Plan puts climate solutions at the centre of Ireland’s social and economic development
The government has today approved Climate Action Plan 2025. It is the third statutory update to the plan since the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 was signed into law, committing Ireland to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030 (relative to 2018 levels) and achieving climate neutrality by 2050. It builds on Climate Action Plan 2024, outlining how Ireland will accelerate the actions required to respond to the climate crisis, putting climate solutions at the centre of Ireland’s social and economic development.
Climate Action Plan 2025 is a streamlined Climate Action Plan, to be read in conjunction with Climate Action Plan 2024. It is also the final Climate Action Plan of the first 5-year Carbon Budget – marking an important midpoint in what has been called the decade of climate action.
Commenting on the launch of Climate Action Plan 2025, Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy Darragh O’Brien said:
“It’s 10 years since we signed the original Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act into law in 2015. Climate action has to be seen in that context; years of ambition and hard work have led us to a point where we are finally starting to see meaningful reductions in emissions in Ireland.
“In 2023, emissions reduced by 6.8%. Producing an annual update to the Climate Action Plan allows us to take stock each year to see how we’re doing. Climate Action Plan 2025 is the latest response to that stocktake. But climate action is happening up and down the country every day, with retrofitting and more energy efficient homes, thereby reducing energy bills, with more reliable Local Link bus services connecting towns across Ireland, and more home-grown wind power – driving energy security.
“This is my first Climate Action Plan as Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy. Having seen first-hand how climate action improves the quality of life of citizens and the natural environment of the State, I look forward to continuing with that ambition into the years ahead.”
While Ireland is making significant progress in reducing emissions, and initial quarterly emissions data for 2024 is pointing to further decreases, more work needs to be done. Accelerating the implementation of actions and strengthening the climate governance structures in this, and the next Climate Action Plan (Climate Action Plan 2026) will be key if Ireland is to close the emissions gap and stay within the limits of the Carbon Budgets.
Minister of State for the Circular Economy (at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications) Alan Dillon, said:
“Climate Action Plan 2025 marks a pivotal moment in Ireland’s journey toward climate neutrality, embedding circular economy principles across every sector is no longer optional—it’s essential. The transition to a more circular, less wasteful economy is not only good for the environment, it’s a massive opportunity for innovation, competitiveness, and job creation. From reducing material use and designing out waste to supporting repair, reuse and recycling, circularity will be at the heart of our emissions reductions and economic resilience. I look forward to accelerating this progress with communities, businesses, and public bodies across the country.”
Minister of State with special responsibility for the Marine (at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications) Timmy Dooley, said:
“Our increased understanding of the impacts of climate change on our marine and coastal environment has helped inform this latest Climate Action Plan. From a climate change perspective, we will continue to carry out scientific and research programmes to improve our knowledge of our marine space. As part of this plan, the establishment of marine protected areas will help enable the protection and conservation of marine biodiversity, and a reduction in emissions from the seafood sector will continue.
“Ireland’s vast maritime territory also offers an untapped resource which can be the cornerstone of our energy transition. The State’s continued commitment of a fit-for-purpose regulatory and planning regime for the marine environment is an important element this plan and builds on work already underway in the maritime regulatory space. A proper regulatory and planning regime will be vital for the development of offshore energy production, but it will also help protect our marine environment.”
Climate Action Plan 2025 can be viewed on the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications website.