CLIMATE CHANGE ADVISORY COUNCIL WARNS IRELAND FALLING BEHIND ON HOME ENERGY TARGETS

Ireland

Ireland: The Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) has warned that Ireland is not on track to meet its 2030 goals for reducing emissions and retrofitting homes. Heat pump installations dropped by 4.4% in 2024, with only 3,600 units installed compared to 3,767 the year before. From 2019 to 2024, just 14,194 heat pumps were fitted, well below the target of 45,000 by the end of 2025. At the current pace, only about one fifth of the planned 400,000 installations will be achieved by 2030.

Emissions from homes burning fossil fuels for heat rose by 5% in 2024, while emissions from commercial and public buildings increased by 7.9%. The CCAC is calling for stronger measures, including more grants, VAT reductions, tax exemptions, and a clear plan to phase out oil and gas boilers in existing homes. It also highlighted the need to support solar panel users with battery storage and changeover switches to allow homes to use power during outages.

Under the Warmer Homes Scheme, 7,743 homes were retrofitted in 2024, but only 49 received heat pumps. A further 1,542 units were installed under the national retrofit scheme, which provides grants of Euro 3,500 to Euro 6,500 depending on dwelling type. The council noted that upfront costs remain a barrier, especially as gas prices have stabilised.

Source: Irish Independent