Certification offers builders green development loans

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Home Performance Pathway will enable SME developers to qualify for lower cost development finance, helping to accelerate the delivery of sustainable homes across the country. Under its Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030 policy, the government is committed to delivering 300,000 homes by 2030 and to reducing emissions 51 per cent by the same date. The new certification covers key areas of sustainability, such as carbon emissions, water efficiency, biodiversity and waste. It also covers health and comfort indicators such as indoor air quality, acoustic comfort and summer comfort.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD said: “Delivering Homes, Building Communities commits to a range of initiatives to support small to medium construction companies to deliver sustainable housing. I am pleased to see this collaborative approach led by the IGBC with the financial and construction sectors which will enable SME developers and builders to qualify for lower cost development finance, helping to accelerate the delivery of sustainable homes across the country. ”

IGBC CEO Pat Barry said: “The Home Performance Pathway provides an accessible route for smaller homebuilders to start integrating sustainability into their schemes. It encourages them to increase their ambition over time, with support from the IGBC. It will help SME builders to thrive in a future where all finance is dependent on proof of sustainability.”

The Home Performance Pathway is designed as an entry level to IGBC’s full sustainability certification, the Home Performance Index (HPI) – a holistic sustainability and quality standard that is well established in the market for larger housing developments in Ireland, with over 3,500 dwellings certified in 2025.

John Delahunty, head of real estate finance at AIB said: "AIB is dedicated to supporting the development of sustainable, energy efficient homes throughout Ireland. The introduction of the Home Performance Pathway is a significant milestone, enabling smaller developers and builders to access affordable green finance while elevating the overall standard of housing delivery."

Brian Gaffney, head of residential and development finance at Bank of Ireland said: “Bank of Ireland welcomes the introduction of the Home Performance Pathway, and the leadership shown by the Irish Green Building Council in making sustainable construction more accessible for SME builders. Initiatives like this play an important role in helping house builders of all sizes integrate sustainability into their developments, and we are pleased to support efforts that strengthen communities and encourage the building of high quality, energy efficient homes across the country.”

David Casey, lending director at Home Building Finance Ireland said: “HBFI welcomes the launch of the IGBC’s Home Performance Pathway noting that it encourages SME and small homebuilders to put sustainability at the heart of their developments, while delivering much needed higher quality homes to their customers.”