Sunday, 25 January 2026
Ireland’s Sustainability Performance Ireland stands at a critical juncture in its sustainability journey. With ambitious climate targets, evolving EU regulations, and increasing pressure from consumers and investors, businesses across the island need reliable data to guide their environmental strategies. TThis comprehensive analysis brings together the latest Sustainability Statistics Ireland professionals rely on, covering both Northern […]
Ireland stands at a critical juncture in its sustainability journey. With ambitious climate targets, evolving EU regulations, and increasing pressure from consumers and investors, businesses across the island need reliable data to guide their environmental strategies. TThis comprehensive analysis brings together the latest Sustainability Statistics Ireland professionals rely on, covering both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, providing the definitive resource for professionals shaping Ireland’s green transition.
The All-Ireland Sustainability Network, with over 600 members spanning every sector, sees these trends firsthand. Our members – from multinational corporations to SMEs, from Belfast to Cork – are the organisations creating these statistics through their daily actions and innovations.
Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions tell a story of progress and challenge. The Republic of Ireland’s emissions stand at approximately 57.7 million tonnes CO2 equivalent, while Northern Ireland contributes roughly 20.9 million tonnes. Together, the island of Ireland accounts for nearly 80 million tonnes annually – a figure that must reach net zero by 2050.
Sector Breakdown (All-Ireland):
What makes Ireland unique is agriculture’s dominant role in emissions – significantly higher than the EU average of 10.5%. This presents both challenges and opportunities for innovation that our All-Ireland Sustainability Network members are actively addressing through collaborative initiatives and shared learning.
The data shows encouraging movement:
However, transport emissions have increased by 6% since pre-pandemic levels, highlighting the urgent need for electric vehicle infrastructure and modal shift strategies – topics regularly addressed in our member-exclusive webinars.
Our Sustainability Statistics Ireland analysis of businesses across the island reveals accelerating sustainability adoption:
Large Enterprises (250+ employees):
SMEs (10-249 employees):
These statistics underscore why 600+ organisations have joined the All-Ireland Sustainability Network – the gap between ambition and implementation requires peer support, practical resources, and expert guidance.
Sustainability investment across Irish businesses reached €2.8 billion in 2024:
Members of our network report average returns of 23% on sustainability investments within three years, demonstrating that environmental action delivers financial performance.
Ireland’s renewable energy statistics show significant regional variation:
Republic of Ireland:
Northern Ireland:
The all-island single electricity market creates unique opportunities for renewable integration, with installed wind capacity exceeding 5,500MW. Our Summit sessions regularly feature case studies from members successfully navigating power purchase agreements and on-site generation.
Based on current trajectories and policy commitments:
These projections represent €20+ billion in investment opportunities – opportunities our Leadership Circle members are positioned to capture through exclusive networking and partnership facilitation.
Ireland’s circular economy statistics reveal both achievements and gaps:
Recycling Rates:
Material Consumption:
The Circular Economy Programme, supported by All-Ireland Sustainability Network members, targets doubling the circular material use rate by 2030.
Food waste costs Irish businesses and households €1.2 billion annually:
Our member organisations in hospitality – including the Galgorm Collection, Hastings Hotels Group, and Beannchor Group – are leading initiatives that have reduced food waste by up to 40% through strategies shared at our networking events.
The sustainability sector now employs approximately 42,000 people across Ireland:
Growth rate: 8.5% annually (compared to 2.1% overall employment growth)
Research identifies critical sustainability skills shortages:
This skills gap drives demand for our professional development programmes, with members accessing exclusive training through monthly webinars and peer learning opportunities.
Ireland’s biodiversity faces continued pressure:
Protected Areas:
Corporate biodiversity action is accelerating:
Winners of our Biodiversity Initiative Award demonstrate measurable habitat creation and species recovery – inspiring replication across our network.
Green finance in Ireland reached record levels:
Government Support:
Access to this funding requires credible sustainability credentials – credentials our members build through awards recognition and network validation.
Statistics highlighting all-island environmental interdependence:
This interconnection drives the need for all-island collaboration – exactly what the All-Ireland Sustainability Network facilitates through our 600+ members spanning both jurisdictions.
Members report significant value from all-island networking:
Based on current progress rates:
On Track:
Off Track:
These gaps represent both challenges and opportunities for innovation – driving membership growth as organisations seek support achieving targets.
These Sustainability Statistics Ireland figures paint a clear picture: Ireland’s sustainability transition is accelerating but requires coordinated action, shared learning, and collective ambition. The gap between current performance and 2030 targets demands:
This is precisely what All-Ireland Sustainability membership delivers.
Data without action is merely information. The organisations leading Ireland’s sustainability transition – our 600+ members – use these statistics to:
Join Ireland’s sustainability leaders. Whether you’re starting your journey or accelerating existing programmes, All-Ireland Sustainability membership connects you with the network, resources, and expertise to turn these statistics into success stories.
Explore membership options and become part of the movement shaping Ireland’s sustainable future.
Our next member-exclusive webinar, “Turning 2025 Statistics into 2026 Strategy”, provides detailed analysis and practical applications of this data. Members receive free access, while non-members pay €95.
Statistics compiled from EPA Ireland, DAERA, SEAI, CSO, NISRA, Climate Change Advisory Council, Sustainable Energy Authority, and All-Ireland Sustainability Network member data. Last updated: November 2025.
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