Ricardo collaborates on study highlighting need for urgent emissions action in Ireland

Urgent action is needed to deliver climate targets in Ireland, according to a new study by Ricardo and Element Energy.

The two consultancies carried out the National Heat Study for the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).

Heating demand and associated carbon dioxide emissions in Ireland have been rising steadily since 2014 and in 2020 represented 38% of all energy-related emissions. Reducing and removing the fossil fuels used to provide heat in homes, businesses and industry is a serious challenge that is central to achieving Ireland’s climate targets.

The National Heat Study is a comprehensive analysis of the options for reaching net-zero emissions from the heating sector by 2050. Comprising a series of technical reports analysing heat supply and use across all sectors, it provides key insights and proposed actions to decarbonise the sector. Crucially, it stresses the need for early and urgent action.

Dr Naser Odeh, Associate Director at Ricardo, said: “A key finding from this strategic study is that district heating has a key and important role to play in fast heat decarbonisation, with 50% of all buildings in Ireland being potential candidates for decarbonisation through heat networks.

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