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Project title

Indicators for Measuring Policy Actions and Climate Trends

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

University College Cork (UCC)

Lead Applicant

Tomas Mac Uidhir

Project Abstract

Abstract Ireland has committed to ambitious climate action, with policies designed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across key sectors such as energy, transport, buildings, and agriculture. These policies are underpinned by robust ex-ante projections which estimate the expected impact of individual (and groups of) policies and measures. These projections are produced in line with legal requirements under EU Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action. Under this Regulation, Ireland must report biennial projections for two scenarios: “With Existing Measures” (WEM) and “With Additional Measures” (WAM), each reflecting varying levels of policy maturity, legislative support, and financial commitment. However, while these ex-ante projections are mandated and standardised, no equivalent legal obligation or national framework exists for ex-post evaluation, the systematic assessment of whether these policies deliver the expected emissions savings, after implementation. As a result, Ireland lacks the institutional capacity to quantify real-world policy impacts and to evaluate effectiveness, cost-efficiency, or coherence across measures. This disconnect undermines climate accountability, hinders policy learning, and limits the evidence base for adjusting or scaling climate interventions. The IMPACT project addresses this critical gap by developing and testing a structured, replicable framework for ex-post evaluation of emissions savings from climate policies in Ireland. The project will identify existing data sources and case studies, assess methodological approaches used internationally, and draw on sector-specific ex-post evaluations previously conducted in Ireland, such as those on vehicle taxation and residential retrofits. While these isolated studies have demonstrated methodological feasibility, they have not been embedded in national climate reporting or decision-making processes. Through collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), the Department of Transport, the Climate Action Unit within the Department of the Taoiseach and others, IMPACT will co-develop an appropriate ex-post evaluation framework aligned with EU definitions and reporting expectations. This will be piloted on selected climate policies to assess emissions outcomes and data availability. The selected climate policies will be guided by data availability to build on existing areas of good practice, and by diversity to maximise learnings. In doing so, the project will identify institutional, technical, and capacity gaps and provide clear guidance for national actors on how to scale ex-post evaluation practices across sectors. Expected outputs include methodological guidelines, pilot evaluation case studies, recommendations for inclusion of ex-post assessment into national climate governance, and capacity-building tools to support institutional uptake. To ensure accessibility, transparency, and ongoing impact, all key findings, tools, and resources will be made available via an open-access online platform hosted by University College Cork. This platform will act as a central hub for knowledge exchange and support the continued development and application of ex-post evaluation practices beyond the lifetime of the project. By enabling Ireland to systematically measure what its climate policies achieve in practice, IMPACT supports a more accountable, evidence-based, and effective climate policy dialogue.

Grant Approved

€164,572.94

Research Hub

Addressing Climate Change Evidence Needs

Research Theme

n/a

Start Date

31/03/2026

Initial Projected Completion Date

30/09/2027