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Ireland’s economy has grown by 150% since 1990 and our greenhouse gas emissions have grown accordingly (National Climate Change Strategy). This economic growth, along with and partly due to Ireland's expanding population and phenomenal rate of infrastructural development and house building, has resulted in Ireland’s output of greenhouse gas emissions, according to data from 2006, being 25.5% above the 1990 levels. In accordance with the Kyoto Protocol Ireland must reduce its carbon output to 13% above the 1990 levels in the period 2008 - 2012.

Since Ireland’s economic boom is largely responsible for the corresponding growth in emissions it is important that Irish SME’s, along with industry, the public sector and the wider community as a whole, adopt policies and measures to reduce their emissions and environmental impact.

Ireland’s economy is changing from one largely influenced by the construction sector to one which is more influenced by SMEs. There are currently 160,000 SMEs in Ireland and these will have to play a leading role in Ireland’s future economy and also in reducing Ireland’s emissions. It is therefore important that policies are adopted to limit their influence on climate change. In order to do this, SMEs need to understand how their operations can impact on climate change, the potential impact of climate change on SMEs, and the practical actions that they can take to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.