New ‘biodiversity reporting guidance' issued for public bodies
Minister of State for nature, heritage and biodiversity Christopher O'Sullivan has launched new 'Biodiversity Duty Reporting Guidance for Public Bodies'.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage said the guidance provides 'practical steps' to help public bodies fulfil their 'biodiversity duty', which is a new legal requirement for public and state bodies to consider biodiversity in their decision making and daily operations.
Ireland's fourth National Biodiversity Action Plan was published in January 2024 and sets out Ireland's 'vision for biodiversity' to 2050. The plan provides an enhanced governance framework for biodiversity in Ireland that integrates biodiversity into decision making processes across government.
The Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2023 puts the National Biodiversity Action Plan on a statutory footing, with an obligation for listed public bodies to have regard to the plan's objectives and targets in the performance of their functions.
Public bodies must integrate biodiversity into their policies and programmes, and report annually on measures adopted and progress made.
The new reporting guidance was developed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) with support from Business for Biodiversity Ireland. It is designed to assist public bodies in fulfilling their biodiversity reporting obligations.
The Business for Biodiversity Ireland platform is an initiative funded by the NPWS and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in response to the 'recognised growing need' for business guidance in transitioning to 'a nature-positive way of working'.
Biodiversity Duty Reporting Guidance for Public Bodies provides 'actionable steps and tools' for public bodies to embed biodiversity considerations into their operations, the Department of Housing said.
It indicates areas of opportunity within public bodies where biodiversity can be incorporated, and sets out how 'biodiversity duty' can be strengthened through clear targets; knowledge and skills development; collaboration; and implementation. The guidance also supports public and state bodies to record and report on progress, according to the department.
Commenting on the guidance, Minister O'Sullivan said: 'All of us have a role to play in protecting our biodiversity, and that includes our public and state bodies.
'This guidance will help even more of our public bodies to make a commitment to biodiversity. It suggests areas of business activities within public bodies, from procurement, to construction, landscape management and organisational development, which can have a real impact on our biodiversity,' the minister added.
'It will also support public and state bodies to report on their progress over the coming months as required by the legislation.'
Niall Ó Donnchú, director general of the NPWS, said: 'Public and state bodies are an important partner in our delivery of the National Biodiversity Action Plan. I would like to thank them for their positive engagement in outlining the steps they've taken to promote biodiversity and we welcome further engagement as they implement their biodiversity duty.'
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