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.