47
CHAPTER 5
Reducing Residential Carbon Emissions
in Ireland: Challenges and Policy Responses
Gary Goggins, Frances Fahy and Eimear Heaslip
Abstract Carbon emissions from the residential sector in Ireland are
higher than the European average and are rising. This is a concern in
a country already struggling to meet its agreed climate targets. In this
chapter, the authors highlight key trends that underpin household
energy use in Ireland and undertake a critical examination of related
energy policy, with particular attention to the role of the consumer.
They find a broad objective to place the consumer at the forefront of
Ireland’s energy transition, but specific detail of how complex social and
technical changes will be realised are lacking. The chapter concludes with
a case study demonstrating how sustainable energy initiatives can bring
together multiple actors with the common aim to address fuel poverty
and lower carbon emissions.
© The Author(s) 2019
F. Fahy et al. (eds.), Energy Demand Challenges in Europe,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20339-9_5
G. Goggins (*) · F. Fahy · E. Heaslip
School of Geography and Archaeology and Ryan Institute,
National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
e-mail: gary.goggins@nuigalway.ie
F. Fahy
e-mail: frances.fahy@nuigalway.ie
E. Heaslip
e-mail: eimear.heaslip@nuigalway.ie
CHAPTER 5
Reducing Residential Carbon Emissions
in Ireland: Challenges and Policy Responses
Gary Goggins, Frances Fahy and Eimear Heaslip
Abstract Carbon emissions from the residential sector in Ireland are
higher than the European average and are rising. This is a concern in
a country already struggling to meet its agreed climate targets. In this
chapter, the authors highlight key trends that underpin household
energy use in Ireland and undertake a critical examination of related
energy policy, with particular attention to the role of the consumer.
They find a broad objective to place the consumer at the forefront of
Ireland’s energy transition, but specific detail of how complex social and
technical changes will be realised are lacking. The chapter concludes with
a case study demonstrating how sustainable energy initiatives can bring
together multiple actors with the common aim to address fuel poverty
and lower carbon emissions.
© The Author(s) 2019
F. Fahy et al. (eds.), Energy Demand Challenges in Europe,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20339-9_5
G. Goggins (*) · F. Fahy · E. Heaslip
School of Geography and Archaeology and Ryan Institute,
National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
e-mail: gary.goggins@nuigalway.ie
F. Fahy
e-mail: frances.fahy@nuigalway.ie
E. Heaslip
e-mail: eimear.heaslip@nuigalway.ie