Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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677. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the specific measures taken in his Departmental offices and operations in reducing energy usage and to assist in Ireland meeting our climate targets for 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23323/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The Climate Action Mandate requires my Department to demonstrate, in practice, that we can contribute directly to Ireland’s commitments on climate action. In line with the requirements of the mandate my Department has developed a Climate Action Roadmap which details how we aim to meet its 2030 carbon and energy efficiency targets and how we are implementing the requirements of the mandate.

My Department has been on a journey of environmental management for a number of years. This is demonstrated through achieving certification to the ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management Standard in 2019 for our Custom House, Wexford and Ballina offices. In order to achieve and maintain this certification, we continuously identify ways to improve our environmental management systems. We will continue this journey by proactively planning to meet the actions set out under the Climate Action Mandate.

My Department has taken numerous measures to reduce carbon emissions and increase energy efficiency. My Department is working to achieve our goals of Net-Zero emissions no later than 2050, and a 51% reduction in emissions by the end of this decade. In 2024 the Department has decreased CO2 emissions by 41.1% from the average baseline years of 2016-2018. My Department's energy efficiency has increased by 56.3% from the baseline year and the 2024 SEAI key energy performance indicators show that if the energy performance is maintained at this level for another 6 years, the efficiency target will be achieved by 2030.

My Department has already implemented a number of projects including LED replacement programmes in offices, the replacement and repair of internal and external infrastructure to reduce heat loss, engagement in internal and SEAI communication campaigns to raise awareness of energy consumption within the Department and the use of scheduling for heating and lighting across locations. My Department aims to achieve our sectoral goals, through continuing initiatives such as the electrification of fleets, retrofitting our buildings, creating cycle friendly facilities for staff and visitors.

My Department will undertake additional energy assessments to identify projects to reduce reliance on fossil fuels including the proposed installation of solar panels in our offices and projects to assist in effectively managing energy such as upgrading our building management system to obtain greater control on energy consumption.