merrion street

The Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs has announced that her Department is seeking the views of the public on the draft National Biodiversity Action Plan for conserving and restoring Ireland’s biodiversity and ecosystems.

This plan, which will run from 2017 to 2021, sets out actions through which a range of government, civil and private sectors will undertake to achieve Ireland’s ‘Vision for Biodiversity’. The plan was developed in collaboration with representatives from state agencies, NGOs and the private sector, and follows on from the work of the first and second National Biodiversity Action Plans.

Ireland is party to the 1992 United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which is focussed on ‘the conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources’. To this end, the CBD has identified five Strategic Goals and 20 Biodiversity Targets and each participating country must also develop national strategies and action plans for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

Achieving biodiversity targets would be a significant contribution towards achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

The National Biodiversity Action Plan captures the objectives, targets and actions for biodiversity through which Ireland is coordinating its efforts. To achieve these targets, seven strategic objectives were identified in the second National Biodiversity Action Plan. These objectives have been retained for the new Plan so that we can continue to build on the progress made in recent years.

Speaking today Minister Humphreys said:
“My Department supports a wide range of projects around the country which aim to protect our biodiversity, such as the EU LIFE freshwater pearl mussel conservation project in Kerry, and the Abbeyleix bog project, run by the local community. These projects show how we can address the decline of species and habitats through innovative approaches to the management of our natural heritage and fostering sustainable engagement with our biodiversity.

“Protecting our biodiversity isn’t just good for the environment, it’s also good for the economy and our society. For example, recreational angling is estimated to contribute €836 million to the Irish economy, making a strong financial argument for us to care for our rivers, lakes and seas. My Department is now seeking input from the public on the National Biodiversity Plan and I would encourage interested organisations or individuals to make their views known.”