Protecting the Environment

We aim to protect the environment by minimising our emissions and use of natural resources while ensuring we leave space for nature at our properties.

Our key materiality areas are:
 

  • Climate change (energy consumption, carbon emissions and climate risk)

  • Environmental management (biodiversity, water, pollution, and waste)

     

Creating a Sustainable Portfolio

Recognising the significant role of the built environment in global carbon emissions, I-RES is committed to achieving net-zero carbon by 2050 in line with the Paris Agreement and Ireland’s Climate Action Plan.  

We embed sustainability considerations throughout the entire investment lifecycle of each asset, from pre-acquisition through to disposal, reflecting this industry-wide transformation.  

To guide our net zero efforts, we have set short term emissions reduction targets aligned to sustainability linked financing and are actively working to decarbonise our portfolio. More information can be found in our 2025 Sustainability Report.

3627 units
(as at February 2026)
35
Locations across Dublin
Walk Score
72/100
Walk score with excellent connections to transport public transport, local services, schools and employment
locations
100 %
Waste diversion from landfill for wholly managed assets
Of directly managed common areas powered by renewable energy
100 %
Of directly managed common areas powered by renewable energy
units have a BER rated A-C
95 %
units have a BER rated A-C

CASE STUDY Demonstrating the Potential of Low-Carbon Technologies

Our 2025 programme marked a scaling-up of our energy‑efficiency and decarbonisation activities. Building on insights from our 2024 energy‑retrofit analysis and heat-pump trials—which resulted in Building Energy Rating (BER) improvements across three apartments from D ratings to two A ratings and one B—we have demonstrated the practical viability of low‑carbon technologies at a portfolio level. These early interventions provided robust performance data, and a strong evidence base to guide future investment decisions. In alignment with our recently established sustainability‑linked loan targets, we now systematically review all properties with a BER rating of D or below at vacancy. This assessment identifies opportunities for targeted retrofitting to achieve a BER of B3 or higher, supporting both carbon‑reduction objectives and long‑term asset resilience. In 2025, a further fourteen vacant units rated BER D or below were approved for retrofit works, resulting in upgrades to a BER of B3 or higher. A comparable programme is planned for 2026, subject to the number of BER D or below rated units that become vacant during the year.

CASE STUDY Demonstrating the Potential of Low-Carbon Technologies

Our 2025 programme marked a scaling-up of our energy‑efficiency and decarbonisation activities. Building on insights from our 2024 energy‑retrofit analysis and heat-pump trials—which resulted in Building Energy Rating (BER) improvements across three apartments from D ratings to two A ratings and one B—we have demonstrated the practical viability of low‑carbon technologies at a portfolio level. These early interventions provided robust performance data, and a strong evidence base to guide future investment decisions. In alignment with our recently established sustainability‑linked loan targets, we now systematically review all properties with a BER rating of D or below at vacancy. This assessment identifies opportunities for targeted retrofitting to achieve a BER of B3 or higher, supporting both carbon‑reduction objectives and long‑term asset resilience. In 2025, a further fourteen vacant units rated BER D or below were approved for retrofit works, resulting in upgrades to a BER of B3 or higher. A comparable programme is planned for 2026, subject to the number of BER D or below rated units that become vacant during the year.

CASE STUDY Demonstrating the Potential of Low-Carbon Technologies

Our 2025 programme marked a scaling-up of our energy‑efficiency and decarbonisation activities. Building on insights from our 2024 energy‑retrofit analysis and heat-pump trials—which resulted in Building Energy Rating (BER) improvements across three apartments from D ratings to two A ratings and one B—we have demonstrated the practical viability of low‑carbon technologies at a portfolio level. These early interventions provided robust performance data, and a strong evidence base to guide future investment decisions. In alignment with our recently established sustainability‑linked loan targets, we now systematically review all properties with a BER rating of D or below at vacancy. This assessment identifies opportunities for targeted retrofitting to achieve a BER of B3 or higher, supporting both carbon‑reduction objectives and long‑term asset resilience. In 2025, a further fourteen vacant units rated BER D or below were approved for retrofit works, resulting in upgrades to a BER of B3 or higher. A comparable programme is planned for 2026, subject to the number of BER D or below rated units that become vacant during the year.
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Our Evolving Approach

Climate change

We are committed to reducing our carbon emissions through net zero targets, reduced energy use, renewable energy and sustainable design, for example, in 2022 we delivered Ireland’s first LEED Gold residential building and Solar panels have been installed across the portfolio.
environmental management

Environmental management

We responsibly manage our environmental footprint through positive biodiversity actions, water conservation, and waste minimisation initiatives, incorporating circular economy principles through reuse, recycling, refurbishment and restoration.
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Biodiversity at I-RES

I-RES recognises that the development of urbanised areas can lead to a potential loss of biodiversity if not managed properly.

No Mow May Pollination All Ireland Pollinator Plan

Pollination

I-RES have been official supporters of the All-Ireland Pollinator plan since 2021, where together with other partners, encourage a better way to manage all our landscapes. Year on year we increase our pollination across our buildings, raise awareness via resident competitions and various initiatives. We have contributed to wider community pollination via donations and sponsorship.
Biodiverse Green Roof Sustainable Design

Green Roofs

Another way in which I-RES is helping to improve biodiversity at our properties is through introducing green roofs which provide benefits to the environment in addition to enhancing the surroundings. The green roofs encourage biodiversity whilst also providing other advantages including serving as a rainwater buffer, purifying the air, reducing the ambient temperature, regulating indoor temperatures, and saving energy. Two of our properties have green roofs, Tara View has 1,225m2 of grass area on its roofs and The School Yard has a warm insulated built-up bituminous green roof.
Swift Bird Conservation

Swift Conservation

The swift bird is on the red list of birds of conservation concern in Ireland because its population has declined by over 40% in the last 15 years. I-RES are proud to be part of the conservation actions across the country that are helping to recover populations. We currently have swift boxes at 3 of our residential properties with plans to expand across the portfolio.

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