Launched in December 2022, the Climate Action Plan 2023 is the framework through which government intends to meet the legally-binding, economy-wide carbon budgets and sectoral ceilings agreed in July 2022, and the emissions reductions targets set out in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Acts. Key targets include:

• Reduce emissions by 2030 in the following sectors:
  • 75% in the electricity sector
  • 45% for commercial/public buildings and a 40% reduction or residential buildings
  • 50% in the transport sector
  • 35% in industry
  • 25% in agriculture

• Ensure enough renewable electricity to power every home and business in the country by 2030 
• Retrofit the equivalent of 120,000 dwellings to BER B2 by 2025, and 500,000 dwellings by 2030
• Reduce the total distance driven across all car journeys by 20%
• Walking, cycling and public transport to account for 50% of all journeys
• Ensure that nearly one in three private cars will be an electric vehicle by 2030

The Climate Action Plan also notes that supports from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland (EI) will be expanded and enhanced, with a focus on achieving energy efficiency, electrification and biomass adoption for businesses.

The Climate Action Plan also emphasises the role of sustainable remote working practices in achieving certain targets, which may not be compatible with the needs of different Dublin firms who are in the process of encouraging employees to return to the office in a hybrid or full-time capacity.

To read the government press release, click here. Dublin Chamber looks forward to discussing this with Minster Eamon Ryan next week, advocating for the needs of businesses.