Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

109. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position with regard to the detailed roadmap for long-term decarbonisation of the commercial sector, including requirements arising from recast EU legislation, as laid out in the annex of actions of the Climate Action Plan 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21386/23]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Heat and Built Environment Taskforce has been established to accelerate and drive delivery in relation to retrofitting renewable heat, district heat and decarbonisation of the building stock. A sub-group of this Taskforce is specifically focussed on the commercial sector.

Climate Action Plan 2023 sets out our level ambition for decarbonising the commercial built environment. A detailed roadmap is being developed, led by my Department and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, which is also supported by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research and Science, the SEAI and other agencies. This Roadmap will set out the key existing and new policy interventions to achieve the objectives set out to reach our targeted abatement from the commercial sector.

In order to support businesses on their decarbonisation journey, the roadmap will also set out the standards, regulations and timelines that will help drive the necessary changes in heating and energy systems, minimum required equipment efficiencies, and smart operational and monitoring technologies to meet these targets.

The Commercial Built Environment Roadmap Working Group have met twice (22 March and 6 April). At these initial meetings they have discussed the Energy Performance in Buildings Directive (EPBD), the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), relevant data availability, the elements to be included in the roadmap, and their approach to engagement with stakeholders.

The Group's work is also supported by the ENACT project. ENACT is a 3 year initiative, tasked with enabling the commercial sector to overcome barriers to achieving targets and positively contributing to climate change. It is funded by the SEAI, and led by the Irish Green Building Council, and operates through partnerships with the University of Galway, Sustainability Works, Dublin Chambers of Commerce and the Society for Chartered Surveyors.

As per the Climate Action Plan 2023 the Working Group is scheduled to complete its roadmap for the Commercial sector by Q3 this year. The Terms of Reference of the Working Group, and minutes of its meetings, will be published in the coming weeks on Gov.ie.