Charissa Jaganath

Why green purchasing is so important? - The public sector has a vital role to play in leading Ireland’s transition to a sustainable and carbon-neutral economy and society. In Ireland, public bodies (excluding utilities) spend an estimated €18.5 billion a year on goods, services and works. This purchasing power has significant potential to reduce emissions and protect the environment while saving money over the full lifecycle of goods and services. The government’s commitment to Green Public Procurement as set out in the government policy ‘Buying Greener: Green Public Procurement Strategy and Action Plan 2024-2027' sends a powerful signal to the market that there will be an increased focus on sourcing goods, services and works with a reduced environmental impact to support Ireland in meeting environmental policy objectives. These environmental policy objectives include climate action, circular economy and biodiversity. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Ireland has a key role in supporting Green Public Procurement including the development of national guidance and national criteria for priority sectors. In July, the EPA published updated ‘Green Public Procurement: Guidance for the Public Sector’ and national criteria for the following priority sectors to bring them up to date with policy and legislation: • Road transport vehicles & services • ICT products & services • Food & catering services • Indoor cleaning services, Indoor and outdoor lighting • Heating equipment • Energy-related products • Paper products & printing services • Textiles products and services. New criteria for Furniture and related services were also published. While the criteria are aimed primarily at public procurers, they will also be of interest to the private sector, whether as suppliers responding to tenders or businesses looking to apply green criteria in their own procurement. The EPA has responsibility to report on Green Public Procurement implementation in government departments and has published annual reports for reference years 2020 to 2022. The latest report showed a low level of implementation across central government with just 34% of the reported €922 million spend on contracts greater than €25,000 including green criteria.   There remains a significant opportunity to increase green purchasing across government bodies.   Check out the up-to-date national guidance and criteria sets here: bit.ly/45PkXDJ

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A good summary of the Government's Climate Action Plan 2024. Some ambitious targets for sure. Exciting to see the focus on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and emissions reduction. Technology will be a key enabler in achieving these goals. #ClimateAction #Sustainability #RenewableEnergy #EnergyEfficiency #Ireland

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At ESB we have set ourselves an objective of achieving Net Zero Carbon emissions across our business by 2040. This Blog, published today outlines the progress which ESB has made and the entire electricity sector has made over recent years. Yes, there is much more to do but it is important to note the positive proof points on the Energy Transition so far. Our blog underlines the recent positive news from the Climate Change Advisory Council Ireland - 21% Reduction in Electricity Sector Emissions and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Ireland - National Emissions across the economy down 6.8%. #DecarboniseElectricityElectrifyHeatAndTransport Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications EAI: Electricity Association of Ireland Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) Utility Regulator NI Department for the Economy NI

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The Role of Technology in Ireland’s Climate Action Plan 2024 🌍 Earlier this week, Ireland’s Climate Action Plan 2024 was approved, setting ambitious targets to tackle climate change and promote sustainability. Here’s a summary of the key goals and how technology will help achieve them: 🔋 80% Renewable Electricity by 2030 Importance: Reduces dependence on fossil fuels and lowers emissions. Technology’s Role: Real-time monitoring and smart grid management optimise the use of solar and wind energy. 🏠 Retrofitting 500,000 Homes and Installing 680,000 Heat Pumps by 2030 Importance: Reduces emissions and lowers energy costs. Technology’s Role: Smart data analytics and energy-efficient technologies enhance energy use in buildings. 🚗 Electrifying the Vehicle Fleet and expand charging infrastructure Importance: Reduces transport sector emissions. Technology’s Role: Smart charging systems for EVs ensure efficient use of renewable energy. 🏢 Public Sector: 51% Emissions Reduction and 50% Energy Efficiency Improvement by 2030 Importance: Public sector leads by example in the transition to a low-carbon economy. Technology’s Role: Real-time monitoring and ESG reporting tools track progress and optimise energy use. 🌾 Agriculture Sector: Goal: Develop ecosystem services and incorporate sustainable practices. Importance: Reduces emissions in agriculture. Technology’s Role: Precision farming technologies and data analytics optimise resource use and enhance carbon sequestration. 🌳 Forestry and Land Use: Goal: Increase afforestation and improve land use practices to sequester more carbon. Importance: Enhances carbon sinks. Technology’s Role: GIS and remote sensing technologies help monitor and manage forests. Why Technology Matters: Technology is the backbone of our journey to a sustainable future. By leveraging innovative solutions, we can: 🌱 Reduce carbon emissions ⚡ Improve energy efficiency 💡 Make informed decisions based on real-time data Interested in how advanced energy management technology can support these goals? Get in touch with Voltflo to see how we can help with your climate strategy. https://lnkd.in/eb5KTt73 #ClimateAction #Sustainability #RenewableEnergy #EnergyEfficiency #Innovation #Ireland

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📢 Government has approved Climate Action Plan 2024📢 Some key points include: Targets: ● Achieve 80% renewable electricity by 2030, including 9 GW onshore wind, 8 GW solar, and 5 GW offshore wind. ● Production of 2 GW of renewable hydrogen sourced from offshore wind to be in development by 2030. ● 20-30% demand side flexibility. ● 50-55% carbon-neutral heating in industry by 2025, escalating to 70-75% by 2030. ● Reduce embodied carbon in construction materials by at least 30% and enhance energy efficiency to reduce fossil fuel demand by 10% by 2030. ● 500,000 homes retrofitted by 2030. ● 680,000 heat pumps installed in new and existing housing by 2030. ● 20% reduction in total vehicle kilometres travelled, 50% reduction in fossil fuel usage in transport by 2030. Investment: ● Total investment of approximately €165 billion from 2021-2030, exceeding the EU average and aiming to maintain public investment at 5% of GNI. ● Estimated €119-125 billion of capital investment needed to deliver emissions reductions, with €70 billion redirected rather than incremental. ● Investments concentrated in deploying key emerging technologies like renewable electricity, heat pumps, electric vehicles, and carbon capture. Infrastructure: ● Significant changes to enhance electricity grid capacity and flexibility to accommodate renewable energy. ● Expansion of walking, cycling and public transport networks to facilitate sustainable mobility. ● Development of carbon capture, utilisation and storage technologies to address emissions that cannot be eliminated through other means. ● Investments in green economy, circular economy and low carbon economy infrastructure at the local level. 📑 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e-ZeAKnz ✉ Get more updates and summaries like this by signing up to our newsletter below: http://eepurl.com/iEcdVA #StakelumConsultancy #RenewableEnergy #EnergyNews #RenewableNews #Updates #CorporateFinance #Newsletter #StayConnected #IndustryInsights #TransactionManagement #DueDiligence #Education #MergersandAcquistions #ProfessionalServices  #RenewableEnergyFinance #Ireland #CAP24 #ClimateActionIRL #DevelopmentFinance #Ireland #HousingIreland #Property #ProjectManagement #PropertyDevelopment #Deals #Fundraising #GreenLoans #Newsletter #StayConnected #IndustryInsights #News #SubscribeNow

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I wrote this https://lnkd.in/evXxF4_c for Kevin O'Sullivan, the Irish Times, and it captures some of my thoughts, and research, around the challenge of communicating climate and engaging people on the actions we need to meet the climate and biodiversity crisis. Some of that has come through the opportunity of taking a year out to do the Dublin City University Climate Change MSc and some through on-going conversations with people immersed in climate action like Hans Zomer and also meeting people like poet Jane Clarke (if you haven't read her work - make a point of finding it) but my shift into fully committing to climate work was also empowered by conversations with Jonathan Grimes of the Contemporary Music Centre (we then made the series We Only Want The Earth for RTE Lyric fm) about how art, culture, creativity and imagination could play a powerful role in bringing us beyond data and into seeing the often vague concept of 'climate change' as personal and relevant to our daily lives. I've used storytelling, particularly digital storytelling, as a way for ideas, including from research, to connect with the public and if last week's elections tell us anything - it's that we need to change the way we're talking about climate and biodiversity, (often as a top-down communications) and begin seeing it as a conversation, a shared conversation, where we meet people where they are, connect with their fears and hopes, and promote agency and ownership around action. If 'climate' was not on the agenda in the European elections, or in the minds of people, there's no point in blaming the electorate - we need to look in the mirror and change the story - and reflect, as Margaret Atwood says, 'it's not climate change, it's everything change'. Connect climate with everything - and show how it is connected to all the worry and future framing points - from housing to health, from cost of living, to migration. The mantra of storytelling is know your audience, understand what influences them, define your message and be there in that space conversing with them. #climateCommunications #Biodiversity #Arts #Ireland #storytelling #DCU #ClimateCentre #Engagement

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