Ireland’s 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan 2023–2030.

Ireland’s 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan 2023–2030 (NBAP) builds upon the National Biodiversity Action Plan 2017 - 2021 work and takes account of the wide range of policies, strategies, conventions, laws and targets at the global, EU and national level that influence the shared environment in order to scale up biodiversity action. The NBAP also seeks to respond to the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss (See page 21 – Why do we need a National Biodiversity Action Plan?).
The Plan contains five Objectives, each addressing a different theme that will contribute to the realisation of the vision for biodiversity. Each Objective contains a series of Outcomes that describe the changes that will occur if Actions are achieved; Each action has an associated target, which is a time-bound description of what the action aims to achieve; the actions are interventions that will contribute to the achievement of the outcomes; each action has a measurable indicator(s) which will allow for the monitoring of progress. Objective 1 - Adopt a Whole-of-Government, Whole-of-Society Approach to Biodiversity. Proposed actions include capacity and resource reviews across Government; determining responsibilities for the expanding biodiversity agenda; providing support for communities, citizen scientists and business; and mechanisms for the governance and review of this National Biodiversity Action Plan. Objective 2 - Meet Urgent Conservation and Restoration Needs. Supporting actions will build on existing conservation measures. Efforts to tackle Invasive Alien Species will be elevated. The protected area network will be expanded to include the Marine Protected Areas. Farmers are incentivised to create and maintain habitats on farm and support many initiatives that specifically enhance ecological connectivity in the landscape, organic farming, reduce chemical pesticide use, support farmland pollinator conservation activities. In the forestry sector the Plan includes actions aimed at continuing to work with all relevant stakeholders to develop a national fire management, to support native tree planting strategy. Fishery management measures include combat Illegal unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU fishing), d mapping of Ireland’s coastal and wider marine environments, including the deep ocean, Objective 3 - Secure Nature’s Contribution to People. Actions highlight the relationship between nature and people in Ireland. These include recognising the tangible and intangible values of biodiversity, promoting nature’s importance to our culture and heritage and recognising how biodiversity supports our society and our economy. Objective 4 - Enhance the Evidence Base for Action on Biodiversity. This objective focuses on biodiversity research needs, as well as the development and strengthening of long-term monitoring programmes that will underpin and strengthen future decision-making. Action will also focus on collaboration to advance ecosystem accounting that will contribute towards natural capital account. Objective 5 - Strengthen Ireland’s Contribution to International Biodiversity Initiatives. Collaboration with other countries and across the island of Ireland will play a key role in the realisation of this Objective. Ireland will strengthen its contribution to international biodiversity initiatives and international governance processes, such as the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity.