The Enniscorthy International Forum (EIF) hosted its annual summit in Enniscorthy recently. The theme of the summit, Bridges to a Sustainable Future: Innovation as a Critical Imperative in Troubled Times, reflected the contributions needed from buildings, the built environment, and energy to deliver on the challenges of sustainability and climate change.
“The primary theme of the summit reflects that there are many bridges that must be crossed” noted Barbara-Anne Murphy, Chief Executive of Enniscorthy International Forum, “if the world is to attain sustainability. We must address education, policy, industry culture, dissemination/deployment, and coherence with the natural environment.
“As noted by participants, the path to net zero runs straight through our homes and neighbourhoods. Today was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when ambition and delivery go hand in hand,” said Cllr Murphy who is the newly elected Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District Council.
Notable speakers and participants included James Browne TD, Housing Minister of Ireland, Tatiana Molcean, United Nations Under-Secretary General, Andrew McAllister, Commissioner, California Energy Commission, Ruth Zugman do Coutto, Dep, Director Climate Change Division, UN Environment Programme, Michael McGrath, EU Commissioner, Democracy, Justice, Rule of Law, & Consumer Protection, Darcie Houck, Commissioner, California Public Utilities Commission and James Gannon, Chairperson at Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU).
Minister James Browne noted that buildings account for nearly 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions, so decarbonising the built environment is one of the most urgent and impactful climate challenges we face.
“Ireland aims to build 300,000 new homes by 2030 and the government is pulling every lever to meet this bold target. All new homes will aim for zero emissions and an A energy rating, cutting emissions and energy use from day one.
“Building energy-efficient, low-carbon homes isn’t just about climate action; it cuts bills, improves health, and helps eliminate fuel poverty, with technologies like heat pumps and solar panels becoming standard,” concluded Minister Browne.
The 2025 Buildings Action Coalition summit explored the need to be comprehensive in the approach to buildings and the built environment, observed that fixing the built environment in a small corner of the world is insufficient, that we need to have global impact, and recognised that we are 40 years late in addressing the issues of climate and sustainability – it is necessary to do everything everywhere all at once.
Enniscorthy International Forum, located in County Wexford was established to support the United Nations’ sustainable development agenda, focusing on Buildings and the Built Environment, Energy, Diplomacy, Health, and Education.
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