Ministerial foreword

As Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, I am pleased to introduce the Environment Ireland Yearbook 2026 at this pivotal time for Ireland’s environment.

Ireland has set ambitious targets for reducing emissions, enhancing energy efficiency, protecting the natural environment, and transitioning to a circular economy.

The Programme for Government, Securing Ireland’s Future recognises the scale of this challenge and has set out a wide-ranging list of actions to support effective delivery of climate action and environmental protection. This includes ambitious action both on land and in our expansive marine space to ensure sustainable management of Ireland’s natural resources.

This is reflected in our commitment to accelerating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, which cut across so much of our environmental work.

We are reducing Ireland’s dependence on fossil fuels, making our air cleaner, and accelerating our transition to renewables. We have already made significant progress on this. Last year, 40% of Ireland’s electricity supply came from renewable sources. A cleaner environment is also happening in our homes; the Government supported nearly 54,000 home energy upgrades through the SEAI in 2024. These upgrades provide warmer, healthier homes to households, as well as lower carbon footprint and lower heating bills.

“As Ireland looks ahead to the EU Presidency in 2026, we have an important opportunity to shape future EU and international policies on environmental issues.”

We continue to work on reducing our circularity gap, with a new Circular Economy Strategy and updated Roadmap due in 2025. We have already made significant progress in a number of areas, most notably through the success of the Deposit Return Scheme: over 1.6 billion bottles and cans have been returned through the scheme by the Irish public since its launch in February 2024.

The second Clean Air Strategy Progress Report outlined the significant improvements in Ireland’s air quality, while the publication of the Air Pollution Amendment Bill demonstrates the commitment to further improve our air quality and to protect our health and environment. The publication of the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill will ensure that the protection of the environment remains at the heart of the regulation of industrial activity and that the legislation is streamlined, appropriate and proportionate to facilitate sustainable industrial development.

As Ireland looks ahead to the EU Presidency in 2026, we have an important opportunity to shape future EU and international policies on environmental issues. I look forward to continuing to work with my government colleagues, environmental stakeholders, and our citizens to ensure that we are creating a future which safeguards our environment for everyone’s benefit.

Darragh O’Brien TD

Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment and Minister for Transport