Embracing the Government Climate Action Plan: Opportunities for Guaranteed Irish Members

The Irish government recognises the critical need for ambitious climate action to ensure a sustainable future, both nationally and globally. In light of the urgency of the climate crisis, limiting global warming to 1.5°C will require rapid, far-reaching, and unprecedented changes across all sectors of the economy and society, influencing how we live, work, and travel.

To achieve its long-term goal of transitioning to a low-carbon, climate-resilient, and environmentally sustainable economy by 2050, the government is implementing comprehensive policies and strategies. By 2030, the government aims to accomplish the following:

• Cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 30%
• Reach a target of at least 32.5% energy efficiency
• Deliver 70% renewable electricity

In pursuit of these ambitious targets, the Irish Government published the National Climate Action Plan in 2019 as a response to the Paris Agreement. This plan is reviewed annually, and various reports and strategies can be accessed here.

The National Climate Action Plan outlines a carbon budget along with sector-specific emission targets across the economy. Beyond the goal of decarbonising the country, the government anticipates several socio-economic co-benefits, including improvements in health and job creation. Members of Guaranteed Irish will find themselves directly impacted by initiatives within the key sectors of Electricity, Industry, Built Environment, Transport, Electricity, Agriculture and Circular Economy.

Electricity

In 2022, the electricity sector accounted for 14.4% of Ireland’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The sector faces significant challenges in meeting its requirements under the sectoral emissions ceiling, as the decarbonisation of other sectors—including transport, heating, and industry—largely depends on electrification. Meeting the unprecedented deployment rates of renewable energy and grid infrastructure required to align with national targets demands urgent action from all stakeholders.

The government’s main focus is to:

• Accelerate and increase the deployment of renewable energy to replace fossil fuels
• Deliver a flexible system to support renewables and demand
• Manage demand effectively
  
  

Why does it matter for our members? Several Guaranteed Irish members are already invested in renewable energy, including wind, solar, biomass, biogas for both B2B and B2C markets. This presents a real opportunity for these members to position themselves as leaders in the renewable energy sector, leveraging the Guaranteed Irish brand for enhanced credibility and market presence.

Industry

The industrial sector accounted for 9.7% of Ireland’s GHG emissions in 2022. Businesses within this sector are urged to reduce emissions by adopting cleaner technologies and improving energy efficiency. To support this transformation, the government plans to:

• Expand and enhance support from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), IDA Ireland, and Enterprise Ireland, focusing on energy demand reduction, electrification, and biomass adoption
• Electrify new and existing manufacturing processes to displace fossil fuel usage wherever feasible
• Promote low and net-zero carbon product substitution for construction materials and reduce clinker content in cement where practical

Opportunity for our members: Manufacturing members will be significantly impacted by these targets. The transition to less energy-intensive manufacturing processes not only helps meet emission reduction goals but also strengthens their bottom lines, making their businesses more resilient in the long term. Access to green finance is a key leverage for the sector. Members should explore available support and grants from SEAI, IDA Ireland, and Enterprise Ireland. Detailed information about SEAI grants can be found on the Guaranteed Irish Sustainability Hub. The Guaranteed Irish Roadmap Implementation Stage also aids members in aligning with the Climate Action Plan for Industry.

Built Environment

The built environment sector accounted for 11.1% of Ireland’s GHG emissions in 2022, a reduction from 12.3% in 2021. The government has introduced several ambitious initiatives, including:

• A National Residential Retrofit Plan
• Strengthening existing building regulations
• Supporting the growth of efficient district heating and the electrification of heating
• Implementing a Renewable Heat Obligation
• Creating a roadmap for the decarbonisation of commercial buildings

Opportunities for Members: Members in the built environment sector can engage with these initiatives to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions. There are significant opportunities for retrofitting existing buildings and ensuring compliance with new regulations, ultimately leading to a more sustainable built environment.

Transport

The transport sector accounted for 17.5% of Ireland’s GHG emissions in 2022. The impacts extend to national transport infrastructure, public transport access, and the decarbonisation of transport systems. Guaranteed Irish members will play an essential role as key actors in implementing strategies such as:

• Our National EV Charging Infrastructure Strategy and associated National En-route EV Charging Plan
• Addressing technical and supply chain risks related to the rollout of EV charging and alternative fuel infrastructure
  

Members with large commercial fleets will be incentivised to transition to electric vehicles (EVs). The government recommends increasing the target for commercial electric vehicles from 95,000 to 150,000 by 2030 to support the decarbonisation of commercial vehicle activities. Additionally, further incentives will be considered to facilitate the adoption of EVs by businesses. More information regarding SEAI grants can be found on the Sustainability Hub.

Members are also encouraged to review how they can promote smart, shared, and integrated mobility within their operations.

Agriculture

Agriculture represented 34.3% of Ireland’s GHG emissions in 2022. The sector is undergoing a significant transformation to meet emission reduction targets, guided by the Food Vision 2030 Strategy. This strategy emphasises the importance of environmental, social, and economic sustainability, focusing on:

• Reducing nitrous oxide and methane emissions
• Increasing carbon capture
• Enhancing biodiversity
• Enhancing adaptation strategies

Opportunity for Members: Guaranteed Irish members engaged in agriculture can benefit from initiatives aimed at improving sustainability practices, ensuring their operations align with the national objectives while enhancing their competitive advantage in the market.

The Circular Economy

Our current linear economic model, centred around 'Take-Make-Waste', is both environmentally and economically unsustainable. The excessive extraction of natural resources and waste generation contribute significantly to habitat loss and global warming. Transitioning to a circular economy offers a sustainable alternative, and Ireland is committed to this change. This transition will contribute to reducing GHG emissions while achieving our climate objectives. Emissions in this area have decreased by 10% since 2018, with a 25% reduction target by 2025 and a 50% reduction target by 2030.

To support this transition, the government plans to:

• Continue implementing the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy (2020)
• Publish a second Whole-of-Government Circular Economy Strategy
• Prioritise prevention planning in plastics, packaging, food, textiles, and construction waste
• Encourage circular economy behaviours such as reuse and recycling through targeted campaigns, including a new deposit and return scheme for plastic bottles and aluminium cans

Our retail members have played a crucial role recently with the successful launch of the Return Scheme in Ireland. Members involved in waste management can contribute significantly to the sustainable management of industrial and construction waste. More information about our Waste Management members can be found on the Sustainability Hub.

Just Transition Principles

The concept of a Just Transition is fundamental in addressing the sustainability agenda. This framework consists of four principles:

1. An integrated, structured, and evidence-based approach to identifying and planning our response to Just Transition requirements.
2. Equipping people with the right skills to participate in and benefit from the future net-zero economy.
3. Sharing the costs equitably to ensure that existing inequalities are not exacerbated.
4. Encouraging social dialogue to empower impacted citizens and communities, ensuring they are central to the transition process.
   
   

Conclusion

While the targets outlined in the Climate Action Plan may appear stringent, they also present significant opportunities for innovation, circularity, and improvements to Ireland’s future infrastructure. Guaranteed Irish members can leverage these changes to enhance their sustainability practices, position themselves as leaders in their respective industries, and contribute meaningfully to the broader climate action objectives. By embracing the Just Transition principles and engaging with government initiatives, members can navigate the path towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy while ensuring that the benefits of this transition are shared equitably across society.