Ireland’s urban growth demands sustainable development. As we transition to a green future, our focus must be on modernising regulations, energy resilience, R&D and public-private partnerships, says Robert Costello

Ireland’s urbanisation has been rapid: in 1969, half of the population lived in rural areas, and urbanisation is expected to reach 75 percent by 2050.

In recent decades, urbanisation combined with general population growth and an economic boom has dramatically increased the footprint of Ireland’s cities. Much of this growth occurred without due regard for sustainable development. As Ireland sets out on a green transition, we must focus on making our cities sustainable.

Like the broader economy, Ireland’s cities run largely on fossil fuels. According to the United Nations, cities consume about 78 percent of the world’s energy, accounting for more than 60 percent of greenhouse gas emissions.

Transport accounts for almost 18 percent of total emissions in Ireland, and nearly all (94 percent) of these emissions come from road transport. Ireland has among the longest commute times in Europe, with many commuting into and around cities.

Ireland’s buildings are among the hardest to heat in Europe, with heat loss rates (U-values) three times those of Sweden. With poor heat retention and a relatively high reliance on solid fuels and oil, Irish buildings have the highest emissions in Europe.

Net zero emissions commitments of Ireland and the EU

The European Union is committed to achieving a 55 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050.

Ireland has committed to reducing emissions by 50 percent by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

Considering Ireland’s starting point relative to many of our European counterparts, significant action is required across the economy and society.

By implementing initiatives across the following four pathways, Ireland’s urban areas can become more sustainable and resilient to climate change.

1. Modernise regulations

Having the funding and finance to complete the green transition is necessary, but it is not sufficient: the regulatory environment must enable the required investment.

Ireland’s regulatory regime has been slow to respond to the needs of those working towards Ireland’s net zero ambition. Green hydrogen (hydrogen produced from renewable energy) will have a key role to play in decarbonising the country’s hard-to-electrify sectors.

This must be underpinned by a national hydrogen strategy that reviews existing regulations, considers where changes are required, and signals to the market the direction of travel in terms of the development of this vital sector.

While the Government has consulted on a hydrogen strategy, the consultation report has yet to be published. An ambitious hydrogen strategy will go hand in hand with plans to develop offshore wind farms on Ireland’s west coast, allowing the country to become an energy exporter.

2. Plan for energy resilience and sustainability

According to Engineers Ireland, Ireland faces an energy trilemma in which we must meet our energy needs while ensuring that we (i) increase sustainable energy production, (ii) keep our energy supply secure, and (iii) maintain affordability.

Diversity of supply and investment in infrastructure, such as interconnectors and energy storage, are essential in overcoming this trilemma.

3. Invest in research and development

We cannot build the world of tomorrow without research and development (R&D) today. We must therefore recognise the role of R&D within Ireland in making our green transition possible.

As an international hub for technology firms, Ireland has the potential to make digitalisation a core part of how we decarbonise our economy, building smart cities and communities. Combined public and private investment in digitalisation R&D will transform our economy.

4. Rethink public-private partnerships

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are a very useful method of contracting to deliver infrastructure. In Ireland, they have been successfully deployed to develop our motorway network, build schools and now deliver much-needed social housing.

They involve a lot of upfront work, de-risking projects and ensuring that the assets built are robust and well-maintained into the future. They also encourage more private sector involvement in infrastructure, bringing new technology and innovation into projects.

In addition, PPPs allow governments and public bodies to retain ownership of the infrastructure assets, an essential feature for long-term public ownership.

Rethinking PPPs involves broadening the areas in which this model can be deployed to help realise our net zero ambition. Areas where the model (or a variation of the model) can be deployed include district heating, battery storage, offshore grid infrastructure, bus and train fleets, electric vehicle (EV) charging, sustainable buildings and port infrastructure.

On the (path)way to a better future

Cities, big and small, can set out on clean-energy pathways. Each pathway requires working with various stakeholders, including some with competing needs. These stakeholders include regulators, power generators, power transmission and distribution companies, industry and consumers.

Only by laying the proper groundwork can people be brought on board and positive outcomes maximised. Stakeholder engagement is all the more essential in the case of Ireland’s cities, which have less administrative and financial autonomy than cities such as Paris or Berlin – Ireland has the lowest level of local autonomy in the European Union.

With a population that continues to grow rapidly and become more urban, Ireland must seize the opportunity to build more sustainable cities. A successful and sustainable green transition requires bringing people on board and embracing the technology that will enable shorter, cleaner commutes, warmer homes and a cleaner environment. Outlining and committing to clean energy pathways enables the public and private sectors to put the resources in place and build the necessary capacity to deliver the required investment in our cities and towns.