Plan Programme Board (CAPPB) was established. The Programme Board is made up of climate Delivery Taskforces from across sectors to bring an overall cohesion and alignment to climate action.
Of the 13 actions under my Department which were due to be reported in Q4 2025, 3 were completed by Q4 with 10 remaining outstanding. Similarly, of the 24 legacy actions included for my Department in the Q4 Progress Report, 1 was completed by Q4 2025. All updates will be included in further progress reports which will be compiled and published by the Department of the Taoiseach following Government consideration and approval.
