Annual Report 2021

The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications’ vision is for a climate neutral, sustainable and digitally connected Ireland. Our Annual Report 2021 outlines the progress made in respect of the goals we set out in our Statement of Strategy 2021-2023, Le Chéile 23.

The 2021 Annual Report illustrates the delivery of activities towards achievement of 5 Strategic Goals:

• Goal 1 Be a recognised leader in climate action
• Goal 2 Transform our energy system for a net zero emissions future
• Goal 3 Transition to a circular economy – protecting and restoring our environment through sustainable resource use
• Goal 4 Deliver world class connectivity and communications
• Goal 5 Ensure best in class governance and regulation

Key achievements in 2021 include:

• The enactment of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021
• 52 projects funded form the Just Transition Fund
• Over 15,000 homes upgraded through residential and community retrofitting
• Over 1,000 MW of new renewable electricity through onshore wind and solar energy
• Publication of the Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy
• 285,000 premises surveyed in the National Broadband Plan
• Certain single-use plastic products banned form the market through the Single Use Plastics Regulations