Planning Permission Boost: Kingspan Cuts 2.8M Tonnes Emissions
Kingspan slashes 2.8 million tonnes of CO2e since 2020, hitting Planet Passionate midpoint amid Ireland’s green building push.
Kingspan, a leader in insulation solutions, reports cutting over 2.8 million tonnes of CO2e emissions across its operations since 2020. This equals more than 7 million return flights from Ireland to France. The firm reached the halfway mark of its 2030 Planet Passionate programme, targeting carbon, energy, circularity, and water goals for net zero buildings.
Renewable energy now powers 63% of Kingspan’s total energy needs, with 61% of its wholly owned sites featuring solar PV systems. The company boosted procurement of lower embodied carbon materials by 30% in 2025. Its Lower Embodied Carbon product line expanded to 35 solutions across categories, aiding sustainable construction projects like those needing planning permission.
Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions dropped 65% absolutely since 2020, with a 40% cut in 2023 alone via an internal carbon price. Waste to landfill fell 33% over the period. Kingspan electrified 42% of its forklifts and 475 employee vehicles in 2023. On-site solar capacity grew by 6.8MW that year, reaching 42MW total.
Investments hit €63.5 million in R&D in 2023 for efficient systems. Rainwater harvesting captured 57 million litres, adding nine million litres capacity. The programme commits to 90% operational emissions cuts and 42% scope 3 reductions, validated by Science Based Targets initiative. CDP recognised Kingspan as a 2023 Supplier Engagement Leader.
Planet Passionate drives decarbonisation in operations, products, and supply chains. By 2025, recycled and renewable raw materials reached 1.05 million tonnes. Community projects topped 390. Natural light from daylighting systems equalled 3.3 billion lumens annually, while water tanks conserved 39 billion litres.
These advances align with Irish planning permission trends, where An Bord Pleanála decisions increasingly favour low-carbon builds. Flood-risk development and housing scheme approvals often hinge on environmental impact assessments, favouring firms like Kingspan with proven sustainability. Material contravention risks drop for projects using their low-emission products.
Progress includes 70% renewable energy use and 97% zero-emission company cars. ISO 50001 certification covers 50% of large sites. Ten takeback schemes operate, recycling over 5 billion PET bottles since 2020. Kingspan plans 20 such schemes by 2030, plus 1.5 million tonnes annual recycled materials.
- 63% renewable energy across Group sites.
- 35 low embodied carbon products launched.
- 70% Scope 1 & 2 emissions reduction by 2025.
- 1,670 GWh from on-site solar generation.
- 61% sites with solar PV systems.
Holly Loughman, Kingspan’s Head of Sustainability, highlighted the value chain emission drops, renewable growth, and product innovations. She stressed ongoing commitment to net zero built environments, blending ambition, innovation, and partnerships.
Originally reported in Irish Building Magazine on Tue, 03 Mar 2026 10:48:19 +0000. Full story
