THE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN

Sector by Sector

Changing our Electricity System

We will achieve a reduction in emissions of between 60 and 80%. We will do this through:

Increasing the proportion of renewable energy sources, like wave and solar, to 80% of our energy mix by 2030

Reaching an increased target of 5 Gigawatts of offshore wind energy which will enable us to electrify other sectors like heat and transport and reduce emissions in these sectors also

Enhancing supports for householders and introduce a new small-scale generator scheme for farmers, businesses and communities to generate their own electricity and feed this back into the grid

Delivering new transmission grid connections and interconnectors with Britain and the rest of Europe –vital for exporting renewably-generated electricity.

Investing in our Transport Services

We will achieve a reduction of up to 50% in emissions from the transport sector. We will do this through:

Funding to provide the infrastructure needed to enable half a million more daily journeys by walking, cycling or public transport by 2030

Accelerating the transition to electric vehicles with over 940,000 EVs on Irish roads by 2030, supported by a robust charging network

Continuing the electrification of our public transport network including railways and buses and exploring the use of hydrogen as a fuel for transport

Ensuring that almost all new State vehicles are electric from 2023 onwards.

Upgrading and retrofitting our Buildings

We will achieve a reduction of between 44% and 56% in emissions from lighting and heating our buildings. We will do this through:

Introducing a new National Retrofit Plan to make retrofitting more affordable and accessible and produce warmer, more comfortable homes

Installing over 600,000 heat pumps in new and existing homes and commercial buildings by 2030

Ensuring emissions from public sector buildings are reduced by 50%

Rolling-out district heating systems which will heat water as well as buildings in urban communities

Embedding a culture of remote and hybrid working to enable one in five public sector workers to remote work at any one time.

Making Agriculture more Sustainable and Making Better use of our Land

We will achieve an emissions reduction of between 22% and 30% while helping Irish farms to continue to be world-class food producers. We will do this through:

More environmentally friendly farming practices including reduced fertilizer use, earlier finishing of animals, enhanced feeding practices, improved breeding and genetics of animals and incentivising organic farming, biomethane and energy production.

Better, more sustainable land use including improved forestry management, increased afforestation plans and the creation and maintenance of carbon sinks through better soil management.