Your update on Environmental, Social & Governance developments
As the construction industry continues to embrace sustainability, the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) is delighted to bring you the latest updates, resources, and success stories from across our membership. Whether you’re starting your ESG journey or refining your approach, this newsletter is packed with insights and tools to help you thrive.
Spotlight on the ESG Committee
The CIF ESG Committee comprises experts from across industry who are passionate about driving sustainable practices and creating meaningful change. Over the past year, the committee has developed several initiatives to help members navigate the complexities of ESG compliance and implementation. Read about these initiatives through the ESG Hub resources.
Women in Construction
The CIF hosted its annual International Women’s Day Summit on 7 March 2025 at Johnstown House Estate, Enfield. The sold-out event, themed ‘Accelerate Action’, welcomed over 650 construction professionals. A huge thank you to all our sponsors, speakers, panellists, and attendees. Check out the event highlights or watch the livestream replay.
Additionally, as CIF celebrates 90 years, we are spotlighting over 100 women shaping Ireland’s built environment. From sites to offices, their careers reflect the evolving construction industry and the vast opportunities it offers. Read about the contribution women are making here.
Carbon Reduction Success Story
CIF members are setting impressive examples of reducing carbon emissions through innovative practices. Committee member Tom O’Malley of Clancy Construction recently showcased their Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on a social housing and library project in Stillorgan, Co. Dublin, featured on RTÉ’s Six One News.
Traditionally, construction sites rely on multiple diesel generators, causing inefficiencies and excess fuel burn. At Clancy’s Stillorgan site, three generators once ran for ten hours daily. Now, through a partnership with JTM Energy, a single generator charges a 160kVA battery storing 240kWh of energy. The generator runs just five hours per day to charge the battery, with the battery powering the site. This shift significantly reduces fuel use, carbon emissions, and noise pollution. While the system required upfront investment, Clancy expects a return within 3.5 years and plans to roll it out on future sites.
Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council supported the project as part of its climate action strategy. County Architect Andrée Dargan noted benefits including better air quality and reduced noise for workers and residents. JTM Energy added that such battery systems offer cost-effective, low-emission power solutions for homes, businesses, events, and more.
CSRD Omnibus Simplification Package
The EU’s Omnibus Simplification Package (OSP) is a proposed directive to reduce regulatory burdens while maintaining the EU’s Green Deal objectives. Read more about the OSP here.
CIF DEI Survey with inclusio
The CIF is set to engage inclusio to conduct a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) survey aimed at establishing a baseline for the industry. This initiative, led by the ESG Committee’s Diversity Working Group, aims to assess how representative member firms are of the communities they serve and to understand employee experiences of workplace culture, with a focus on identifying barriers to retention and career progression for women. It also seeks to promote best practices by capturing successful DEI strategies, enabling data-driven decision-making through reliable insights, and establishing a 2025 baseline for annual progress tracking.
Delivered via an inclusive, gamified, and GDPR-compliant platform, the 8–10-minute survey will cover seven key areas. The initiative will culminate in an annual “Voice of Construction” report from H2 2025, providing industry benchmarks and case studies.
Roadmap for Small Builders to Transition to Green Finance or Transition Finance Project
The CIF is collaborating with the Irish Green Building Council (IGBC) and other key stakeholders on a Construct Innovate project to develop a streamlined green rating scheme. This initiative aims to support small to medium-sized homebuilders in accessing preferential financing based on the sustainability credentials of their projects.
The Transition Finance (TF) project—backed by Construct Innovate, HBFI, and Ardcairn Capital—aims to make sustainable finance more accessible to small construction firms, enabling them to build certified energy-efficient homes. By developing a tiered certification pathway, the project will allow builders to qualify at various levels based on their capabilities, gradually improving their sustainability practices and unlocking eligibility for preferential development loans. This responds to challenges faced by SMEs, who generate over 80% of the construction sector turnover but struggle with the complexity and cost of existing schemes like the Home Performance Index (HPI).
Request for SME Homebuilder input
We are currently seeking SME homebuilders to participate in a series of three workshops to help refine and finalise the scheme’s criteria. The project will run until December 2025.
Waste Levies: Reminder
Construction companies are reminded that the second phase of the levy introduction started on January 1st for greenfield soil and stone going to municipal landfills, now subject to a €10 per tonne levy. The next key date is September 1st, 2025, when large EPA-licensed facilities will charge the levy, followed by smaller Local Authority (WFP/COR) type facilities on 1st March 2026. The levy can be avoided where Article 27 or 28 is achieved. Feedback from the industry on the new approval process with the local authority is welcome.
Wrapping Up, But Keeping ESG in Focus
As we continue to advance sustainability within the construction industry, the CIF ESG Committee remains committed to providing you with the tools and support needed to succeed. We encourage you to engage with these resources, share your feedback, and collaborate with us on shaping a sustainable, inclusive future for our industry.
If you have any questions or ideas, please reach out to us at [email protected].
Stay connected,
PJ Ryan
Head of ESG, Construction Industry Federation
