“How I tend to think about sustainability is, ‘How do we go about using resources wisely today so we can still have those resources available for future generations?’,” explains Stephen Prendiville, a Deloitte partner and the firm’s sustainable infrastructure lead. “This involves striking an effective balance between economic growth, environmental care, and social wellbeing.”
With several years of experience working in Canada on sustainable infrastructure projects, Prendiville brings a global perspective to Ireland’s challenges.
“My time in Canada taught me the importance of integrating planning and innovation at every level,” he says. “Right now, we have a generational opportunity in Ireland to adopt a similar approach – to look at how infrastructure, planned correctly, can boost resilience, and give us a leg up when it comes to economic, social and environmental sustainability.
“I saw that in order to create truly sustainable cities, you need certain key things: a vibrant school and third-level education system, dedicated innovation hubs and start-up accelerators, strategic urban to rural planning (limiting sprawl, protecting agricultural land), family and community amenities, and carefully balanced communities with mixed development and access to sustainable public transport. Each element plays a distinct role in creating a resilient and thriving regional area around a vibrant urban hub.”
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Building the future
Infrastructure is the backbone of any sustainable economy. Every sector – from healthcare to housing, transport to technology – must align with climate commitments. But how do you create and sustain that commitment, in practical terms?
“Developers need to know that there’s a robust project pipeline that is carefully planned, funded and then resourced for execution. That pipeline, or roadmap for projects, also has to be ambitious and creative enough to attract the global talent and resources we need to transform Ireland’s infrastructure industry,” says Prendiville.
While not new by any means, public-private partnerships (PPPs) and similar financing models are crucial for leveraging private capital to advance this agenda.
Prendiville argues that infrastructure projects around sustainability, such as EV charging, energy-efficient hospitals, schools, sustainable housing communities, and integrated electrified public transportation – all require “radical collaboration” between and within different sectors.
“It’s not enough for businesses and Government to just talk about sustainability,” Prendiville points out. “Both sides need to step away from their current perceived roles and embrace a shared responsibility for getting this right. True, lasting transformation of our society for the better will only come through genuine, radical collaboration.”
‘Capital can be invested almost anywhere else in the world. Ireland has to give these investors a compelling case to commit to our country and our sustainable infrastructure projects’
“As we modernise our infrastructure to meet growing demands, it’s more important than ever that we shift attention to focus on renewable energy and the opportunities that are coming down the tracks,” says Marie Lucey, Deloitte Ireland’s renewable energy lead, whose experience spans London, the US, Europe and Asia.
“Working at both an infrastructure fund and a utilities company outside of Ireland gave me some interesting insights into how capital can be channelled into energy projects in innovative ways. In Denmark, I joined a company that was at the forefront of the offshore wind sector. It was a great example of the power of government and private sector alignment – creating models where investors developed assets they could then reinvest, constantly driving the renewable energy agenda forward.”
Lucey says one of the key focus areas for Ireland should be achieving policy stability and regulatory clarity.
“We need to look towards international examples where stable investment environments have been created, and where investors then feel confident about putting down long-term capital. That certainty is what attracts global players, and Ireland needs global players if we are to achieve our collective goals and ambitions.
“There is a lot of capital available for renewable energy and energy transition projects. But this capital can be invested almost anywhere else in the world. What I’m hearing from clients is that the private sector needs more speed and more clarity on policies and regulations. While we are beginning to see this happen in the offshore wind sector, there are still areas like biomethane, where more commitment is needed in the form of clear Government support and subsidies for these projects, at least in the short- to medium-term.”
Renewable energy is becoming an essential component of sustainable development as countries strive to reduce carbon emissions and decrease our reliance on fossil fuels.
“However, while increasing the supply of renewable energy is critical, managing demand is equally important,” points out Lucey, “especially given the opportunity it presents to power other growth sectors.”
“We are already seeing this in the early stages, with Ireland’s expansion of district heating by partnering with private firms to repurpose waste heat from industrial processes such as data centres in south Dublin and waste disposal in Poolbeg. Based on pilot schemes, Cabinet approval has now been given to start drafting legislation around these proven European models.”
A unified vision
Prendiville also sees the business climate as an opportunity to streamline Ireland’s infrastructure planning processes.
“The National Development Plan is a comprehensive framework, but it risks fragmentation,” he explains. “We have specific individual sections covering areas like roads, water infrastructure, housing – but each is being advanced at different stages, different speeds and driven by different entities across Government with varying resources. As time goes on, without a coherent, prioritised approach, these projects could become more disjointed.
“The risk of overbuilding, creating disconnected projects or missing key opportunities to integrate is only heightened if we continue our current approach to infrastructure development. Achieving our vision for sustainable infrastructure means minimising inefficiency and maximising purpose-driven planning. We must prioritise optimisation at every step. In terms of time, budget or capacity, we don’t have the resources to afford to be wasteful in this pursuit.”
The business case for sustainability goes beyond large-scale projects too. Prendiville says businesses should be embedding sustainable practices into their day-to-day operations.
“They need to be looking at their own infrastructure, be it manufacturing plants, data centres, or office buildings – and consider how they can reduce their potentially negative impacts.”
Is this the moment when Ireland sees a big shift in how both the public and private sectors approach infrastructure together?
“We know that businesses are eager to contribute,” explains Prendiville, “but we also know that they need policy clarity. On the other side, Government agencies have to embrace genuine partnership and get past an often externally imposed lowest-cost approach. This is not about passing the buck, it’s about recognising that we’re all in this together.”
Aligning with Ireland’s decarbonisation goals will not only future-proof businesses but also position them as leaders in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
“Ireland has that potential – but crucially, right now investors believe that too,” points out Lucey.
In Ireland’s journey towards a sustainable future, Prendiville and Lucey both see tremendous potential.
“With a unified vision, actionable policies and genuine commitment from all sectors, Ireland can really push its competitive edge,” says Lucey. “The key to unlocking this potential is bravery – bravery to make these changes top priority, to embrace collaboration and to commit to real action. There’s simply no time to waste.”
Marie Lucey is a partner and renewable energy leader at Deloitte Ireland, while Stephen Prendiville is also a partner and the sustainable infrastructure leader at the firm. To learn more, visit deloitte.ie