Ireland Likely to Miss Key Climate Targets for Residential Heating, ESRI Warns

Dublin: Ireland is significantly behind schedule in meeting its residential heating decarbonisation targets under the Climate Action Plan, according to a new report from the Economic and Social Research Institute.

The report highlights slow progress in deep energy retrofits, heat pump installations and district heating networks as the main reasons for the shortfall. By the end of 2024, only 58,000 homes had completed deep retrofits—just 11.5% of the target to upgrade 500,000 homes to a B2 BER rating or higher by 2030. Heat pump installations are also lagging, with just over 14,000 units installed so far, representing only 3.5% of the goal of 400,000.

Financial barriers and homeowner reluctance are major challenges. After grants, deep retrofit costs can range from about €16,000 for apartments to more than €42,000 for detached homes. The study also found that over 40% of homeowners are unlikely to undertake such upgrades.

The report suggests that Ireland may need additional measures, including targeted incentives and alternative low-carbon heating fuels, to meet climate goals.

Separately, the government has acknowledged that the country is also expected to fall short of its renewable energy targets through to 2030, despite meeting the baseline target of 16% renewable energy in 2024.

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