Greener construction: Where next for Ireland's building stock?

Conor Power seeks the views of industry leaders on the challenges an ageing building stock in Ireland faces as the push is on to be carbon neutral by 2030 

The MTU Arena, a project designed to achieve a very low energy usage and NZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Building) standards. The 3,500m2 high performance indoor athletics centre includes large multi-event zone incorporating a sprint track and elite training laboratories, as well as facilities for events such as the high jump, pole vault, long jump and triple jump, along with some office space. Picture: Dan Linehan

The State often moves slowly, in the manner of a large oil tanker turning 360 degrees. Nowhere is this phenomenon more evident than in the area of preparing the nation’s commercial buildings for carbon neutrality.

The building industry is responsible for some 30% of all carbon emissions in the country, so it is a significant part of any plan to bring Ireland’s carbon emissions into line before 2030. There is a national retrofitting programme but even Green Minister Éamon Ryan acknowledged recently that it could take about 30 years to complete at the current rate.