Marine Institute unveils ambitious Climate Action Roadmap 2025


The Marine Institute has launched its Climate Action Roadmap 2025 outlining the organisation’s ambitious plans and progress in sustainability, energy efficiency, and carbon reduction across its operations.

The Marine Institute’s Climate Action Roadmap 2025 reflects the Institute’s structured and proactive approach to meeting sustainability targets and to delivering on responsibilities outlined in the Government’s Climate Action Plan 2025 and Climate Action Mandate. Key achievements include:

  • A 44.6% improvement in energy efficiency compared to the 2009 baseline.

  • A 5.7% reduction in overall CO₂ emissions, despite increased operational demands.

  • A tenfold increase in the use of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), a low-carbon biofuel that serves as a replacement for fossil fuels to power Ireland’s marine research vessels. In 2024 approx. 20% of the fuel used to operate the vessels was this renewable alternative, which equates to 500,000 litres of HVO.

In 2024, the Institute’s research vessels spent 119 more days at sea than the previous year. Yet, thanks to the adoption of HVO, fossil CO₂ emissions rose by just 0.7%. This milestone underscores the transformative impact of cleaner fuels and, together with advances in vessel technologies, set the stage for meeting and potentially the Institute’s 51% carbon reduction target.

Looking ahead, the Roadmap includes:

  • Installation of two additional solar PV systems at the Oranmore headquarters, expected to generate up to 26% of total electricity needs.

  • Upgrades to HVAC systems, LED lighting, and other energy-saving infrastructure.

  • Increasing the use of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil as a cleaner alternative fuel source.

Dr Rick Officer, CEO of the Marine Institute, commented: “Sustainability is at the heart of how we work in the Marine Institute. It’s part of our mission of protecting Ireland’s ocean and it’s embedded in our culture and daily operations. We are extremely proud of our progress over the past 12 months in the vital areas of sustainability and energy. Our achievements result from the combined effort and innovation of colleagues working across the Institute.”  

“It's not about one single project. It’s about embedding sustainability across everything we do. We’re reducing our footprint by running our research vessels more efficiently, moving to  cleaner fuels, and powering our sites with solar energy. Just as importantly, it’s about our people, creating a culture where staff are engaged and proud to drive change” added Toni Hollowell, Facilities Manager, Marine Institute. 

The Roadmap also showcases how sustainability is deeply integrated into the Institute’s ethos:

  • Six teams have earned My Green Lab accreditation, achieving top-tier Green and Platinum ratings for sustainable lab practices.

  • Other Initiatives include reducing food waste, metering water usage, installing EV chargers, digitising workflows, and eliminating single-use plastics, even in laboratory settings.

Through these efforts, the Marine Institute continues to lead by example in marine sustainability and climate action and builds on the core work of the Institute in sustainable seafood, how we manage our ocean space (marine spatial planning), how we protect marine biodiversity (marine protected areas), offshore renewable energy (decarbonisation of energy systems), and how the ocean impacts climate change.

You can download the Climate Action Roadmap 2025 HERE

ENDS

For any media enquiries please contact:

Sinéad Coyne e: sinead.coyne@marine.ie | m: +353 (0)87 947 7090

Kathleen Sweeney e: kathleen.sweeney@marine.ie | m: +353 (0)87 094 5754

Communications Office, Marine Institute e: communications@marine.ie | t: +353 (0)91 387 200

About the Marine Institute
The Marine Institute is Ireland’s scientific agency responsible for supporting the sustainable development of the State’s maritime area and resources. The Institute conducts applied research and provides scientific knowledge, advice and services to government, industry and other stakeholders and users.