Sustainability & Environment
For generations to come
ESB and the environment
What is sustainability?
We have only one planet to live on, and we depend on it for everything we need to live - food, water, plants and shelter.
Sustainability is about using our natural resources more responsibly, so we can meet our needs today without affecting the resources of future generations to meet their needs.
Our mission
Our mission at ESB has always been to provide a safe, efficient and cost effective supply of electricity in a socially responsible manner to all our customers.
Technologies change and develop - from hydro generation starting in the 1920s, to mid-century peat and oil, to coal as a response to the oil crisis of the 1970s, to more efficient and clean gas in recent times - but our goal of customer service remains the same.
We need a new and dynamic response as Ireland seeks to meet its environmental targets and address the urgent challenge of climate change.
We are determined to meet this challenge.
A carbon-neutral company
Since our foundation in 1927, we have been a major contributor to social and industrial development in Ireland.
Ireland, along with the rest of the world, has entered an important era that confronts us with the issues of climate change, energy security and competitiveness of energy supply.
In response, we launched our Strategic Framework to 2020 in March 2008..
Our strategy
We want to set an example with our own use of energy, water and natural resources.
To do so, we have adopted a target of a 30% reduction in our internal carbon footprint by 2012, and a net carbon-neutral company by 2035.
This is in addition to our target for reduction in power station emissions.
It's a commitment not just to the environment, but to the Irish economy and community at large.
The plan reaffirms our ambition to be Ireland's leading renewables company and sets out stretching targets to achieve this goal.