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Built for Better: ESG Insights for Construction
Your update on environmental, social and governance developments
As the construction industry continues to embrace sustainability, CIF’s ESG Committee 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.
20.10.2025
Autumn Newsletter 2025
Welcome to the autumn 2025 CIF ESG Newsletter
As the construction industry continues to embrace sustainability, CIF’s ESG Committee 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.
CIF members complete phase 1 of ‘Building an Inclusive Future Initiative’
Groundbreaking data-led programme to shape the future of workplace culture in construction
Thanks to all the firms that completed the first phase of our inaugural inclusion survey, which closed on 15th August. This survey examined organisational data, including workforce metrics, leadership, training and development, benefits, engagement practices, and corporate social responsibility.
Read more about some of the key findings here.
Building an Inclusive Future: Employee survey now open
Following phase 1 of our survey to employers, we’re asking employees across Ireland’s construction industry to share their experiences of work as part of the ‘Building an Inclusive Future Initiative 2025’.
Your feedback will help create a clearer picture of representation, culture, and engagement across the sector. All responses are completely anonymous and confidential. Have your say by completing the survey here.
Sustainability initiatives in the news
From net-zero housing and biodiversity in design to safety leadership, women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), and mental health fundraising, CIF members have continued to show leadership across all pillars of ESG.
Read a roundup of standout initiatives and achievements shared by member firms over the past quarter here.
STEM Passport for Inclusion – call for construction mentors
With the support of CIF, the STEM Passport for Inclusion (STEMP) programme at Maynooth University is inviting professionals from across the construction sector to become mentors and help inspire the next generation of talent.
Over the next two years, STEMP will engage 5,000 students from DEIS schools, YouthReach and lone parent programmes nationwide. Its mission is to ensure every student, regardless of background, leaves school STEM-prepared and with the confidence to consider future careers in STEM and construction.
Mentors from construction, engineering, and related fields will play a pivotal role by sharing real-world experience and guidance. To prepare for this, all new mentors complete six hours of training – including child safeguarding and a five-hour Mentoring for Equality module. Mentoring then involves 3–5 hours of direct engagement with students, along with time for preparation and reflection. The overall commitment is approximately 15 hours in the first year, reducing to around 9 hours in subsequent years.
The next online training session is now open: 5 November 2025 (mentoring Jan–Apr 2026) – register here.
New LGMA Guidance on Waste Recovery and Landfill Levy
September marked an important milestone in the phasing-in of the Waste Recovery Levy (WRL) and the continued application of the Landfill Levy (LL) to Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste. The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), through its Waste Programme Coordination Office, has published new Guidance for Industry, FAQs, and a Quarterly Return Form to support compliance.
The changes follow the phased removal of exemptions for C&D waste under recent statutory instruments (S.I. No. 189/2015, S.I. No. 441/2024, and S.I. No. 442/2024). For members, the most immediate impacts are:
- Mixed skips containing concrete, brick, timber, plastics or packaging now attract the levy, requiring segregation at source.
- From January 2025, a €10/tonne levy applies to greenfield soil and stone at municipal landfills and for export.
- From September 2025, large EPA-licensed recovery facilities will be included, with smaller local authority facilities following in March 2026.
The levies are designed to move C&D waste up the hierarchy, away from low-value backfilling and disposal, and toward reuse and recycling. Notably, materials meeting Article 27 by-product or End-of-Waste criteria are not subject to the levy.
Digital grant supports are now open to more CIF members
Good news for SMEs: Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) now support businesses with 1–50 employees (not just micro firms). That brings a large cohort of CIF members into scope for practical help to boost productivity, digitise operations, and strengthen ESG/WLC data.
Read more about the eligibility and how to apply here.
STEM Teacher Internship Programme
The 2025 STEM Teacher Internship (STInt) Programme is in full swing, with 62 primary and post-primary teachers working in STEM roles across Ireland this summer. For eight to 12 weeks, these teachers are embedded in sectors ranging from technology and pharma to construction and finance, gaining hands-on industry experience to bring back to their classrooms. Interns this year represent all seven Irish universities and are hosted by a wide range of returning and new industry partners.
Now well underway, interns are already contributing meaningfully, from AI projects and branding strategies to environmental testing and productivity solutions. The STInt Programme helps industry address future skills shortages by strengthening links between education and enterprise. It also plays a role in closing the gender gap in STEM, by ensuring that all students, especially girls, are taught by educators with up-to-date STEM knowledge, real-world insights, and clear visibility of career pathways.
Want to learn more or considering hosting some interns? Visit stemteacherinternships.ie or contact [email protected].
Renewable Heat Obligation Approved
The Irish Government has formally approved the Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO) – a landmark policy that will require suppliers of heating fuels to include a rising proportion of renewable heat in their overall energy mix. Set to commence in 2026, the RHO mirrors the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) and is designed to stimulate market demand for renewable gases, particularly biomethane.
Under the scheme, obligated fuel suppliers – such as Bord Gáis Energy, Energia, and other gas or LPG providers – must ensure that 1.5% of the heat they supply is renewable in year one, increasing to 3% in year two. A comprehensive review in year three (2028) will guide more ambitious targets thereafter. The RHO aims to support Ireland’s decarbonisation goals under the Climate Action Plan while providing long-term market certainty for investors.
One of the most promising outcomes is the expected acceleration in anaerobic digestion (AD) plant construction, as biomethane becomes central to meeting obligation thresholds. Civil engineering can account for up to 30% of total AD plant costs, offering new commercial opportunities for CECA members and other contractors with infrastructure delivery expertise. Gas Networks Ireland will play a key enabling role through grid injection and certification infrastructure, but it is the heating fuel suppliers who carry the legal obligation to source renewable heat.
As the scheme progresses, CIF will monitor implications for members and advocate for enabling measures to support supply chain readiness.
VSME: EC recommends a lighter reporting route for SMEs
On 30 July 2025, the European Commission (EC) issued a recommendation encouraging smaller companies to adopt the Voluntary SME Sustainability Reporting Standard (VSME). The goal is to reduce the burden on SMEs receiving sustainability data requests from larger, CSRD-reporting clients and lenders.
Read more about what this means.
EU’s Omnibus Simplification Process – Revised exposure drafts of ESRS report standards
On 31 July 2025, the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) published exposure drafts proposing a streamlined version of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). The consultation runs until 29 September 2025, after which EFRAG will advise the European Commission on possible amendments to the ESRS Delegated Act.
At a high level, the drafts aim to cut complexity while preserving decision-useful information. Mandatory datapoints are reduced substantially (around half fewer), with non-essential “may disclose” content moved into separate Non-Mandatory Illustrative Guidance. The package also clarifies core principles – introducing an explicit fair-presentation requirement – and simplifies double materiality, including an option to start with a top-down assessment before drilling into details.
Climate and environmental disclosures remain central but more focused. The climate standard proposes aligning greenhouse-gas reporting with a financial-control boundary (with additional explanation where needed for fair presentation), while environmental topics are consolidated to avoid duplication and allow more pragmatic aggregation where appropriate.
Nothing changes immediately: the existing ESRS continue to apply until any amendments are formally adopted. In the meantime, organisations may wish to test a leaner, top-down materiality process, review how a financial-control GHG boundary would affect targets and baselines, and identify areas where illustrative guidance could support more transparent, more decision-relevant reporting.
Carbon Calculator: Scaling up emissions measurement
Adoption of the CIF Carbon Calculator continues to increase, with over 400 companies using the free version and 11 now registered for full Scope 3 emissions tracking. As more subcontractors and suppliers join, the tool is becoming a vital enabler of consistent carbon measurement across the industry.
Available free to all organisations, the calculator enables users to track emissions, align with climate targets, and enhance competitiveness in public and private tenders. Importantly, the CIF Carbon Calculator also establishes a foundation for future compliance with SEAI’s emerging Life-Cycle Global Warming Potential (GWP) methodology under the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). By encouraging early engagement with emissions data and building internal capacity to measure and report, the tool acts as a baseline platform from which more detailed, project-specific GWP calculations can develop.
Modern Slavery – Free virtual conference (Supply Chain Sustainability School)
Venue: Online (Zoom) | Date & time: Tue, 2 Dec 2025, 10:00–11:30 Cost: Free
Modern slavery and labour exploitation can surface anywhere in our sector’s operations and supply chains. This free virtual conference will provide construction leaders, project teams, and suppliers with a clear and practical understanding of what modern slavery is, where risks arise, and how to respond confidently.
What you’ll learn:
- What modern slavery is and the current trends and risk landscape
- How to recognise warning signs in day-to-day operations and supply chains
- Clarity on the Irish legislative context and the broader global picture
- How to start/strengthen due diligence, plus free tools and resources
- Tips on competency frameworks and training needs across your organisation
Who should attend?
Anyone who needs to build understanding – from ESG leads and procurement to site management, HR, and supplier partners. Click here to register.
Final words
As we continue to advance sustainability within the construction industry, the CIF ESG Committee remains committed to providing you with the essential tools and support for success. We encourage you to engage with these resources, share your feedback, and collaborate with us to shape a sustainable and inclusive future for our industry.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected]. Together, we can build a better tomorrow.
Stay connected,
PJ Ryan
Head of ESG, Construction Industry Federation
Summer Newsletter 2025
08.07.2025
Summer Newsletter 2025
Welcome to the summer 2025 CIF ESG newsletter
As we continue to push the boundaries of sustainability and inclusion in the construction sector, the CIF is proud to share the latest advancements and initiatives designed to strengthen the future of our industry. From launching the Building an Inclusive Future Initiative in partnership with inclusio, to empowering SMEs with simplified sustainability reporting, we are committed to supporting our members in navigating the evolving regulatory landscape.
This edition highlights some of the most impactful updates and practical tools that will help our members stay ahead of key changes, drive environmental innovation, and create a more inclusive and sustainable construction workforce.
CIF launches ‘Building an Inclusive Future Initiative’
Groundbreaking data-led programme to shape the future of workplace culture in construction.
The CIF is taking bold steps to understand and strengthen the lived experience of the individuals who power Ireland’s construction sector. Developed in partnership with inclusio, the Building an Inclusive Future initiative will gather high-quality, anonymised data from our membership to create a clearer picture of what it is truly like to work in our industry today.
Sustainability initiatives in the news
As sustainability becomes central to Ireland’s built environment, our members are stepping forward with tangible, high-impact initiatives. From pioneering regulatory firsts, such as CSRD reporting, to deploying cutting-edge green technology—from Passive House developments to electric construction machinery—these efforts reflect a shared shift from ambition to measurable action in the race to net zero.
Read the top eight updates here.
EU sustainability rules: Clarity emerging through omnibus reforms
The second quarter of 2025 has seen significant developments in the European Union’s sustainability reporting and due diligence landscape, which have direct implications for the construction industry. These changes are driven by the EU’s Omnibus Simplification Package (OSP), aimed at rebalancing the ambition of the Green Deal with the practical realities of business compliance.
Empowering SMEs with simplified sustainability reporting
On 7 April 2025, the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) hosted its high-profile “VSME in Action” event in Brussels, spotlighting the growing role of the Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for non-listed SMEs (VSME). The initiative, part of the EU’s broader SME Relief Package and Omnibus Simplification proposals, aims to streamline ESG reporting for Europe’s 24 million SMEs.
Read the key takeaways from the event here.
Deforestation-free supply chains: CIF guidance on EUDR
To help members prepare for the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), CIF has published tailored guidance for contractors. Replacing the EU Timber Regulation, EUDR will apply from December 2025 for large firms and from June 2026 for SMEs. It requires that materials like timber, rubber, paper, and leather are deforestation-free and legally sourced.
The guidance explains how to determine whether you are an “operator” (with full due diligence responsibilities) or a “trader,” and outlines steps for collecting geolocation data, updating contracts, and managing supplier relationships.
Construction waste: New guidance on Articles 27 and 28
In late June, CIF released practical guidance for managing construction and demolition waste under Articles 27 (by-product) and 28 (end-of-waste). The document provides contractors with step-by-step support in classifying, testing, and documenting materials such as soil, stone, and recycled aggregates, helping to reduce landfill use, avoid waste recovery and landfill levies, and promote circularity.
Organised into three main pathways—greenfield, brownfield, and recycled aggregates—the guide includes “watch-it” cautions, testing protocols, and regulatory reminders. It also aligns with national circular economy goals and will be updated as new developments emerge, such as the forthcoming Recycled Aggregates Quality Protocol. Available here.
Carbon Calculator: Scaling up emissions measurement
Adoption of the CIF Carbon Calculatorcontinues to grow, with over 350 firms using the free version and 11 now signed up for full Scope 3 emissions tracking.
Free to all organisations, the calculator equips users to monitor emissions, align with climate goals, and improve competitiveness in public and private tenders. It also helps firms prepare for the upcoming requirement to report on embodied carbon in buildings and infrastructure.
The Carbon Calculator also lays the groundwork for future compliance with Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland’s (SEAI’s) emerging Life-Cycle Global Warming Potential (GWP) methodology under the recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).
Final words
As we continue to advance sustainability within the construction industry, the CIF ESG Committee remains committed to providing you with the essential tools and support for success. We encourage you to engage with these resources, share your feedback, and collaborate with us to shape a sustainable and inclusive future for our industry.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected]. Together, we can build a better tomorrow.
Stay connected,
PJ Ryan
Head of ESG, Construction Industry Federation
Spring Newsletter 2025
28.03.2025
Spring Newsletter 2025
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
Staff
PJ Ryan
Head of ESG
PJ will support the development of policy and associated services for the CIF’s membership to enable them to address the critical pillars of ESG and corporate sustainability obligations and develop their business strategies, plans and actions. PJ has worked in a sustainability role since 2008, mainly in the M&E sector as a consulting engineer, where he has managed teams responsible for sustainability modelling, compliance with building energy regulations and third-party rating schemes such as LEED, BREEAM & WELL. Before this, he worked with Bechtel and the DAA on embedding the DAA’s mandatory sustainable requirements in the capital infrastructure projects for Dublin Airport, and in helping to map out their route to 2030 and net zero. He is a Chartered Engineer with the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CEng MCIBSE) and a Registered Consulting Engineer (RConsEI) with the Association of Consulting Engineers Ireland (ACEI). In 2021, as convenor of the ACEI Sustainability Committee, he launched the Pledge to Net Zero campaign to get Consulting Engineering firms to practice what they preach concerning science-based reductions with 50% absolute reductions by 2030. PJ is passionate about reducing the current climate emergency’s worst effects and believes everyone can play their part.
