Understanding where your business produces greenhouse gas emissions, and planning to address them, is important. This page provides additional guidance on setting ‘science-based’ targets, preparing for net zero and reporting on progress.
By 2050 the Government has committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions – this means removing almost all emissions from business – it is necessary to start planning now for the renewable energy and low carbon supply chain your company will use in the future.
Set ‘science-based’ targets to reduce your emissions
Set targets in line with the Paris Agreement to avoid dangerous climate change by limiting global warming to well below 2°C and pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5°C.
Report regularly on your progress
Customers and investors are increasingly demanding more openness and transparency from businesses in reporting what they are doing to reduce their impact on climate change.
Consider product or service innovation for sustainability
A transition to a circular economy offers the possibility of a sustainable alternative future and is a fundamental step towards achieving climate targets. This new circular economy will also present opportunities – in job creation and long-term sustainability.
Plan for zero carbon energy
To meet our 2050 target of net zero, all aspects of our energy use will need to transition to renewable sources – that includes our electricity system, our manufacturing process, heating/cooling and our transport. For your business that means planning to stop using natural gas, coal, oil and all other non-renewable fuels. That will require each business to assess their needs, switching to renewables may or may not be possible immediately – now is the time to start planning that transformation.
The Government has a detailed plan to transition significant portions of economy to achieve a 50% reduction in carbon emissions within the next decade, and to prepare for net zero carbon by 2050. You can review the measures and actions that will be used to achieve this ambition, set out in Climate Action Plan 2021.
Support Links
Resources available from State agencies:
Under the SEAI EXEED grant scheme, support may be available for organisations planning an ambitious energy efficiency overhaul of their existing food production, processing and storage processes.
https://www.seai.ie/business-and-public-sector/business-grants-and-supports/exeed-certified-grant/
SSRH – The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat is a government funded initiative designed to increase the energy generated from renewable sources to meet heating needs. The scheme is open to commercial, industrial, agricultural, district heating, public sector and other non-domestic heat users.
SEAI’s Support Scheme for Energy Audits offers financial support for a high-quality energy audit for SMEs that spend more than €10,000 annually on energy.
Energy Audits for SMEs | Business | SEAICIRCULÉIRE – The National Platform for Circular Manufacturing’s mission is to demystify, derisk, and deliver circular business model innovation by unlocking the value that resides in an Irish circular economy.
Enterprise Ireland provide support companies to develop plans and undertake staff training in areas like resource efficiency, renewable energy and the circular economy through their Climate Enterprise Action Fund.
https://globalambition.ie/climate-enterprise-action-fund/
IDA Ireland provides a range of external advice and feasibility assessments to foreign-owned manufacturing companies operating in Ireland. The Go Green Offer is designed to encourage IDA clients to adopt green business principles in their organisation to increase competitiveness and achieve international environmental best practices.
https://www.idaireland.com/IDAIreland/media/HowWeHelp/2018-07-19-Go-Green-Brochure-FINAL.pdfMicro enterprises (up to 10 staff) can avail of free expert advice and mentorship through the Green for Micro scheme:
https://www.localenterprise.ie/Green/Green-for-Micro.html
The Climate Ready Academy Energy Leaders Programme equips businesses and energy professionals with expertise on how to reduce energy waste, optimise cost savings, and protect the environment.
https://www.climatereadyacademy.ie/energy-leaders-programme/The EPA ‘Tree Tool’ website can enable your business to carry out a quick overview of the level of resource efficiency in your company and identify opportunities for efficiencies or improvements.
Environmental Protection Agency Tree Tool for resource efficiencyOrigin Green is Ireland’s food and drink sustainability programme, operating on a national scale, uniting government, the private sector and the full value chain from farmers to food producers and right through to the foodservice and retail sectors. https://www.origingreen.ie/
The MODOS programme offers training and insight to businesses on leveraging the opportunities of circular economy principles.
Useful Information:
SEAI guide to decarbonising your business