Ireland is one of many countries that have pledged to decarbonise their energy sectors by 2050.

• Targets have been set for large scale deployment of variable renewable energy sources, notably wind and solar.
• Incentive schemes have been put in place to encourage a switch away from fossil fuels to heat pumps for heating.
• Transport is slowly, but inexorably, shifting from oil-based fuels to battery electric vehicles (BEVs).
• Various interventions are being tested on farms to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from Ireland’s agriculture industry.

Even if all the interim 2030 targets for the various sectors are met in Ireland, a recent report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concludes that Ireland will, at best, achieve a reduction in GHG emissions of 29% (compared to 2018 levels) instead of a targeted reduction of 51%. This assumes that all planned actions are implemented on or ahead of schedule – a very challenging outcome. The effectiveness of the Irish emissions reduction programme in terms of meeting interim 2030 targets is now questionable and will be addressed in future Academy reports. This report is focussed on the use of green hydrogen gas produced by electrolysing water using renewable electricity to assist in the decarbonisation process in Ireland.