Fáilte Ireland (FI) as the National Tourism Development Authority of Ireland has a broad scope of work covering specific project workstreams shared collaboratively under several Directorates (e.g. under Sector Development, Product Development, Regional Development) which appear to contribute to TTP Topics No. 3,7, and 27.
FI has ambitious plans to drive sustainable tourism development across Ireland and to help the tourism sector to achieve evidence-based sustainability improvements. 

Under FI Sector Development (Climate Action division) our strategic objective is to support the industry to step-change the environmental sustainability of tourism businesses to achieve government targets by 2030  (carbon emissions and energy efficiency).

Under Regional Development four experience brands for Ireland are mapped out i.e. Wild Atlantic Way (WAW), Ireland’s Ancient East (IAE), Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands (IHH), and Dublin. We develop programmes to enhance the visitors’ overall experiences when visiting these regions by offering memorable experiences to attract visitors from tourism markets. And we continuously build relationships with tourism experiences and enable market-ready options for both domestic and overseas leisure visitors.

Project specific: In line with the Dept. of Enterprise, Trade & Employment (DETE) commercial buildings group 500-1000No. of key tourism premises are actively engaged in improving efficiency and reducing their carbon emissions. This is cross-matrix collaborative teamwork among Fáilte Ireland Directorates. 

Specific action the organisation intends to take: Enabling tourism businesses to reduce GHG emissions, increase water efficiency, reduce water stress and pollution and reduce wastes by achieving a 45% reduction in tourism related emissions by the end of the year 2030. 

Measurable result(s) of the action: By 2026, 600 tourism premises sign up to the Failte Ireland Climate Action Support Framework with stretching targets in place that are cumulatively delivering a reduction in carbon emissions. 

Target date or frequency of the result availability: 

• a. Advisory team upskilled in FI process in 2024
• b. By 2024, 150 No.  businesses have signed the MOU and been appointed an Advisor
• c. By 2026, 600 No. privately owned tourism premises are actively implementing a plan to improve energy efficiency on-site, with stretching targets in place that are cumulatively delivering a reduction in carbon emissions. 

Planned investments inform what to be allocated for implementing this action: 

• 2024 Budget = €1.84million
• 2025 Budget = €1.8million 

Project Description 

The development and rollout of the Failte Ireland Climate Action Programme offers a clear pathway for tourism businesses to reduce emissions, track annual progress and drive positive impact. 

We have a strategic partnership between the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and Fáilte Ireland to support decarbonisation of tourism businesses in Ireland and ensure they can easily access the financial supports available to reduce carbon emissions, increase energy efficiency and adopt renewable technologies. 

We are rolling out a network of dedicated Advisors to support tourism businesses to reduce emissions in line with 2030 national targets while improving and enhancing their overall sustainability performance. 

This programme supports tourism businesses to reduce emissions and save money over three years with the help of a dedicated Expert Sustainability Advisor. An Advisor is appointed to each individual business upon registration and signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). 

Key Objectives 

The objective of the Fáilte Ireland Climate Action Programme (CAP) is to support Irish tourism businesses through a tailored programme of advice and supports to reduce costs and improve their efficiency in the use of energy, water and the generation of waste, in support of the primary aim of reducing their annual greenhouse gas (carbon) emissions. 

The Programme aims to contribute to Ireland’s national emissions reductions targets. Ireland has committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030 and to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Tourism must play its part in meeting these targets – which means achieving a 45% reduction in tourism related emissions by the end of the year 2030. 

In practical terms, the Programme also recognises that with the growing cost of energy, businesses have a general need to drive cost efficiency and maximise energy efficiency. These needs are compatible with the Programme’s primary focus in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.  

We are engaging key tourism premises in improving efficiency and reducing their carbon emissions while annually improving upon their sustainability benchmarks.  

Process 

The One-Stop-Shop support programme is delivered by Fáilte Ireland and an expert team of sustainability advisors guide businesses over a three-year period. A dedicated Advisor assesses a business’s existing baseline data and develops a tailored action plan to reduce carbon emissions and improve the business’s overall sustainability credentials. This will empower the business to become more sustainable. It offers a clear pathway for tourism businesses to reduce emissions, track annual progress and drive positive changes. 

Wider Government agencies involved in implementing the Climate Action Plan are providing the appropriate level of supports to the tourism industry in moving towards its climate action goals. We influence key Government Dept & agencies that impact tourism to include tourism in their policy and support schemes at appropriate level to affect change. 

A strategic partnership between SEAI and Fáilte Ireland helps to support decarbonisation of tourism businesses in Ireland and ensure they can easily access the financial supports available to reduce carbon emissions, increase energy efficiency and adopt renewable technologies.