Publications
Publications listing
| Category | Category | Keywords | Year | Title | Abstract | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Book chapter |
Book chapter | Decarbnisation, Climate Change, Renewable Energy, Ireland, Energy Transition | 2024 |
Ireland's State of the Environment Report 2024 - Chapter 12 - Environment and Energy |
Ireland’s energy supply and demand is currently undergoing accelerated changes driven by increased climate policy ambitions and by economic and geopolitical trends. The policy responses that followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the resulting increases in energy prices highlighted our dependency on imported fossil fuels and the need to improve our energy security. This further emphasised the urgency of accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels in Ireland and towards using cleaner and more renewable energy sources to support decarbonisation, protect against volatile energy prices and secure Ireland’s future energy supply. | More details Read publication |
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Book chapter |
Book chapter | Sustainable Development Goals, Ireland, Climate Action Plans, Decarbonisation | 2024 |
Translating Research Results into Policy Insights to Underpin Climate Action in Ireland |
This chapter presents innovative processes that have been developed and used to bridge the interface between the research ecosystem and policy-making ecosystem. It focuses on a specific case study, namely how energy systems modelling has been used to inform energy and climate mitigation policies in Ireland. We trace the development of energy systems modelling tools and capacity in Ireland over the past 15 years, and the key role it has played in addressing important policy questions related to delivery of a number of UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). | More details Read publication |
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Journal Article |
Journal Article | Energy Systems Optimisation model, Ireland, Residential, Heat pumps, Thermal efficiency | 2024 |
Advancing Cost Optimal Residential Decarbonisation Pathways: An Examination of Heat Pumps and Thermal Efficiency |
In Ireland, residential energy policy has been influenced by thermal inefficiency, high electricity prices and energy poverty. These factors have driven the fabric-first approach, where buildings must undergo extensive thermal retrofitting to qualify for heat pump subsidies. The cost-effectiveness of this approach has not been properly scrutinised to date. This paper addresses this knowledge gap by exploring the cost-effectiveness of the fabric-first approach and other decarbonisation strategies for the residential sector and broader energy system. | More details Read publication |
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Journal Article |
Journal Article | Energy Justice, Energy Poverty, Energy Transition, Energy Vulnerable | 2024 |
A systematic review of the lived experiences of the energy vulnerable: where are the research gaps. |
This paper's systematic review of research on the lived experiences of the energy vulnerable reveals 46 peer-reviewed articles published between 2011 and 2021. Its review highlights diverse approaches to exploring energy vulnerability, the range of vulnerable groups investigated and different motivations for focusing on lived experiences. The results point to a number of key gaps in the literature in terms of definitions and terminologies, geographic coverage, gender, life stage (specifically children), ethnicity (ethnic minorities absent) and ability (people with disabilities are a further gap). It concludes that there is a need for more context-specific, mixed-methods and longitudinal studies in this area. Having identified gaps in the literature, it recommends how some of these can be addressed and reflects on how studies focused on the lived experience of energy poverty should advance. | More details Read publication |
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Journal Article |
Journal Article | 2024 |
Is District Heating a cost effective solution to decarbonise Irish buildings? |
This pioneering study explores supply sources and heat density demand cohorts to develop a model to understand district heating in a low-deployment region, using Ireland as a case study. We also conduct a sensitivity analysis considering different connection rates. | More details Read publication | |
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Journal Article |
Journal Article | Decarbonisation, Ireland, Net Zero, Energy Systems, Energy Modelling, Climate Change | 2024 |
Dispersed settlement patterns can hinder the net-zero transition: Evidence from Ireland. |
Limiting the growth of final energy demand helps meet the steep greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction trajectories required to address climate change, and can also bring wider sustainability benefits. Integrated Assessment Modelling (IAM) and energy systems modelling analyses are increasingly including low energy demand (LED) measures in GHG mitigation scenarios, but their granularity and empirical basis is typically low, limiting actionable insights. Here, we contribute to addressing this gap by examining the role of spatial settlement patterns as a driver of energy service demand, particularly in the transport and residential sectors. We focus on Ireland, which has enacted ambitious decarbonisation commitments in law, that are challenging to deliver partially due to a large proportion of the population living in rural one-off housing. | More details Read publication |
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Journal Article |
Journal Article | Energy, Models, Retrofit, Residential, Decarbonisation, Ireland, Climate Policy | 2019 |
Improving energy savings from a residential retrofit policy: a new model to inform better retrofit decisions (2019) Energy and Buildings |
Improving energy savings from a residential retrofit policy with better retfofit designs | More details Read publication |
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Presentation - research |
Presentation - research | Retrofit, Ireland, Climate Action Plan, BER, B2, Domestic, Residential, Challenges, Opportunities, Deep Retrofitting | 2020 |
MaREI Retrofitting Homes Symposium |
Researchers from the MaREI Centre will share their insights into the challenges and opportunities faced to effectively retrofit the residential building stock in Ireland. | More details Read publication |
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Presentation - research |
Presentation - research | Net Zero, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Renewable Energy, Climate Policy, Ireland | 2020 |
Should we aim for zero CO2 or 100% RES |
Moving to net zero GHG emissions by 2050 | More details Read publication |
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Presentation - research |
Presentation - research | COVID-19, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Ireland, Climate Policy | 2020 |
Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Ireland's GHG Emissions |
Researchers assess the impacts of COVID-19 Lockdown on Ireland's Greenhouse Gas Emissions | More details Read publication |
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Journal Article |
Journal Article | Energy Efficiency, Residential, Ireland, Emissions, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Climate, Energy Policy | 2020 |
Residential stock data and dataset on energy efficiency characteristics of residential building fabrics in Ireland |
This article presents 3 data sources which are utilised in conjunction with a detailed energy system model of the residential sector to explore policy pathways for residential retrofitting | More details Read publication |
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Journal Article |
Journal Article | TIMES Model, Ireland, Decarbonisation, Energy System Analysis, Scenarios, Carbon Capture and Storage, CCS, Bioenergy, Climate Neutral 2050 | 2020 |
Identifying decarbonisation opportunities using marginal abatement cost curves and energy system scenario ensembles |
This research explores decarbonization options using an innovative analytical approach that combines energy systems analysis and marginal abatement cost curves (MACCs). System-wide MACCs are derived using scenario ensembles from Irish TIMES energy systems model. | More details Read publication |
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Report |
Report | Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Ireland, Decarbonisation, Emissions, Irish Transportation Sector, Vehicles, Renewable Transport, Least Cost Optimisation | 2020 |
Opportunities to Decarbonise the Irish Transportation Sector |
This report describes the findings from tools and models, outlining some of the options for long-term decarbonisation in the Irish transport sector | More details Read publication |
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Report |
Report | TIMES Ireland Model, Policy, Environment, Net Zero GHG Emissions, Climate Mitigation, Energy Technology, Energy Transition | 2020 |
The role of energy technology in climate mitigation in Ireland: Irish TIMES Phase 3 |
The Irish TIMES (The Integrated MARKAL-EFOM System) Phase 3 project evaluates the role of energy technology in climate mitigation in Ireland | More details Read publication |
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Journal Article |
Journal Article | TIMES Ireland Model, Policy, Environment, Net Zero GHG Emissions, Climate Mitigation, Energy Technology, Energy Transition | 2020 |
Least cost energy system pathways towards 100% renewable energy in Ireland by 2050 |
This paper therefore undertakes a whole-system approach and explores optimal pathways towards 100% renewable energy by 2050. The analysis is carried out for Ireland, which currently has the highest share of variable renewable electricity on a synchronous power system. | More details Read publication |
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Presentation - research |
Presentation - research | Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Ireland, Decarbonisation, Emissions, Irish Transportation Sector, Vehicles, Renewable Transport, Least Cost | 2021 |
How and why we travel, mobility demand and emissions from passenger transport |
This paper develops the novel open-source Irish Passenger Transport Emissions and Mobility (IPTEM) Model and uses it to calculate passenger transport demand by trip mode, purpose, and distance over the period of 2009 – 2019. | More details Read publication |
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Journal Article |
Journal Article | Energy Transition, Climate Policy, Ireland, Retrofit, EV's, Technology Policy Solutions, Climate Change | 2022 |
Achieving the unprecedented: Modelling diffusion pathways for ambitious climate policy targets |
Ireland has some very bold targets, as part of a substantial overall greenhouse gas emissions reduction ambition. It is unclear however to what extent these targets are consistent with the pace at which new technologies can enter the market and become widely adopted. This paper grapples with this by combining well-respected and empirically validated estimates of technology diffusion together with energy models. | More details Read publication |
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Presentation - research |
Presentation - research | Ireland, Climate Policy, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Climate Targets, Energy Transition, Decarbonisation | 2022 |
Provisional GHG emissions for 2021 |
Provisional GHG emissions for 2021 in Ireland highlighting that Ireland is off track to meet climate targets | More details Read publication |
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Presentation - research |
Presentation - research | Decarbonisation, Ireland, Climate Policy, Transportation Ireland, Challenges, Interactions | 2022 |
Scale-up challenges and interaction effect of decarbonisation policy measures -focus on transport |
Scale-up challenges and interaction effect of decarbonisation policy measures -focus on transport | More details Read publication |
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Presentation - research |
Presentation - research | Energy Security, Energy Supply, Ireland, Fossil Fuels, Decarbonisation, Climate Policy | 2022 |
Energy and Security of Supply |
The current geopolitical situation requires Ireland to re-evaluate our energy security position in relation to gas and gas infrastructure | More details Read publication |
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Presentation - research |
Presentation - research | Energy Systems, Decarbonisation, Climate Policy, Ireland, Economic Growth | 2022 |
How can lower energy demand help Ireland achieve its climate targets |
Mitigation pathways describe future emissions that keep global warming below specific temperature limits, Current mitigation scenarios are biased towards growth and technology fixes. Demand side is not well-represented in energy system models due to its complex nature | More details Read publication |
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Presentation - research |
Presentation - research | Carbon Budgets, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Ireland, LULUCF, Challenges | 2022 |
The challenge of allocating Irelands carbon budget among sectors |
The Irish Government is currently deliberating on how to allocate nationally-adopted carbon budgets among sectors, a task which is understandably causing heated debates. The key debate is what carbon budget will be allocated to the agriculture sector, which is worth around 40% of overall greenhouse gas emissions (depending on how land use emission, “LULUCF”, is taken into account). | More details Read publication |
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Journal Article |
Journal Article | Low Energy Demand Scenario, Energy Systems Modelling Ireland, Decarbonisation, Mitigation, Pathways, Emissions | 2022 |
Low energy demand scenario for feasible deep decarbonisation-whole energy systems modelling for Ireland |
The Irish Low Energy Demand (ILED) mitigation narrative is developed and applied to the TIMES-Ireland Model (TIM), an energy systems optimisation model. ILED represents a scenario where ESDs are decoupled from economic growth by shifting travel, increasing end-use efficiency, densifying urban settlement, focusing on low-energy intensive economic activities and changing social infrastructure. | More details Read publication |
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Journal Article |
Journal Article | Carbon Transport Modes, Irish Passenger Transport Emissions and Mobility Model, Times Ireland Model | 2022 |
How and why we travel - mobility demand and emissions from passenger transport |
The paper quantifies energy consumption and emissions intensities, and for the first time for Ireland, passenger transport occupancy rates. The findings quantify missed targets in walking and cycling uptake rates. | More details Read publication |
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Journal Article |
Journal Article | Emissions, Electric Vehicle Projections, Policy Measures, Decarbonisation | 2022 |
Securing supplies for an electric future |
In-depth assessment of the EV battery supply chain and reviews government targets and strategies in this area. It assesses charging infrastructure development targets in key regions. | More details Read publication |
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Journal Article |
Journal Article | Decarbonisation, Ireland, Climate Policy, Transportation Ireland, Challenges, Interactions, Light Duty Vehicles, TIMES Ireland Model | 2022 |
Decarbonisation of passenger light duty vehicles using spatially resolved TIMES-Ireland Model |
Existing multi-regional national scale energy systems optimisation models (ESOMs) facilitate an improved understanding of spatial dynamics. Yet, region-specific characteristics of transport technologies and infrastructures along with consumer heterogeneity have remained under-investigated. The current paper addresses this gap by developing a multi-regional transport sector within the system-wide TIMES-Ireland Model (TIM). | More details Read publication |
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Journal Article |
Journal Article | Passenger Transport Demand, Fuel Consumption, Irish Passenger Transport Emissions and Mobility Model | 2022 |
Passenger transport demand, fuel consumption, and emissions data for the Irish Passenger Transport Emissions and Mobility (IPTEM) model |
The model and the underlying data, details the passenger transport demand by trip purpose (work, shopping, education etc.,), mode type (car, rail, bus, cycling, walking) and trip distance for Ireland over the period of 2009–2019. Passenger occupancy rates for public transport modes in Ireland, CO2 emissions intensities and annual CO2 emissions are also included in the Data in Brief. | More details Read publication |
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Journal Article |
Journal Article | Energy Modelling, TIMES Ireland Model, Least Cost Optimisation, Energy Transition, Climate Policy | 2022 |
TIM modelling pathways to meet Irelands long term energy system challenges with the TIMES Ireland Model |
Energy systems optimisation modelling (ESOM) is a widely used tool to inform pathways to address long-term energy challenges. This article describes a new ESOM developed to inform Ireland's energy system decarbonisation challenge. | More details Read publication |
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Policy brief |
Policy brief | Sectoral Emission Ceilings, Ireland, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Carbon Budgets | 2022 |
Analysis on the implication of sectoral emissions ceilings |
Based on EPA GHG inventory data for 2022, what annual GHG emissions are consistent with sectoral emissions ceilings for the remainder of Carbon Budget 1 and for Carbon Budget 2? | More details Read publication |
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Journal Article |
Journal Article | Irish Car Stock Model, Emissions, Transport, Private Cars, Tax, Regulations | 2022 |
Impact of an emissions-based car tax policy on CO2 emissions and tax revenue from private cars in Ireland |
This article assesses private car CO2 emissions and car tax revenue in Ireland over the 10-year period following the introduction of an emissions-based car taxation policy in 2008. This article assesses private car CO2 emissions and car tax revenue in Ireland over the 10-year period following the introduction of an emissions-based car taxation policy in 2008. We build on a model of the Irish car stock, which has new car sales, car fleet mileage, and CO2 emissions intensity data to develop a bottom-up picture of historic CO2 emissions from the car fleet. In this article, we develop a counterfactual scenario following car purchasing trends in EU countries that did not introduce an emissions-based purchase and annual car taxes over the same period. | More details Read publication |
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Journal Article |
Journal Article | Policy Simulation, Carbon Budgets, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Sectoral Emission Ceilings, Biofuel, EVs | 2023 |
Policy simulation modelling to inform national carbon budget pathways |
Carbon budgets are emerging as a key policy tool to set cumulative targets on greenhouse gas emissions at a national and international level. In this paper, we develop a methodology for simulation modelling of energy demand and carbon dioxide (CO2eq.) emissions to assess the implication of different scenarios on sectoral emissions ceilings and carbon budgets. We demonstrate how this simulation modelling approach to carbon budgets applies to Ireland's Climate Action Bill, which sets a legal obligation to keep within defined sectoral emission ceilings. | More details Read publication |
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Journal Article |
Journal Article | Decarbonisation, TIMES Ireland Model, Pathways, Energy System Optimisation Models, Residential Sector | 2023 |
Developing decarbonisation pathways in changing TIMES for Irish homes |
This paper presents a new model of the residential sector within an energy systems optimisation model (ESOM), which is developed using an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) database and measured energy consumption data, allowing for the heterogeneous depiction of the housing stock. | More details Read publication |
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Journal Article |
Journal Article | Energy Security, Energy Supply, Ireland, Fossil Fuels, Decarbonisation, Climate Policy, Power System | 2023 |
Storage research key to reliability |
Energy security and climate action must be delivered in parallel to achieve a reliable and affordable future power system | More details Read publication |
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Report |
Report | Energy Transition, Climate Policy, Ireland, Technology Policy Solutions, Climate Change | 2024 |
Ireland's Climate Change Assessment Report - Realising the benefits of transition and transformation |
The benefits, opportunities and synergies that can be achieved through transformation, and how they can be realised. This volume is a state of the knowledge assessment that draws on global synthesis literature, including the IPCC and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), international peer-reviewed and grey literature to identify key characteristics of transformative change. It explores the emergence of these characteristics in the national context. Knowledge gaps are highlighted to inform and enhance research related to transformations in Ireland | More details Read publication |
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Report |
Report | Climate Neutrality 2050, Climate Change, Emissions Reduction, Energy Use, Land Use | 2024 |
Ireland's Climate Change Assessment Report - Achieving climate neutrality by 2050 |
Addressing achieving climate neutrality by 2050 by investigating and assessing three key areas: mitigation pathways, and what form reducing emissions over time may take; assessing the factors that may constitute and result in a climate neutral society, including energy use, land use and the emissions landscape; and finally, assessing the enablers that may make change possible by building on societal dimensions and investigating policy implications. | More details Read publication |
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Journal Article |
Journal Article | Decarbonisation, Road Freight Transport, Emissions, Trucks, Cost | 2024 |
Decarbonising road freight transport - the role of zero emission trucks and intangible costs |
This study investigates intangible costs associated with advanced electric and hydrogen-powered trucks, including recharging/refueling time, cargo capacity limitations, and buyer reluctance towards emerging technologies. Utilising a comprehensive whole-systems modelling approach considering low- and zero-emission fuels, inter-sectoral dynamics, and the carbon budget, we explore cost-optimal decarbonisation pathways for heavy, medium, and light trucks. | More details Read publication |
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Journal Article |
Journal Article | Decarbonisation, Residential Sector, Climate Neutrality, Energy Transition, Ireland | 2024 |
Advancing cost-optimal residential decarbonisation pathways, an examination of heat pumps and thermal efficiency |
In Ireland, residential energy policy has been influenced by thermal inefficiency, high electricity prices and energy poverty. These factors have driven the fabric-first approach, where buildings must undergo extensive thermal retrofitting to qualify for heat pump subsidies. The cost-effectiveness of this approach has not been properly scrutinised to date. This paper addresses this knowledge gap by exploring the cost-effectiveness of the fabric-first approach and other decarbonisation strategies for the residential sector and broader energy system. The study develops scenarios by modifying the Heat Loss Indicator (HLI) threshold, which evaluates the fabric and ventilation heat loss per unit of floor area and is used to determine heat pump subsidy eligibility. The paper also considers scenarios that permit installing sub-optimal performing heat pumps that do not achieve peak performance levels in dwellings with higher HLIs. | More details Read publication |
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Presentation |
Presentation | Energy System Transition, Climate Neutrality, Cumulative Carbon Budgets, Ireland, Energy Transition, TIMES Ireland Model | 2024 |
Energy System Transition for Climate Neutrality A Country-Level Analysis Using Cumulative Carbon Budgets |
Crucial climate goals are not being met Remaining Global Carbon Budget (GCB) for 50% chance of 1.5oC was 500 GtCO2 from 2020, currently 200 GtCO2, and likely zero without significant methane reduction or high climate sensitivity. | More details Read publication |
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Presentation |
Presentation | Decarbonisation, policy measures, CO2 emissions, Energy Transition, Climate Neutrality | 2024 |
The interaction effect of decarbonisation policy measures, quantifying the impact on energy and CO2 emissions |
More details Read publication | |
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Presentation |
Presentation | Energy Transition, Energy Systems Analysis, Government, Energy Policy, Climate Neutrality | 2024 |
How do we successfully transform energy analysis into Government policy |
7 Methods to successfully transform energy analysis into Government Policy | More details Read publication |
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Book chapter |
Book chapter | Climate Policy, Climate Neutrality, Energy Transition, Ireland | 2024 |
Translating research results into policy insights to underpin climate action in Ireland |
This chapter presents innovative processes that have been developed and used to bridge the interface between the research ecosystem and policy-making ecosystem. It focuses on a specific case study, namely how energy systems modelling has been used to inform energy and climate mitigation policies in Ireland. We trace the development of energy systems modelling tools and capacity in Ireland over the past 15 years, and the key role it has played in addressing important policy questions related to delivery of a number of UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We also outline the parallel evolution of novel research communications methods, proactive engagement programmes with policy practitioners and co-production processes. | More details Read publication |
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Journal Article |
Journal Article | Global Warming, Energy Transition, Mitigation, Carbon Budgets, Ireland | 2024 |
Implications of Accelerated and Delayed Climate Action for Ireland’s Energy Transition under Carbon Budgets |
We analyse Ireland’s mitigation pathways under equal per-capita carbon budgets using an energy systems optimisation model. Our findings reveal that delayed mitigation brings forward the need for a net-zero target by five years, risks carbon lock-in and stranded assets, increase reliance on carbon dioxide removal technologies and leads to higher long-term mitigation costs. To keep the Paris Agreement targets, countries must set and meet accelerated mid-term mitigation goals and address energy demand. | More details Read publication |