New report shows progress in local climate action
Across Ireland, local authorities are taking practical climate action that affects homes, businesses and communities every day. That action can be seen in warmer social homes, businesses finding ways to reduce energy use, and local authorities supporting communities to turn climate ideas into practical projects.
Tracking the impact of this work, the 2025 Local Government Climate Action KPI Report has just been released. It shows where local climate action is making a visible difference and helps build a clear picture of how it is being delivered.
The report looks at ten key performance indicators, or KPIs. These are measures that track activity in important areas of local government climate action, including energy efficiency, support for businesses, staff training, and preparations for severe weather. The LGMA Research team has been publishing climate action KPIs annually since 2022, showing where progress is being made and where systems or approaches can be further strengthened.
One of the strongest results in 2025 was the continued investment in social housing retrofits. Local authorities made effective use of available funding and retrofitted 2,671 social homes in 2025, the highest number to date. Almost all of these homes, 99%, achieved a BER B2 rating or higher. A B2-rated home is significantly more energy efficient than a poorly rated home. For tenants, the impact is immediate: more comfortable, energy-efficient homes that cost less to heat and power.
Another strong result in 2025 was the high number of small businesses that took part in the Green for Business Initiative, delivered by Local Enterprise Offices. This free programme connects businesses with specialist Green Consultants, who work with them to identify practical ways to become more sustainable, reduce utility costs and lower their carbon footprint. The number of small businesses taking part in 2025 was almost 1,100, showing growing interest in practical supports that can help businesses operate more efficiently and reduce their environmental impact.
Another area where the impact of local climate action can be seen directly is through the Community Climate Action Programme. The programme supports community groups to develop practical local projects in areas such as energy, transport, food, waste and environmental action. By the end of 2025, 706 projects had been funded across Ireland. The figures also show that many of these projects are now moving from planning into delivery. In 2024, 12% of funded projects were recorded as completed. By the end of 2025, that had risen to 54%. This means that an increasing number of community-led climate projects are now taking shape on the ground, helping local groups turn ideas into practical action.
Taken together, the findings show how local climate action can translate into practical outcomes: homes that use less energy, businesses receiving support to operate more efficiently, and communities turning climate ideas into practical local projects. Annual tracking also provides a consistent way to see how that work develops over time.
Climate action will ultimately be experienced locally — in homes, businesses and communities. By measuring what is being delivered and how approaches are developing, the Local Government Climate Action KPI Report helps make that progress more visible and provides evidence to support continued improvement as Ireland adapts to a changing climate.