A new report from the Climate Change Advisory Council is calling on the Irish government to significantly improve grant schemes for heat pumps and solar panel installations. The recommendation is part of the council’s 2025 annual review on the Built Environment, Industry, and Waste sectors, which highlighted an “urgent need” for accelerated action to reduce emissions.
Ireland Urged to Enhance Support for Heat Pumps and Solar Power to Meet Climate Goals
A new report from the Climate Change Advisory Council is calling on the Irish government to significantly improve grant schemes for heat pumps and solar panel installations. The recommendation is part of the council’s 2025 annual review on the Built Environment, Industry, and Waste sectors, which highlighted an “urgent need” for accelerated action to reduce emissions.
Built Environment Emissions on the Rise
According to the report, the Built Environment was the only sector to see an increase in emissions in 2024, with emissions from residential, commercial, and public buildings rising by 4.9% and 7.9% respectively. Marie Donnelly, Chair of the Climate Change Advisory Council, emphasized that the government must take “urgent action” to address this trend by making grants more accessible and maintaining support levels for sustainable energy technologies.
The report noted a significant difference in the adoption of heat pumps based on how retrofitting was conducted. While 90% of retrofits managed through official “one-stop shops” resulted in the installation of a heat pump, only 10% of self-managed projects included the technology. This disparity underscores the council’s belief that providing technical advice and support is crucial for wider adoption. Donnelly stated, “The real message here is that we need to have support for people. It’s a new technology, we need to assist them and support them in the process of introducing it.”
Broader Recommendations for Climate Action
In addition to enhancing support for heat pumps and solar panels, the council made several other key recommendations:
- Solar PV: Maintain grant support for solar panel installations, which can generate the electricity needed to power heat pumps, thereby reducing energy costs for households.
- District Heating: Finalize the Heat Bill by the end of the year to facilitate the rollout of district heating networks, which can stabilize energy costs and reduce reliance on volatile fossil fuel prices.
- Policy & Planning: Include a clear plan to phase out fossil fuel boilers in the upcoming National Building Renovation Plan. The council also called for the establishment of a network of independent energy advisors to assist households, particularly those in energy poverty.
- Waste & Industry: Address the low national circularity rate (2.3%, well below the EU average of 11.8%) and the high volume of waste generated. The council also recommended that all new buildings be required to have resource and waste management plans to minimize material consumption.
While acknowledging some positive policy changes, Donnelly expressed concern over the slow pace of implementation. “We’re in a crisis. We cannot wait for two or three or four years for policy changes, for supports to be put in place that allow people to make the changes that are necessary.”
