Slow pace of retrofitting 'hurting Ireland's emissions efforts'
Despite record levels of government funding for national retrofitting programmes, anecdotal evidence strongly suggests the process is confusing, costly, and too bureaucratic for many homeowners.
Ireland's position as one of the better global performers in reducing emissions from buildings is threatened by the slow pace of retrofitting, a new study claims.
The study by UK sustainability advisors 3Keel and Irish building materials firm Kingspan calculated that the number of retrofits on buildings last year was only around 10% of the annual target, with building stock still dependent on fossil fuel heating.
Ireland is among many nations where progress has stalled or even worsened, the Global Retrofit Index said.
Whilst progress has been made amongst EU economies—namely, the Netherlands, France, Ireland, and Germany—emission reductions in these countries are now stalling, whilst the UK’s emissions are also beginning to plateau, it said.
In the US, emissions from buildings are actually rising, it warned.
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Ireland performed well in the last decade when it came to reducing building emissions, falling by approximately 25% between 2010 and 2020, the index found. However, it would need a 99% reduction up to 2040 if it is to reach so-called net zero, where emissions generated are balanced out by the removal of carbon from the atmosphere.
Despite record levels of government funding for national retrofitting programmes, anecdotal evidence strongly suggests the process is confusing, costly, and too bureaucratic for many homeowners.
The Public Accounts Committee heard from Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) officials last week that the average homeowner is looking at almost €40,000 after grant aid to bring their home to an A standard of energy efficiency, even when done through the "one-stop shop" firms signed up to carry out the entire process.
