Annual Report 2023

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

The 2023 Annual Report illustrates progress 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 2023 include:

• The Climate Action Plan 2024 was published
• A new draft of the National Adaptation Framework was completed, setting out the national strategy to reduce the vulnerability of the country to the negative effects of climate change and to avail of positive impacts
• National Retrofit Plan – 47,952 home energy upgrades were delivered, with an estimated 60.07 kilotonnes of CO2 emissions savings
• 'Energy Security in Ireland to 2030' was published, ensuring energy security for this decade and a sustainable transition to a carbon neutral energy system by 2050
• National Broadband Plan – 205,638 premises passed and available for immediate connection in 2023
• The National Hydrogen Strategy was published, representing a landmark point in the development of a renewable hydrogen sector in Ireland
• The Mid-Term Review of the National Cyber Security Strategy 2019-2024 was published, setting out 18 new strategic actions to be delivered across Government by the end of 2024
• Ireland's first national Clean Air Strategy was published