Ciarán Ahern (Dublin South West, Labour)
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140. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department has carried out a review of the level of performance of all public bodies with regards to their obligations under section 15 of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015; to provide a report on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49308/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Although its share of emissions is relatively small nationally, the public sector plays a very important leadership role in delivering ambitious climate action. Section 15(1) of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015, as amended, requires bodies to perform their duties, in so far as practicable, in a manner consistent with, inter alia, the most recently approved Climate Action Plan.

Under the Climate Action Plan, public sector bodies and commercial semi-State bodies are required to comply with both the Climate Action Framework for the Commercial Semi-State Sector and the Public Sector Climate Action Mandate. The Climate Action Framework for the Commercial Semi-State (CSS) sector, which was approved by Government in 2022, comprises a set of commitments in terms of a best practice approach to climate action. These commitments relate to governance of climate action objectives, emissions measurement and reduction targets, emissions valuation in investment appraisals, circular economy and green procurement, and climate-related disclosures. The Framework reflects the exemplar role that many organisations within the sector are playing in the decarbonisation of Irish society and also recognises their separate nature.

Oversight of implementation of the Framework commitments is carried out by the New Economy and Recovery Authority (NewERA) under the auspices of the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA). NewERA has reported on the implementation of the Framework by CSS bodies bi-annually to my Department and has moved to reporting on an annual basis from 2025. These reports are published and available on the NTMA website here: www.ntma.ie/publications.

To support public sector bodies in leading by example, the Public Sector Climate Action Mandate applies to public bodies covered by the Climate Action Plan (CAP) decarbonisation targets, with the exception of local authorities, commercial semi State bodies, and schools. The Mandate highlights the main climate action objectives for public bodies and is reviewed annually.

Public sector bodies must take action on and report on the actions set out in the Mandate. Reporting on compliance with the Mandate began in 2024, with well over 200 public sector bodies submitting reports to SEAI in both 2024 and 2025. High level results are available on the SEAI website: www.seai.ie/plan-your-energy-journey/public-sector/monitoring-and-reporting/public-sector-results/public-body-results. 80% of all public sector bodies reported on Mandate compliance in 2024. Data for 2025 is set to release early in 2026.

Public bodies must also prepare Climate Action Roadmaps that set out their plans for implementing the Mandate. These roadmaps are due within 6 months of publication of the new Public Sector Mandate and provide a forward looking report on how public sector bodies will implement climate action in order to meet Mandate requirements as well as highlight climate achievements within their organisations. Over 40% of public sector bodies submitted roadmaps to SEAI in 2024. Roadmaps for 2025 are due by mid October.

As per Section 15(2) of the Act, relevant Ministers may also direct public bodies under their aegis to prepare and submit reports specifying the climate measures and progress that body is making towards the national climate objective.

I will continue to work with all public bodies to ensure that they are aware of their obligations under the Climate Action Plan and the related actions and measures.