The Irish Green Building Council (IGBC) was established in Dublin on Tuesday morning, with the goal of radically transforming the built environment in Ireland.
It is hoped the plans will change the surroundings into one that is environmentally sustainable with the potential to create 30,000 jobs
Addressing those at the meeting, Minister Hogan said: "Sustainable development means meeting the needs of today without compromising the quality of life of future generations."
Businesses and professional service firms, as well as organisations from the academic, voluntary, environmental and State sectors all came together to set up the new body.
IGBC will also “work to ensure Irish firms are properly equipped to capture the significant dividend in jobs and contracts from the ‘greening’ of the built environment in Ireland and internationally,” it said in a statement.
The Council has estimated the value of these contract opportunities within Ireland will exceed €2bn per annum, in terms of green retrofit and new build construction products.
In addition, sustainability services across public procurement, domestic, commercial and industrial buildings will also hope to add to the value.
“This will conservatively translate into 30,000 jobs created and sustained,” the Council said.
The first Founder Meeting of the Irish Green Building Council took place at the headquarters of Engineers Ireland at Clyde Road, Ballsbridge and was addressed by Mr. Phil Hogan, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government.
Addressing those at the meeting, Minister Hogan said: “Sustainable development means meeting the needs of today without compromising the quality of life of future generations.
“The achievement of a low-carbon, low energy and sustainable economy is an unavoidable imperative for this country.
“I believe the construction industry is uniquely placed to positively influence both the economic and the environmental aspects of the sustainability agenda. Clearly there is room for further creativity and innovation and in that respect the formation of an Irish Green Building Council is a very welcome initiative,” he added.