SUSTAINABILITY IN CONSTRUCTION: POLICY,
PRACTICE AND INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP IN IRELAND
Sustainability has become the defining challenge – and opportunity – for the global construction industry. Across Europe and beyond, governments, Investors, businesses and communities are demanding lower carbon solutions, greater accountability, and more sustainable ways to build.
For Ireland, the construction sector is at the centre of the transition, tasked with delivering growth, maintaining product performance standards while helping the country meet ambitious climate targets.
Government Policy Driving Change
The Irish Government has set out a clear roadmap for decarbonisation under the Climate Action Plan 2024, committing to a 51%reduction in emissions by 2030 and net zero by 2050. Construction is identified as a priority area, with particular focus on reducing embodied carbon in materials, improving energy efficiency in buildings, and embedding circular economy practices.
Green Public Procurement (GPP) is one of the strongest levers driving immediate change. Public sector projects are increasingly required to demonstrate sustainability credentials, with preference given to products supported by Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and low-carbon innovations.
This is influencing private sector projects too, as clients, contractors and designers look for solutions that are both cost-effective and environmentally responsible.
At European level, policies such as the upcoming Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and Digital Product Passports (DPPs) will reshape how building materials are manufactured, tracked and specified. Breedon is aligning closely with these initiatives, ensuring the supply chain is future-ready.
Global and Local Trends
Worldwide, demand for sustainable construction solutions is accelerating. Developers and investors now expect verifiable carbon reductions and building regulations are tightening year on year. In Ireland, this global momentum is mirrored in the growing demand for products that balance performance, reliability and lower carbon impact. Cement and concrete, as the backbone of modern construction, are central to this transition.
Breedon Cement Ireland: Leading by Example
Breedon Cement Ireland is responding decisively to this challenge.
Sustainability is embedded in the company’s strategy, with a strong focus on innovation and practical solutions for customers.
A positive step forward is the launch of Premium+ Cement, Breedon’s new lower-carbon cement. Combining performance and consistency, Premium+ reflects the company’s commitment to delivering lower carbon products without sacrificing performance.
Premium+ provides excellent early strength characteristics meeting CEM II/A-L 42.5N strength class.
Practicality is also a priority with Premium+ available in innovative weatherproof packaging, protecting the product on-site and ensuring usability in Ireland’s unpredictable climate.
Investment in innovations across its operations, such as replacement of imported fossil fuels with the use of renewable, selectively prepared alternative fuels derived from the waste sector, is delivering results. Within a decade, Coal replacement rate reached 60%.
In 2024, the company achieved a world-class milestone of 81% alternative fuel use, exceeding the EU 27 average of just over 52% and significantly higher than the global average less than 20%. Breedon’s goal is to reach 100% alternative fuel substitution by 2030.
This transition not only significantly reduces carbon emissions but also supports the circular economy. By recovering both thermal and mineral value from waste materials, Breedon reduces landfill demand, displaces imported fossil fuels and lowers the need for raw material extraction.
The Breedon Solar farm has commenced full operation in recent months and will provide a significant share of the plant’s annual energy demand, directly displacing electricity generated from fossil fuels.
Looking Ahead
As Ireland works to deliver on its climate commitments, the construction sector will continue to evolve rapidly. Policies, procurement requirements and market expectations will continue to challenge manufacturers to deliver lower carbon, high performing products. With clear government direction and industry leaders such as Breedon taking decisive steps, Ireland’s construction industry is not only adapting to sustainability – it is helping to build a lower carbon, more resilient future.
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Michael McDonnell Managing Editor of Irish Construction Industry Magazine & Plan Magazine
Email: michael@irishconstruction.com WWW.MCDMEDIA.IE