In 2009 the Government set a national target to improve energy efficiency by 20% by 2020. It has set the public sector the more challenging target of improving its own energy efficiency by 33%.
Since 2009 the public sector has improved its energy efficiency by 24%. To ensure that the public sector fully realise its targets the Government has approved and begun the implementation of a Public Sector Energy Efficiency Strategy. This strategy has recently been implemented. It fulfills the commitments made in Ireland’ 3rd National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP 3), the Energy Policy White Paper Ireland’s Transition to a Low Carbon Energy Future 2015-30 and the Programme for a partnership Government 2016 to develop and publish a public sector Strategy.
The Strategys’s objectives are as follows:
- The public sector will use its skills and experience to take a national leadership role in the deploying of energy efficient projects and initiatives.
- For the strategy to be delivered by means of a coordinated whole Government effort. All State Departments and the bodies under their aegis will play their part in embedding efficient energy management at all levels of their business operations.
- The public sector will employ an action focused and results driven approach to public sector reform and cost efficient energy management. This will deliver better value for money and better services for citizens.
- The public sector contributes to the development of a more sustainable national energy system and to a reduction in CO2 emissions. This will foster a cleaner and healthier environment now and for future generations.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) are responsible for reporting on the progress of the public sector. Click here to view the latest Annual Report 2019 on Public Sector Energy Efficiency Performance.