Retrofitting Ireland’s homes will require tailor-made tools for the rental sector

Around 30% of people in Ireland now live in a home they do not own. Any solution towards renovating the rental sector must ensure that strong social safeguards are in place to shield tenants from higher housing costs that may follow renovations

Around €7bn to €8bn will be needed to bring all Irish homes towards a building energy rating (BER) of at least a B2 standard. File picture: iStock

An equitable and just transition for our homes and buildings can unleash multiple benefits for Ireland’s energy system, its environment and people, especially the most vulnerable. Renovating our buildings is a critical step toward achieving climate obligations, tackling energy poverty, creating green jobs, and fostering healthier and more resilient communities. 

Since 2021, the amount of households in Ireland that were unable to keep their homes warm has more than doubled, increasing from 3.4% in 2021 to 7.2% in 2023, which roughly means over 180,000 more people in Ireland fell into energy poverty over the last three years.