Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 commits Ireland to a legally-binding target of a climate neutral economy no later than 2050 and a reduction in emissions of 51% by 2030 (compared to 2018 levels).

The carbon budget programme proposed by the Climate Change Advisory Council has been approved by Government, and adopted by the Oireachtas. This carbon budget programme comprises three successive 5-year carbon budgets from 2021 up to 2035.

Under the Act, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (MECC) will now prepare, within the limits of the agreed carbon budget programme, the maximum amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are permitted in different sectors of the economy during a budget period (‘sectoral emissions ceilings’) and different ceilings may apply to different sectors. 

The MECC is currently consulting with my Department and others in relation to these sectoral emissions ceilings - this includes the Built Environment Sector.

Proposals will be brought to Government following this process.

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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In general, public procurement is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Office of Government Procurement.

Embodied Carbon in construction materials makes a significant contribution to the lifetime carbon emissions of new buildings. Currently these embodied carbon emissions are addressed in the Climate Action Plan 2021.

The operational carbon emissions for heating, lighting and other services have been significantly reduced in Nearly Zero Energy Buildings. These regulations apply to all new buildings including social and affordable housing developments.  

A taskforce chaired by Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment  is currently examining the actions required to achieve the Climate Action Plan target of a “10% (and up to 60%) decrease in embodied carbon in construction materials” including low carbon cement – as per Action 134 in Climate Action Plan 2021 (Annex of Actions).

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) are also carrying out a research and development project to examine life cycle analysis and embedded energy in buildings to compare the use of sustainable materials and under Action 198 of CAP 2021 are developing an embodied carbon building rating calculation methodology.

Under Action 197 of CAP 2021 the Office of Public Works (OPW) are putting in place a roadmap to promote greater use of lower-carbon building material alternatives in construction and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland.

The review of Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 (known as the Constructions Products Regulations or “the CPR”) was confirmed by the European green deal in December 2019 and the circular economy action plan in March 2020. In parallel, the European Commission initiated discussion on an implementation plan for a future environmental life cycle assessment framework for construction products, looking at the impacts on the wider environment that occur during the whole life cycle of a construction product. The objective is to identify the strategic issues that need to be addressed with a view to the implementation of Basic Works Requirement 7 ‘Sustainable Use of Natural Resources’ (BWR7) in the context of the current and the future revision to the Construction Products Regulation. 

 The European Commission published a proposal on 30th March and are currently inviting feedback on this for a minimum period of 8 weeks (03 April 2022 - 16 June 2022). Further detail can be found at: www.ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12458-Construction[1]products-review-of-EU-rules_en .

All feedback received will be summarised by the European Commission and presented to the European Parliament and Council with the aim of feeding into the legislative debate. Separately, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage intends to consult with relevant stakeholders on the legislative proposal.

Ireland will be obliged to follow this harmonised procedure via harmonised technical specifications for construction products, when a consensus of approach emerges. In that regard, it would be counter to harmonisation to develop national rules for matters covered by the Internal Market regulation.

In addition my Department has issued design guidelines for sustainable housing which includes recommendations to have due regard for the environmental impact of construction materials. These guidelines “Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities” are available on my Department’s website at the following link. www.gov.ie/en/publication/24d9e-quality-housing-for-sustainable-communities-design-guidelines/