An Irish Independent editorial finds that Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions from buildings fell again in 2025, with homes down 5% and commercial buildings down 3.5%. But the Climate Change Advisory Council warns that much of the reduction came from a mild winter, not structural change. Residential buildings are projected to exceed carbon limits by 22% for 2026-2030, while public buildings could overshoot by 62%. The report notes real bright spots. Rooftop solar applications surged 96% after bigger subsidies were introduced. Social home retrofitting is on track. But the council says these gains must accelerate sharply to meet legally binding EU targets. It also recommends extending solar benefits to renters and flat dwellers and improving weather-proofing against floods and storms. The editorial frames this as a challenge Ireland cannot avoid. With international legal commitments in place, the gap between current pace and required pace remains wide. The question is whether policy adjustments can close it fast enough.
