Context and Origin of the Roadmap
The Irish Green Building Council (IGBC) produced âBuilding a Circular Ireland â A Roadmap for a Resource Efficient Circular Built Environmentâ as part of the EPA Research Programme 2021â2030. The project received coâfunding from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and was developed with the University of Galway, Technological University Dublin and Atlantic Technological University. Over 225 stakeholders participated through workshops, focus groups and expert interviews, ensuring a broad industry perspective on circular construction in Ireland.
Core Vision for a Circular Built Environment
The roadmap outlines six strategic sections: Value our existing building stock, Plan for resource efficiency, Design for circularity, Close the materials loop, Change the business model and Enable the circular transition. It aims to shift the sector from a linear âtakeâmakeâwasteâ model to one where materials are retained, reused and recycled, supporting Irelandâs netâzero carbon targets and European Green Deal objectives.
Key Statistics on Construction Impacts
Construction accounts for 37 % of Irelandâs national emissions, with 14 % from embodied carbon and 23 % from operational carbon. Annually, 8.3 million tonnes of construction and demolition waste are generated, 35 % of the countryâs material footprint derives from the sector, and 97 % of material inputs are virgin resources. Concrete makes up 75 % of material mass and 41 % of associated COâe emissions, while metals, though only 7 % of mass, contribute 36 % of emissions.
Reducing Vacancy and Underâuse
The roadmap targets a 10 % initial reduction in vacant properties, followed by a 50â75 % reduction in underâuse by 2040. Policies will incentivise adaptive reuse, intensify occupancy and support multiâuse developments, addressing the 7.74 % residential vacancy rate recorded in 2022.
Resource Efficiency and Material Savings
Interim 2030 targets include a 10â25 % reduction in resource use below baseline levels and a minimum of 15 % recycled material in new buildings. By 2040, the ambition is for all buildings to adopt design for adaptability/deconstruction, achieving 40â50 % improvement in resource efficiency and ensuring 100 % of deconstructed materials are reused or recycled.
Design for Circularity and Innovation
The document recommends lean design, Design for Adaptability (DfA) and Design for Deconstruction (DfD) across projects larger than 5,000 mÂČ. It calls for digital product passports, BIM integration and materialâlevel data to enable traceability, facilitating repair, refurbishment and endâofâlife reuse. Pilot projects such as the Circular Pavilion in Amsterdam illustrate practical applications of modular, disassemblable construction.
Bioâeconomy and Biobased Materials
A dedicated bioâeconomy strategy will promote Irish timber, hemp, straw and other agricultural byâproducts. Targets include establishing supply chains for agriâbased materials, setting minimum bioâbased material use, and achieving 100 % of materials from deconstruction entering nonâtoxic closedâloop supply chains by 2040.
Business Model Transformation
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes and ProductâasâaâService (PaaS) models are advocated to retain ownership of materials, fund endâofâlife management and encourage circular product design. By 2030, EPR schemes should cover a variety of construction materials, with PaaS models becoming widely supported by government and industry.
Enabling Policies, Procurement and Skills
The roadmap calls for regulatory sandboxes, streamlined certification, and mandatory circular procurement criteria in public contracts. It proposes upskilling programmes for designers, contractors and planners, integrating circularity indicators (EU Level(s) 2.1â2.4) and ISO 20887 standards. Investment of âŹ30 million per annum is earmarked for bioâeconomy development, digital infrastructure and demonstration projects.
Overall Impact and Outlook
If fully implemented, the roadmap projects a substantial reduction in carbon emissions, material consumption and waste generation, while creating new economic opportunities in circular construction. It aligns Irelandâs built environment with EU sustainability targets and offers a replicable model for other European nations seeking to transition to sustainable, resourceâefficient housing.