Manufacturing & Supply Chain

The Irish Green Building Council (IGBC), in partnership with Dublin Chamber, Sustainability Works, the University of Galway, and the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland, has launched a new practical and accessible set of tools to help Irish SMEs on their energy renovation journey. Commercial buildings are among the largest contributors to Ireland’s carbon emissions.

In recent years, the sector has undergone significant operational shifts, with SMEs facing a combination of financial, technical, and behavioural challenges in reducing their energy use. The new Business Energy Upgrade resources suite directly addresses these barriers, providing SMEs with practical guidance, financial tools, and real-world inspiration to act.

The suite includes:

Pat Barry, CEO of Irish Green Building Council, said: “Reducing energy consumption in commercial buildings just makes sense — it saves money, protects businesses from energy price volatility, improves indoor comfort, and enhances corporate reputation. Most importantly, it supports Ireland’s transition to a low-carbon future. The resources launched today are designed to empower business owners to take that first step with confidence, understanding the supports and solutions available to them.”

Laura Heuston, Co-Founder, Sustainability Works, speaking at the launch, said: “Energy costs are the strongest driver for SMEs looking to make energy upgrades to their premises, but unfortunately, one of the main barriers stopping them is the cost of the upgrade measures themselves. This guide, launched today, provides businesses – both owners and occupiers – with the simple and necessary information to understand how energy upgrade measures can be financed, the support available, and the business case for pursuing energy upgrades.”

Gerard O’Toole, President of the Society of Chartered Surveyors, commented: “Our goal in developing these case studies is to bring real-world clarity to SMEs, building owners, occupiers, and other stakeholders on what energy upgrades look like on the ground. By capturing the details of SME energy renovations, the SCSI is helping to raise awareness of how property upgrades can reduce both energy costs and carbon emissions. This resource also equips our members and their clients with the technical insight and practical examples needed to plan smarter, cost-effective energy renovations.” – Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland

Danuka Anagipura, Research Assistant at University of Galway, added: “Starting energy upgrades within your business is not only a step towards reducing operational costs, but also a commitment to long-term sustainability. We encourage SMEs to make full use of the toolkit to guide and support their renovation journey—from understanding energy use to planning, financing, and monitoring. This toolkit is designed to empower businesses with clear, practical, and relevant information, helping them make confident, informed decisions every step of the way.”

Maria Deady, International Department Manager, Dublin Chamber, commented: “The toolkit is an invaluable resource for SMEs, bringing together key information and guidance to assist them on their business energy upgrades journey. With general information guides, a financial handbook and case studies to learn from, a roadmap for SMEs has been created.”

The Business Energy Upgrade suite is part of the ENACT initiative, supported by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). All resources are now freely available to download at https://constructinnovate.ie/enabling-commercial-retrofit/