Next steps and further information

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’ net-zero targets to reduce your emissions consistent with limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C.
  • Report regularly on your progress. Customers and investors are demanding more 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 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 the 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 2023.
Support links
  • Resources available from State agencies
  • Useful Information
Green for Micro
Green for Micro

Micro enterprises (up to 10 staff) can avail of free expert advice and mentorship through the Green for Micro scheme

Support Scheme for Energy Audits
Support Scheme for Energy Audits

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.

SSRH
SSRH

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.

Tree Tool
Tree Tool

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.

NSAI Standards
NSAI Standards

NSAI publish a number of Standards on climate change adaptation and climate change mitigation to help organisations of all sizes and types address the impacts of climate change.

The I.S. EN ISO 14090 collection provides organisations with a consistent, structured, and pragmatic approach to prevent or mitigate the harm caused by climate change, whilst taking advantage of available opportunities.

Climate Planning Fund for Business - Enterprise Ireland
Climate Planning Fund for Business - Enterprise Ireland

Part of the Green Transition Fund, it targets companies of different sizes and at different stages in their decarbonisation journey. Schemes include the Climate Action Voucher to develop an initial action plan, and GreenStart/Plus to develop these plans. The Strategic Consultancy grant also assists large energy users develop a carbon reduction roadmap.

SEAI EXEED
SEAI EXEED

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.

CIRCULÉIRE
CIRCULÉIRE

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.

IDA Ireland Go Green Offer
IDA Ireland Go Green Offer

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.

Origin Green
Origin Green

Origin 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.

Climate Ready Academy Energy Leaders Programme
Climate Ready Academy Energy Leaders Programme

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.

SEAI Energy Academy
SEAI Energy Academy

Energy efficiency e-learning - designed and curated by Ireland's leading energy experts.

SBCI Energy Efficiency Loan Scheme
SBCI Energy Efficiency Loan Scheme

The Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland's Energy Efficiency Loan Scheme (EELS) is a low-cost scheme with repayment terms of up to 10 years designed to help SMEs, farmers and fishers cut their energy bills, reduce their carbon emissions and improve their sustainability by investing in energy-saving measures.

List of energy supports for business
List of energy supports for business

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has a comprehensive list of supports to help businesses with their energy costs.

Enterprise Emissions Reduction Investment Fund
Enterprise Emissions Reduction Investment Fund

Another Green Transition Fund, the EERIF provides capital investment grants to transform the sustainability performance of businesses through decarbonisation. It includes schemes to assist businesses install energy monitoring systems and begin accounting for the carbon footprint; to make investments in decarbonising their manufacturing processes; and to support Research, Development and Innovation (RD&I) in low carbon products and processes.

Non-domestic Microgen Scheme
Non-domestic Microgen Scheme

The Non-Domestic Microgen Scheme (NDMS) provides financial assistance to help businesses and other sectors to install solar PV panels to generate electricity on site.

Our journey to net zero
Our journey to net zero
Ellen MacArthur Foundation
Ellen MacArthur Foundation
Ireland’s Sustainable Development Goals
Ireland’s Sustainable Development Goals
SEAI guide to decarbonising your business
SEAI guide to decarbonising your business
Irish Green Building Council
Irish Green Building Council
Science-based Targets Initiative
Science-based Targets Initiative
Scope 3 emissions calculator
Scope 3 emissions calculator
SME Climate Hub
SME Climate Hub
Climate TRACE
Climate TRACE

Climate TRACE is a global non-profit coalition created to make meaningful climate action faster and easier by independently tracking greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with unprecedented detail and speed.