It will not be easy to square the circle of increased demand for housing with reducing Ireland’s carbon emissions but squared it must be if we are to take our obligations on combatting climate change seriously.

A report by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) reveals that residential energy use and carbon emissions are on the rise again.

That is hardly surprising for two reasons: A growing population and an economy that is surging ahead, resulting in higher energy consumption.

The only upside of the economic recession was that it helped the country to reduce emissions but we are now spending more, making more and consuming more.

For the past three or four years, we have had a succession of reports that all say more or less the same thing: we are way off target in attempting to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Almost exactly a year ago, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) produced a worrying report showing that Ireland will miss its EU greenhouse gas emissions targets by a country mile.

It pointed to various sectors, including agriculture, transport, and commercial and waste facilities, predicting that none will make the grade. The EPA estimated that the reduction of emissions between 2005 and 2020, which was planned to be 20%, could be as low as 4%.

There has been some success, however. An EPA report earlier this week revealed that emissions from power stations fell by more than eight percent, largely driven by the use of less coal and peat and a greater use of renewable energy.

The reason for this singular success appears to be an EU directive that has made low-carbon technologies attractive for industry. That means climate policy — either at EU or national level — can drive real change.

On the other hand, political lethargy and special pleading can have the opposite effect. Climate Action Minister Denis Naughten has been trying to persuade Brussels to allow Ireland opt out of climate commitments we signed up to, thus undermining the EU’s collective resolve to reduce carbon emissions.

Instead, he and his Government should be bringing in policies that will compel home owners to use renewable energy. Almost all new homes are now A-rated and there are grants available to make existing housing stock more energy-efficient but insulation is only half of the equation.

Recent changes to residential grant schemes and the SEAI’s retrofit programme are not ambitious enough. The retrofit fund is around €22m over two years but that pales compared to the €500m in EU fines we face in 2020 for missing legally binding targets.

In any event, the prospect of huge fines should not be the only, or even the main reason for reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.

Sustainable energy makes sense in so many ways. It is cheaper for everyone, enhances our environment and also has economic benefits.

Instead of helping to create jobs in other countries by importing oil, gas, and coal, locally produced solar and wind power will keep those jobs at home.