Launch of Ireland’s 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan

On 25th January 2024, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage published the 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan 2023 – 2030. The plan aims to restore biodiversity across Ireland, which has seen protected species drop by 85%, and over half of native Irish plant species decline over the last 20 years. The updated plan contains 194 actions to tackle the biodiversity problem, to be actioned by 2030.
This is Ireland’s fourth National Biodiversity Action Plan and the first to be published on a Statutory basis. The Wildlife Amendment Act 2023 was introduced in December 2023 and requires public bodies to incorporate biodiversity into any plan and policies the produce.

The plan sets out how Ireland will reverse the decline of biodiversity by building on existing conversation measures.

The key objectives include:

• Adopting a ‘Whole-of-Government, Whole-of Society’ approach – the plans include a review of the capacity and resources in Government and increasing the responsibilities for biodiversity management;
• Meet Urgent Conservation and Restoration Needs – increasing the efforts to take Invasive Alien Species and expanding the protected areas to now include Marine Protected Areas;
• Secure Nature’s Contribution to People – the plan includes actions which supports how biodiversity supports the society and economy;
• Enhance the Evidence Base for Action on Biodiversity – increasing long-term monitoring of biodiversity and reviewing research needs;
• Strengthen Ireland’s Contribution to International Biodiversity Initiatives – working with other countries to support biodiversity efforts and contributing to international initiatives.