How Irish Businesses Can Lead the Low‑Carbon Transition | Takeaway Tips From The SEAI Webinar
The Sustainable Business Network’s latest Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) webinar brought together industry experts, innovators, and sustainability leaders to share practical, actionable ways for Irish businesses to cut carbon, reduce costs, and future‑proof their operations. With insights from SEAI’s Kathleen Moore, EXEED Programme Manager Colm Martin, and Ahascragh Distillery founder Gareth McAllister, the session delivered a powerful message: Sustainability is not just achievable – it’s profitable, supported, and already transforming businesses across Ireland.
Here are the key takeaways and the top sustainability actions your business can start implementing today.
Start With Understanding: Build Your Energy Foundation
Kathleen Moore introduced SEAI’s first essential step for any business beginning its decarbonisation journey: Understand how your business uses energy. SEAI provides free tools that make this simple and accessible for SMEs of any size.
SEAI Energy Academy – Free, Flexible, Future‑Focused
A free online training platform offering short, practical modules on energy efficiency, renewables, and climate action. It helps businesses:
- Build staff sustainability skills
- Improve brand credibility
- Reduce bills by identifying hidden inefficiencies
- Strengthen internal sustainability culture
Energy Management Training
A 2‑hour online workshop guiding SMEs step‑by‑step through building a full Energy Action Plan, including tracking consumption, identifying savings, and setting priorities. Whether you’re new to sustainability or scaling your efforts, these foundational supports help you build confidence, reduce waste, and take strategic control of energy decisions.
Each of our members of the Sustainable Business Network also achieves extra support by signing up as a member through online live webinars and our on-demand library of e-learning training courses.
Assess Where The Biggest Opportunities Are
Before investing, SEAI recommends a thorough assessment of your current energy profile. Two standout supports were highlighted:
€2,000 Energy Audit Voucher
The Support Scheme for Energy Audits (SSEA) gives SMEs a €2,000 voucher to hire an SEAI‑registered auditor who will:
- Analyse your energy use
- Identify major energy consumers
- Recommend high‑impact changes
- Estimate costs and payback periods
- Provide a roadmap for upgrades
Fleet Assessment Grant For EV Transition
Businesses operating fleets of 5 or more vehicles can receive:
- €4,000 (5–50 vehicles)
- €8,000 (51+ vehicles)
This includes a professional assessment and a custom EV transition plan. These assessments eliminate guesswork and make it easier to prioritise actions that deliver maximum carbon and cost savings.
Invest Smartly: Grants That Accelerate Sustainability
Once a business understands its needs, SEAI’s third step – Invest – unlocks some of the most generous and impactful grants available in Ireland.
Rapid Approval Grants (Ideal For Quick Wins)
Funding is available immediately for measures like:
- Solar PV (up to €162,000)
- Heat pumps (up to €100,000)
- Fabric upgrades (up to €120,000)
- Lighting, controls, ventilation upgrades
- Design assistance (up to €25,000)
Most upgrades receive up to 30% grant funding, with some (like Business Management Systems optimisation) supported up to 50%.
Tailored Supports For Larger Decarbonisation Projects
For more complex upgrades – such as biomass heating, biogas boilers, or industrial process redesign – SEAI offers bespoke supports providing 30–40% funding.
The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) also offers up to €1M per heat‑pump project and €3.5M in biomass/biogas tariffs.
Community Energy Grants
A powerful option for cross‑sector collaboration, allowing projects from €50k–€1.5m, with business grants around 30%. These supports make even ambitious projects financially achievable – enabling businesses to cut emissions dramatically without shouldering the full cost alone.
Achieve Excellence With EXEED: Deep Decarbonisation For Ambitious Businesses
EXEED Programme Manager Colm Martin outlined how the SEAI EXEED programme is setting the national benchmark for high‑performance, energy‑efficient design.
What EXEED Offers
- Free EED training and mentoring
- 50–70% funding for design and feasibility
- 30–50% capital funding – up to €3 million per project
- Recognised certification for excellence in energy‑efficient design
- A structured methodology that delivers deeper carbon cuts than traditional audits
Why EXEED Outperforms Traditional Audits
EXEED takes a holistic approach to energy use, ensuring nothing is overlooked. Compared to audit‑only approaches, EXEED identifies:
- Up to 50% more CO₂ savings
- Greater operational efficiency
- Long‑term cost reductions
EXEED Success Stories
Businesses using EXEED have achieved:
- 42–56% annual energy reductions
- Hundreds of tonnes of CO₂ savings
- €80k–€330k in annual cost savings
- Certification that boosts credibility and competitiveness
EXEED is an ideal next step for businesses ready to become leaders in Ireland’s clean‑energy transition.
Ahascragh Distillery: A Real‑World Sustainability Blueprint
One of the webinar’s highlights was the inspiring story of Ahascragh Distillery, presented by founder Gareth McAllister – a business that has redefined what is possible for sustainability-focussed businesses.
A World‑First Achievement
Located in a restored 19th‑century mill, Ahascragh Distillery has become:
- The world’s first distillery powered entirely by heat pumps
- One of the lowest‑emissions distilleries globally, achieving 98% fewer emissions than standard operations
- Winner of the EU Foodies Greener Planet Award and an SEAI Innovation Award
Circular Economy Champions
- All incoming packaging is reused
- Spent grain is diverted to local farms – up to 15 tonnes weekly
- Packaging sourced through a sustainable, localised four‑stage process (Galway → Ireland → EU → global)
Community & Social Sustainability
As a female‑led distillery, Ahascragh supports women’s initiatives, such as Breast Cancer Ireland and opens its visitor centre for community and charity events.
EXEED Success In Action
Through EXEED, the distillery achieved:
- 261 tCO₂ annual savings
- 996 MWh energy savings
- €86k annual cost savings
- Over 50% reduction in heating and cooling demand
Ahascragh proves that small rural businesses can lead globally in sustainability with the right vision and supports.
Final Takeaway: Sustainability Is Now A Strategic Advantage
The SEAI webinar showcased that sustainable business transformation is no longer a distant ideal – it is happening now, in every county, across every industry. And thanks to SEAI’s extensive supports, it has never been easier for businesses to:
- Reduce carbon emissions
- Cut soaring energy costs
- Strengthen brand reputation
- Build community trust
- Become future‑ready
