The Irish government has placed its citizens, businesses and communities at the heart of plans to improve the country’s energy efficiency levels in a new white paper published today.

Energy secretary Amber Rudd has been quizzed over the need for a concerted plan for heat and transport after the UK government committed to more ambitious climate goals at last week’s COP21 summit in Paris.

The Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has reaffirmed its plans to remove legislation that ensures the Green Investment Bank (GIB) is used to fund clean energy infrastructure as part of efforts to privatise the bank.

Custom Solar has entered into a new partnership with Derbyshire County Cricket Club that will see 550 solar panels installed at the 3aaa County Ground.

Ford is to invest almost £3 billion in the development of a range of new electric vehicles by 2020, with the first to be launched in the UK next year.

IKEA UK & Ireland has committed to further increases in its energy efficiency and sustainable transport networks after renewables generation from its UK facilities soared.

The Federation of Small Businesses has launched a new service to help its members reduce gas and electricity bills by offering guidance on switching and efficiency measures.

The energy saving sector has expressed approval of the government’s plans to retain a 5% VAT rate on the majority of energy saving materials (ESMs) that currently benefit from a reduced tax.

Local communities in Ireland are set to benefit from €20 million under the 2016 Better Energy Communities scheme, which will fund energy efficiency improvements across a range of projects.