The first Progress Report on the Climate Action Plan 2021 was published by the government today (Thursday, June 9), detailing progress made on 423 climate action measures due for delivery in the last quarter of 2021 and Q1 2022.

It highlights climate action progress achieved in both quarters, while also emphasising the need to address barriers to implementation.

A completion rate of 73% is reported overall, comprising a delivery rate of 84% on 232 Q4 2021 measures, and 59% on 191 Q1 2022 measures.

A number of the measures delivered have significant potential for emissions reduction or for increasing Ireland’s resilience to climate change, according to the progress report.

Commenting on progress, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “We must redouble our efforts to create a cleaner, more sustainable, and climate neutral Ireland, richer in biodiversity, for future generations.

Minister for the Environment, Climate, and Communications Eamon Ryan also welcomed progress on the 2021 plan.

He said: “The actions achieved so far in the 2021 Climate Action Plan set us on the right path towards emissions reduction, but will also lead to a number of social and economic benefits for people across Ireland.

"This includes more secure energy supplies; better connected transport; warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes; lower energy bills; more sustainable food supplies; greater biodiversity protection; and new job opportunities and resilient incomes for rural and urban communities.”

The report is structured to highlight sectors with the highest climate impact, to enable better understanding of the measures that will contribute the most to mitigation and adaptation targets.

The report also highlights a number of measures that were not delivered on schedule, albeit many are expected to be completed in Q2 2022.

Key reasons given for their delay include administrative and capacity constraints; desires for alignment with other measures; technical complexity; stakeholder consultation and the pace of the legislative process.

The report highlights the need to overcome these delays in keeping with the urgency of emissions reduction efforts, legally binding carbon budgets and soon-to-be agreed Sectoral Emissions Ceilings that will set specific emissions limits on sectors, including agriculture.

These new ceilings, and accompanying actions, will be outline in the Climate Action Plan 2023, due to be published later this year.

Reducing emissions

Improving building energy efficiency

Enabling better marine and land use

Supporting farmers and forestry

Supporting the most vulnerable

Some of the key measures delayed in Q4 2021 and Q1 2022 include: