The EPA State of the Environment Report 2024 underscores the construction sector’s significant environmental footprint, especially in terms of waste generation and emissions. Despite ambitious environmental policies in place, the report highlights serious deficits in how Ireland has implemented EU environmental legislation, making it clear that more rigorous enforcement and accountability are required. The construction sector, in particular, must take responsibility for addressing high levels of waste and emissions as it contributes significantly to environmental degradation.

The EPA 2024 Report is clear: Ireland, like the rest of Europe, is under increasing pressure to meet climate neutrality goals by 2050. To achieve this, sectors must adopt new practices and technologies that allow them to decarbonise and reduce waste. A key focus of the report is the need for robust, verifiable data to track environmental impacts such as greenhouse gas emissions, resource use, and waste generation.

As Ireland transitions to a circular economy, sectors like construction are increasingly required to manage their material usage and waste more effectively. Construction is a significant source of waste and emissions, and there is a growing need for digital systems that track material use, waste disposal, and emissions in real-time. These systems ensure compliance with regulations and help businesses reduce their environmental footprint.

The Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 introduces specific responsibilities for waste management, particularly targeting those involved in construction and demolition industries. It places the obligation directly on waste producers, including both main contractors and subcontractors, to ensure that all construction and demolition waste is managed in line with strict regulations regarding recycling, reuse, and disposal.

Based on the Green Public Procurement (GPP) Guidance for the Irish Public Sector, Hub360 can assist in several important areas related to green procurement and compliance, particularly in terms of data management, sustainability, and tracking environmental performance:

As the European Union sharpens its focus on sustainable finance, the recent adoption of the European Green Bond (EuGB) standard marks a pivotal step in ensuring that funds raised for green projects are used responsibly and transparently. For public bodies accessing green finance, this development highlights the critical need to report on their sustainability practices and maintain a proper audit trail for scrutiny. Hub360 is a crucial tool in achieving these objectives, ensuring that public sector entities not only comply with new regulations but also set a benchmark for transparency and accountability in green finance.

The construction and demolition (C&D) sector is a significant contributor to waste generation, accounting for approximately one-third of all waste produced annually in the European Union. With C&D waste consisting largely of excavated soil and stone (around 85%), along with materials like concrete, brick, tiles, glass, metal, plastic, and wood, managing this waste stream effectively is crucial. At Hub360, we are committed to helping organisations in the construction sector implement sustainable waste management oversight that align with evolving regulations and contribute to the circular economy.

Navigating the complexities of environmental compliance, including the preparation of Annual Environmental Reports (AER) and regular audits, demands an efficient, error-free reporting system. Hub360 offers a transformative solution by automating compliance reporting and significantly simplifying the audit process.