Environment
We are committed to the highest standards of environmental management and to proactively addressing the challenges of climate change.
Climate change is the single most pressing challenge facing Ireland and global societies today. To address climate change, the Irish Government has ambitious climate and energy targets to successfully transition to a carbon-neutral economy by 2050. The gas network, while serving Ireland’s energy needs today, is also focused on transforming into a fully decarbonised network that transports renewable gases. These ambitions are very much aligned to supporting Ireland’s progress towards UNSDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy and UNSDG 13: Climate Action.
Gas Networks Ireland continuously revise our approach to reducing the environmental impact of business activities, and our investment in leading asset management systems and processes contributes to enhanced network asset performance and energy efficiency.
We have developed objectives in several areas including climate action, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction, energy use, water use, and waste generation all of which are verifiable within our certified Environmental Management System ISO14001 and Energy Management System ISO50001. Our Greenhouse Gas Inventory was independently verified according to ISO14064‑3:2019 specifications with guidance for the validation and verification of greenhouse gas statements.
The sustainability team promotes an integrated and strategic approach to environmental and energy management across the business and our asset base. Bespoke in-house design toolkits and environmental guidance assist our designers, planners and operations colleagues to apply a standardised approach to environmental management.
Climate Action
Securing our future - Working collaboratively to develop a sustainable energy system that facilitates and supports Ireland’s net zero target.
The gas network is crucial to Ireland's energy mix and imperative to achieving climate action targets. Our vision is for a net zero carbon gas network by 2045, by replacing natural gas with renewable gases, such as carbon neutral biomethane made from agricultural and food waste and carbon free green hydrogen. Decarbonising the gas network will complement the development of renewable electricity, reduce emissions across all sectors of the economy including those that are traditionally difficult to decarbonise such as industry, agriculture and heavy transport, and further enhance the security and diversity of Ireland's energy supply.
We will continue to work towards delivering the Government target of up to 5.7TWh of biomethane on our network by 2030. We firmly believe that the 2030 target of 5.7TWh can be achieved with the requisite Government support. We will engage all stakeholders to facilitate achievement of this important objective and in the delivery of a National Biomethane Strategy.
CNG and Renewable Gases
Biomethane is largely identical to natural gas; it can seamlessly replace gas in heating systems, transport, power generation, and appliances. A renewable gas industry in Ireland would support the decarbonisation of the agricultural sector, provide significant opportunities to rural communities, facilitate sustainable circular economies, and significantly enhance security of supply.
The Government has set a target of up to 5.7TWh of biomethane on the national gas network by 2030. We are actively working with all stakeholders to support and facilitate the achievement of this objective. Biomethane has formed part of the regular gas supply in Ireland’s gas network since mid-2020. Our network and down-stream applications are fully compatible with biomethane, as are our CNG (compressed natural gas) refuelling stations which we continue to build with the intention of operating as renewable bio-CNG (compressed biomethane gas) refuelling stations as the volume of biomethane on the network increases. In 2023, 95% of the CNG dispensed was bio-CNG.
In September 2023, we published the Biomethane Energy Report, a comprehensive report detailing the key findings from the biomethane request for information we issued in late 2022. The Report’s findings confirmed a strong appetite amongst prospective biomethane producers in Ireland, which would see renewable gas replace more than 25% of natural gas on the network, creating significant new agri-income streams and reducing the country’s total carbon emissions by almost 4 million tonnes per year i.e., 6.5% of Ireland’s total emissions.
Hydrogen is a carbon free gas that can be produced from renewable electricity and stored indefinitely, making it an attractive option to decarbonise energy systems and a strong example of how greater integration between our gas and electricity systems can drive a cleaner energy future for Ireland.
Ireland’s gas network is one of the safest and most modern gas networks in Europe. Blends of up to 20% hydrogen by volume could be transported on the existing gas network and used in existing appliances, technology and vehicles, with minimal disruption and upfront cost to customers. Ireland's gas distribution network is compatible with hydrogen blends of up to 20% and even 100% hydrogen with only some modifications required. Ireland’s gas transmission network is also compatible with hydrogen blends, however materials testing is required for around 50% of pipelines on the network to allow current maximum operating pressures to be maintained with hydrogen concentrations of greater than 10%. Some targeted research on certain equipment contained within transmission AGIs and compressor stations will also be required. Across the UK and EU, there are multiple studies already underway testing the compatibility of transmission network equipment (e.g., National Grid HyNTS (FutureGrid), Gasunie programmes, Hydrogen in Gas Grids (HIGGS), GERG and EPRG hydrogen programmes) which will support Gas Networks Ireland in this research.
We have built a distribution test network in our facility in Citywest, Dublin to allow us to test how blends of natural gas and hydrogen perform in the network and also with downstream appliances.
Gas Networks Ireland alongside other partners in the Cork harbour region have been working on developing the Celtic Hydrogen Cluster, (CHC). The CHC is looking to benefit from the existing nexus of energy producers and consumers which are currently connected by or in close proximity to an existing natural gas network which could be repurposed to transport and store 100% hydrogen to stimulate a hydrogen cluster in this area to take advantage of the offshore wind energy which will be produced from the Celtic sea in the future. Gas Networks Ireland is looking to support all emerging hydrogen clusters which may develop in line with the Irish National Hydrogen Strategy.
Heavy goods vehicles and buses account for a disproportionate amount of Ireland’s transport emissions. Emitting significantly less carbon dioxide than diesel and petrol, compressed natural gas (CNG) is a cleaner and affordable alternative fuel that is helping to decarbonise the Irish transport sector. Furthermore, CNG vehicles are entirely compatible with biomethane, meaning that as Ireland gradually increases the volume of biomethane on the national network, vehicles refuelling from the gas network will further reduce their carbon footprint without changing a thing.
Ireland’s four publicly accessible, fast-fill CNG stations, form part of the developing national network of CNG stations aimed at providing clean fuel to the Heavy Good Vehicles (HGV) sector. Strategically located to support prominent haulier routes, the state-of-the-art stations have the capacity to fill 70 HGVs a day, with each fill taking no more than five minutes. These stations allow hauliers and fleet operators in the region to begin the journey to sustainable transport by switching their fuel from diesel to CNG / renewable CNG today and ultimately transition to 100% networked renewable gases, including biomethane and hydrogen, in the future.
In 2023, 94% of the CNG used in transport was ISCC certified biomethane. Renewable CNG is a zero-emissions fuel under EU law and counted by NORA towards Irish renewable transport fuel targets.
Environmental management systems
Investment in leading edge asset management systems and processes will contribute to enhanced network asset performance and energy efficiency. In 2023, Gas Networks Ireland maintained certification to ISO14001 and ISO50001 along with ISO systems, ISO45001, ISO55001 and ISO9001.
Gas Networks Ireland has adopted an iterative multi-year approach to reducing the environmental impact of its business activities. Significant milestones on this journey have been the implementation of an Environmental Management System (certified to ISO14001) successfully since 2012, achieving the Energy Management System certification (ISO50001) in 2014 and being one of the first companies in the country to achieve the Asset Management System Standard ISO55001 in 2015.
The company continued to publish the annual Sustainability Report in alignment with the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals in 2023, outlining progress in implementing the principles of sustainable development across all aspects of our operations.
In 2023 we continued to focus on areas including biodiversity, Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions/carbon management, waste, energy and procurement. We also delivered a study on embodied carbon in civils design as well as stepping up our climate change scenario modelling and risk assessment for the organisation.
Our GHG inventory was independently verified to ISO14064[1]3:2019 specifications with guidance for the Validation and Verification of Greenhouse Gas Statements.
The sustainability team continues to promote an integrated and strategic approach to environmental and energy management across the business and asset base. Bespoke in-house design toolkits and environmental guidance assist our designers, planners and operations colleagues to apply a standardised approach to environmental management.
Environmental performance
Any significant fines and non-monetary sanctions for non-compliance with environmental laws and/or regulations are demonstrated in the table below.
| 2023 | |
|---|---|
| (i) Total monetary value of significant fines | 0 |
| (ii) Total number of non-monetary sanctions | 0 |
| (iii) Cases brought through dispute resolution mechanisms | 0 |
Access to information on the environment
The Access to Information on the Environment (AIE) Directive was transposed into Irish law by the European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations 2007 to 2014 (the “AIE Regulations”). Under the AIE Regulations, members of the public can request access to environmental information from public authorities. GNI have appointed an AIE Officer to oversee the formal process and to assist GNI in meeting its transparency obligations set out in the Directive.
More information on Access to Information on the Environment can be found here.
Read more about climate actionGHG emissions management
Our Energy Management System (EMS) supports us to meet energy efficiency and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission reduction targets.
GHG emissions
Sustainability and decarbonisation principles are at the core of our business and strategic decisions. We established our carbon footprint in 2019, aligned with global best practice.
We selected 2010 as our baseline carbon year, a time before the Corrib gas field commenced supplies of natural gas to Ireland. We utilised verified emission equivalency conversion factors from SEAI where possible, DEFRA and empirical data from staff activities such as commuting.
Our 2023 GHG inventory was independently verified according to the ISO 14064-3:2019 Specifications with Guidance for the Validation and Verification of Greenhouse Gas Statements. Gases included are CO2, CH4 etc. Final figures are reported in tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e).
Low carbon pledge
We are signatories of the Low Carbon Pledge, a Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI) initiative for Irish businesses to invest time and resources into creating a more sustainable operation, by being more energy efficient and reducing carbon usage.
To help ensure consistency and comparability of efforts across various companies the internationally recognised Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Standard is used as the underlying framework for the Low Carbon Pledge. Signatory companies commit to the following:
- Record their entire Carbon Footprint, both direct (Scope 1 & 2) and indirect (Scope 3) carbon emissions.
- Reduce carbon emissions that they are directly responsible for (Scope 1 & 2), as well as play their part in reducing emissions across their supply chain (Scope 3).
- Report publicly their individual progress, as well as collectively through the annual BITCI Low Carbon Report.
- Regularly review their carbon reduction targets (SBTs) to align to the latest Climate Science.
- Pledge to reduce carbon emission intensity by 50% by 2030
Energy management
We are certified to the Energy Management System (EMS) ISO50001:2015.
Fuel gas
Gas Networks Ireland offer staff a number of commuting options including a car-sharing facility, the establishment of Bicycle User Groups (BUGs), carrying out events promoting sustainable travel and providing free bike services to staff.
We promote and support smarter travel options which have positive impacts for our colleagues, our business and for our environment. We encourage staff to use public transport where feasible over taking their vehicle. We reviewed our “agile working” policy (which allowed staff to work from home or from one of our nationwide office locations) and have moved to a “hybrid working” policy allowing staff to continue to work remotely for part of the working week. We also provide and promote the use of video conferencing. This allows employees to benefit from flexible work locations and hours, exceeding current government guidelines.
Public Sector Monitoring and Reporting Targets (PSMR)
We are an active participant in the Government’s Public Sector Monitoring and Reporting (PSMR) initiative. The scope of the PMSR applies to our office and fleet energy which amounts to less than 1% of our overall emissions.
Read more about energy managementWater reduction and management
While water use is not a material issue for us as we are not a significant user of water, we do monitor and track usage. We have substantially reduced our water usage since 2013, as a result of improved performance and upgrading of our offices.
We monitor and report water consumption based on utility meters and reconcile this, where possible, with sub metering data. We report water consumption by supply and treatment of both volume and carbon equivalent using Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) conversion factors. We utilise internally sourced emission factors for both supply and treatment of water. We do not consume water from areas of water stress.
In 2023 we used 3,892,000 litres of water, resulting in our water consumption falling to 1.5 TCO2e in 2023.
Waste reduction and management
We are committed to reducing our waste to landfill and the company’s long-term target is to send zero waste to landfill by 2025. Monthly key performance indicators (KPIs) are recorded and reported.
All our waste suppliers are audited to assess operational best practice and to ensure adherence to Gas Networks Irelands standards. Our two main contractors who carry out work on our behalf also report monthly on their waste KPIs and are also striving to meet Gas Networks Ireland’s target of zero waste to landfill by 2025.
In 2023, the overall figure for recycling and recovery in our offices was 100%.
Read more about water and waste reduction management