Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

310. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the progress his Department has achieved in reducing its carbon footprint; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51134/18]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department’s Energy Policy and Environmental Policy Statements recognise that good environmental performance is as relevant in our workplace as in the home and elsewhere, and is accordingly an integral part of our day-to-day management and activities. The office environment is demanding on many resources, including energy, water, paper, equipment and other consumables. In this regard, as part of our green housekeeping policy, we have placed particular emphasis on conservation and maximising energy efficiencies. My Department’s Workplace Travel Plan (WTP) aims to encourage greater staff use of sustainable transport options when travelling to and from work, and to ensure that, where practicable, staff opt for sustainable transport options when conducting business on behalf of the Department. The commitment of my Department is indicated by its accreditation to ISO 14001 International Standard for Environmental Management Systems for its headquarters at the Custom House.

My Department has reported a 24.5% improvement in energy efficiency to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) Public Sector Monitoring & Reporting (M&R) System in accordance with the provisions of the European Union (Energy Efficiency) Regulations 2014 which transpose the Energy Efficiency Directive (Directive 2012/27/EU) into Irish Law, in respect of its offices in Ballina, Wexford and the Custom House, between the baseline year 2009 and 2017. Analysis of this data on the SEAI M&R System indicates that my Department has achieved 9.7% reduction in CO2 emissions in this period. Met Éireann, which is a Division of my Department, has reported a 9.6% improvement in energy efficiency to the SEAI during the same period. Analysis of the Met Éireann data for the same period on the SEAI M&R System indicates that it has achieved a 33% reduction in CO2 emissions.

This has been achieved by staff efficiency awareness and energy saving initiatives and participation in the OPW Optimising Power@Work Programme and the SEAI’s Energy Management Action Programme (EMAP). In order to achieve further efficiency gains, major lighting efficiency projects are currently underway in the Department's Ballina and Met Éireann offices, which are envisaged to be completed by year-end. My Department remains committed to achieving a 33% improvement in energy efficiency by the 2020 deadline and to further reductions in carbon emissions.