Driving Delivery Towards 2030 through Targeted Measures and Investment

Delivering on Ireland's 2030 climate ambitions requires more than commitment. It requires targeted investment, clear priorities and practical measures that accelerate the decarbonisation and transformation of the tertiary education estate. As institutions balance climate objectives, ageing infrastructure, evolving learner needs and finite capital resources, the focus is increasingly on the renewal, retrofit and optimisation of existing buildings to deliver measurable environmental, operational and long-term value.

This session begins with DFHERIS's Decarbonisation Plan for Ireland's tertiary education estate, outlining the targeted measures, investment priorities and strategic interventions being deployed to support the achievement of 2030 climate and energy objectives. Delegates will gain insight into how strategic investment, estate optimisation and evidence-based decision-making are being used to drive progress across a diverse education estate. An update from SEAI on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and recent changes to the Building Energy Rating (BER) framework will highlight the regulatory drivers increasingly shaping estate investment, building performance and decarbonisation programmes.

Through perspectives on estate optimisation, sustainability-led master planning and campus development from BDP, Trinity College Dublin and TU Dublin, attendees will discover how institutions are translating policy into delivery through the renewal and optimisation of existing estates, energy infrastructure projects and data-driven investment strategies. Together, these presentations will demonstrate how targeted measures, informed decision-making and strategic investment can accelerate progress towards 2030 climate goals while creating more resilient, efficient and future-ready campuses.