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.

In an evolving construction landscape, where sustainability and efficiency are paramount, one of Ireland’s largest developers has recently made headlines by refusing to accept paper-based documentation from suppliers and subcontractors on their project sites. This bold move is not just about cutting down on tedious, time-consuming processes, but is also aimed at ensuring compliance
with various new regulations that demand accountability in both environmental and operational aspects.

The Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 places significant responsibilities on local authorities when they manage infrastructure or construction projects. Just like private developers, local authorities are classified as the waste producers for any project they oversee, meaning they bear full legal responsibility for managing waste in compliance with strict environmental regulations.

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.

The Circular Economy and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2022 has brought significant changes to how the construction industry in Ireland must manage its waste. Despite this, many in the sector seem unaware of the substantial legal responsibilities now placed upon them. If you are a contractor, subcontractor, or part of the broader construction industry, it’s time to take note: you are responsible for the waste generated from your projects, and where it ends up, and failure to comply could have serious consequences.

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:

The construction industry is under increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices, particularly as governments and financial institutions tie green funding to strict environmental standards. One of the most crucial aspects of achieving compliance with these standards is proper waste tracking. The EU Taxonomy Regulation (2020/852) sets out clear technical screening criteria that construction projects must meet to qualify for green funding. Proper waste management and resource use monitoring are essential for demonstrating compliance and securing investment. Here’s why.

UK companies may be affected by the CSRD in the following scenarios:

1. Listed Securities: Companies with securities listed on an EU regulated market must comply with CSRD reporting obligations, regardless of their location.

2. EU Net Turnover: Companies with an EU net turnover exceeding €150 million over the past two consecutive years are subject to the CSRD if they have:

   • An EU subsidiary that is a large undertaking or has listed securities, or

   • An EU branch generating over €40 million in turnover in the previous financial year.

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.