Environmental protection of nature and biodiversity

Biodiversity or biological diversity is a term used to describe all the different living things and living systems you find on Earth. It includes different plants, animals and micro-organisms, their genes and the ecosystems they are a part of.

An ecosystem describes the group of living things and their interactions with different non-living elements, such as air, water, rocks and soil. Examples of an ecosystem include:

• Bogs
• Ponds
• Forests
• Oceans

Basic necessities like clean air and fresh water, which we often take for granted, are at risk due to the decline of ecosystems.

Biodiversity is important for our survival and economic development. The loss of biodiversity can put things like food security and the discovery of new medicines at risk.

There are many factors which negatively affect nature and biodiversity in Ireland. These include:

• Overgrazing land
• Under grazing land
• Water and air pollution
• Invasive and problematic species
• Development (particularly residential, agricultural, and commercial)
• Land drainage
• Urban wastewater
• River barriers and the modification of coastal areas
• Recreation (such as walking and hiking)
• Land abandonment

The Irish Government announced a biodiversity emergency in May 2019 and has since developed a number of schemes and initiatives to help preserve nature and biodiversity in Ireland.

The Government has set-up schemes and programs to help preserve biodiversity in Ireland. These include the:

• Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme
• European Innovation Partnership Scheme
• Forestry Programme (pdf)
• Peatlands Climate Action Scheme
• LIFE Programme
• Conservation Measures Programme
• Marine Protected Areas
• National Parks
• Biodiversity Officers Programme
• Local Biodiversity Action Fund
• Biodiversity Fund

Directives and legislation to help preserve biodiversity

There are EU and Irish laws which aim to preserve biodiversity by conserving natural habitats and wild flora and fauna. Several initiatives have been developed to do this, including the:

• European Green Deal and EU Biodiversity strategy for 2030
• Nature Restoration Law
• Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan 2023-2027
• Climate Action Plan 2024
• Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF)

The third River Basin Management Plan 2022-2027 is currently in progress. You can view the draft plan on gov.ie (pdf).

The Marine Protected Areas Bill is currently being drafted and is expected to be published in 2024.

Ireland’s National Biodiversity Action Plan

Ireland’s fourth National Biodiversity Plan outlines the Government’s national biodiversity plan for 2023-2024. The main 5 objectives outlined in the plan are to:

1. Adopt a whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach to biodiversity
2. Meet urgent conservation and restoration needs
3. Secure nature’s contribution to people
4. Enhance the evidence base for action on biodiversity
5. Strengthen Ireland’s contribution to international biodiversity initiatives

You can view the National Biodiversity Action Plan (pdf) for more information.

Other biodiversity Directives

Birds Directive

The Birds Directive has 3 main elements:

• It provides for habitat conservation, including a requirement to designate Special Protected Areas (SPAs) for migratory and other vulnerable wild bird species
• It bans activities that directly threaten birds (such as the deliberate destruction of nests and the taking of eggs) and related activities such as trading in live or dead birds
• It establishes rules that limit the number of species that can be hunted, the periods during which they can be hunted and the permitted methods of hunting

Habitats Directive

The Habitats Directive provides for the creation of a network of protected sites known as Natura 2000. These sites include SPAs (under the Birds Directive) and other sites proposed by EU member states which meet specific criteria.

The designated sites must follow the safeguards set out in the Directive. This means that there must be:

• Prior assessment of potentially damaging plans and projects
• A requirement that these plans and projects be approved only if they represent an overriding interest and only if no alternative solution exists
• Measures for providing compensatory habitats in the event of damage

The Directive also provides for a ban on the downgrading of breeding and resting places for certain animal species.

This legislation is implemented in Ireland by:

• The Wildlife Act 1976
• The Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000
• The European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) publishes lists of sites that are protected under European and national legislation. These include:

• Special Protected Areas (SPAs)
• Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)
• National Heritage Areas (NHAs)

Details of how protected sites are chosen are available on the NPWS website. This also includes information about:

• Objecting to a proposed designation
• Appealing if the objection fails
• Compensation provisions for people who lose out financially as a result of a site being designated

A number of raised bogs have been designated as SACs or NHAs. If you are a landowner or holder of turbary rights and are affected by the restriction on turf cutting on these bogs, you can apply for compensation under the Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme.

There are things you can do to try to preserve biodiversity in your area. These include actions like:

• Avoiding or limiting the use of pesticides
• Creating a wetland or pond
• Avoiding using fertilizer on grassland
• Planting native trees and shrubs
• Avoiding cutting raised bogs
• Letting dandelions and other wildflowers grow
• Keeping winter stubble, if you are a farmer
• Mowing in an environmentally friendly way by mowing less or avoiding mowing completely during certain times of the year
• Keeping and maintaining hedgerows and patches of scrub
• Avoiding draining fields

You can read the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2021-2025 to get ideas on how to help bees and other pollinating insects in your area along with other ideas for preserving biodiversity.

No Mow May

No Mow May is an annual campaign which encourages people not to cut their lawns during the month of May, and for the rest of the summer months as well. This allows native wildflowers to grow which can then provide pollen and nectar for pollinators, such as bees.

You can find out more about No Mow May on pollinators.ie.

You can find information on national parks, protected sites, nature reserves and more on the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) website.

The European Commission has more information on biodiversity, including EU policies and legislation.

You can view Ireland’s Fourth National Biodiversity Action Plan (pdf) on gov.ie.

You can find statistics and information about biodiversity on the National Biodiversity Data Centre website.

The Environmental Protection Agency have helpful information on making an environmental complaint.