Latest news with #NationalBiodiversityActionPlan
RTÉ News
23-05-2025
- General
- RTÉ News
Council approves 'crucial' Conamara restoration project
Galway County Council has approved plans by Coillte to carry out an environmental restoration project in Conamara. Coillte said the Derryclare peatland restoration project forms part of a wider initiative, which aims to restore over 2,000 hectares of blanket bog and wet heath along the western seaboard. It applied for permission to fell and remove over 340 hectares of existing plantations, in order to allow for the restoration of peatland and to undertake a replanting programme. The lands in question are at Doire an Chláir and Cúil na Ceártan in Co Galway. The restoration project will involve the removal of pine and conifer trees, the blocking of drains and the control of invasive species on the site. It is planned to rewet some 281 hectares of blanket bog, with the remaining portion of land to be replanted with native tree species. An earlier application was refused by the local authority last year and a new submission was made by the company last December. Coillte said the project will have a "wide array of environmental benefits", including enhanced carbon sequestration, rare habitat protection and flood risk management. In its submission to the council, it argued the initiative would reverse damage caused by previous forestry practices and was in keeping with the National Biodiversity Action Plan. The company said without intervention the site would continue to experience peat degradation and that a "crucial opportunity to restore vital environmental functions" on the area would be lost. Planners have attached seven conditions to the permission, including stipulations that the project be overseen by an on-site peatland ecologist and that adequate soakaways are constructed, in order to ensure there is no impact on existing land or road drainage. Coillte has welcomed today's decision and said work will now begin on incorporating the conditions into the wider restoration plan.
Deccan Herald
22-05-2025
- General
- Deccan Herald
India needs to rethink its relationship with nature
India hosts 7-8% of global biodiversity on just 2.4% of Earth's land, supporting food systems, livelihoods, and ecosystems. Yet, extractive development models have led to widespread habitat loss, species decline, and ecosystem halt biodiversity loss by 2030 and move toward a nature-positive world by 2050, the Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), adopted in December 2022, calls for transformative and inclusive action across all sectors of society. One of its 23 targets, Target 3, popularly known as '30 by 30', seeks to conserve at least 30% of terrestrial, inland water, and marine areas through well-connected, equitably managed has aligned its national priorities with global biodiversity targets through the National Biodiversity Action Plan, aiming to restore 30% of degraded ecosystems by 2030, and expand protected areas, which currently cover over 18% of land and 1.35% of marine zones. Key initiatives such as project-based conservation initiatives, eco-sensitive zones, biodiversity finance initiative, etc., reflect this commitment. Additionally, integrating access and benefit sharing (ABS) mechanisms ensures fair compensation for communities contributing traditional knowledge and genetic resources, fostering equity and Mission LiFE promotes sustainable lifestyles by encouraging behaviour-driven change, positioning nature as a partner, and shifting consumer demand to support nature-positive products, strengthening corporate action on environmental sustainability. Together, these efforts signal a shift toward inclusive and sustainable biodiversity governance, supported by the Biological Diversity Act (2002).For effective implementation, the KMGBF emphasizes a 'whole-of-government and whole-of-society' approach, urging nations to mobilise public institutions, local communities, indigenous people, the private sector, and civil society in co-ordinated efforts. For India, aligning national policy and resources around biodiversity conservation is a critical the KMGBF's financial mobilisation target, an additional $700 billion per year globally, requires co-ordinated efforts across sectors. This scale of investment can only be realised through a collective approach, with the private sector playing a critical role alongside governments and India, the private sector accounts for over 30% of the GDP, and influences land use, supply chains, and natural resources. Therefore, corporate engagement is essential not just for compliance, but to also access green finance, reduce ecological risk, and align with growing global expectations for ethical and sustainable some companies have begun directing corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds toward nature-based solutions (NbS), the overall adoption remains limited. A 2024 study found that about 70% of India's top 100 companies now integrate NbS into their sustainability strategies, but only 15% have allocated more than 2% of CSR budgets to such initiatives. Regulatory uncertainty, high upfront costs, low short-term returns, and limited capacity in biodiversity risk assessment continue to discourage investment. Meanwhile, greenwashing concerns deter companies from disclosing actions without robust monitoring systems.A sustainable path forward requires all stakeholders — governments, businesses, communities, academia, and civil society — to act in collaboration. National and state governments must strengthen legal frameworks, invest in large-scale restoration, and ensure biodiversity considerations are mainstreamed across all sectors, including agriculture, infrastructure, and industry. Fiscal tools such as tax incentives, concessional loans, green credits, and biodiversity-linked credits for companies investing in restoration, sustainable agriculture, and mangrove conservation can help bridge India's $50 billion biodiversity finance private sector must move beyond compliance toward active stewardship, by adopting science-based targets, building nature-positive supply chains, and practicing transparent biodiversity disclosures aligned with KMGBF goals. To enhance green cover and address ecological challenges, pooled financing mechanisms like a biodiversity investment fund can channel CSR and green finance into scalable restoration support for innovative models such as land sharing, leasing, or acquisition for reforestation and wildlife corridors can promote biodiversity conservation, enhance carbon sequestration, and mitigate human-wildlife conflict. To address past inequities, governments and corporates must jointly implement ABS frameworks that ensure fair compensation for local and Indigenous communities, fostering long-term trust and cooperation, as outlined in the Nagoya a globalized world where consumption, finance, and supply chains are interconnected, international cooperation and knowledge sharing are essential. 'Harmony with nature and sustainable development' — the theme of this International Day for Biological Diversity (May 22) — must not remain a theme, it must become a shared commitment. We must shift from using nature for short-term gain to working with it for long-term well-being. Nature is not a backdrop to development; it is our co-architect, our sustainer, and our enduring partner.(Aniruddh Soni is Fellow, and Neha Sharma is Research Associate, Land Resources Division, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).)Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author's own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of DH.
Agriland
20-05-2025
- General
- Agriland
€2.9m in funding for local biodiversity projects
€2.9 million in funding is to be allocated to local authorities for biodiversity projects under the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF) in 2025. All 31 local authorities applied for and will receive funding this year, with a total of 262 projects across the country approved. The projects cover a range of biodiversity related activities, including invasive alien species control; bird and bat conservation; wetland surveys and community biodiversity awareness and training. Biodiversity The LBAF was established in 2018 to help local authorities in the implementation of actions in support of biodiversity. Almost €11 million has been granted to local authorities through since the scheme began. The scheme is operated by the NPWS and supports the implementation of the Ireland's fourth National Biodiversity Action Plan at community, county and regional level. Examples of projects funded under this year's scheme include: Seven local authorities will participate in the 'Hare's Corner' projects with the aim of creating new habitats such as ponds, woodlands and orchards to benefit biodiversity; Five local authorities will undertake 'Return to Nature' projects, in support of the Catholic Church's ambition to return 30% of church grounds to nature by 2030; Artificial lighting training for local authorities in Connacht: Six local authorities delivered workshops on artificial lighting, bringing together experts from Dark Sky Ireland, NPWS and Mayo County Council, to support the development and delivery of policies and actions to reduce light pollution; Establishing effective guidance and control protocols for invasive freshwater turtles of EU Concern in Ireland: Seven local authorities will participate in this project to provide a workable guidance and protocol document for anyone who deals with these species. Minister for Housing, Heritage and Local Government James Browne said that local authorities are playing an essential role in protecting biodiversity. 'Through these projects, each local authority will make a unique impact on their local biodiversity, but is also part of a bigger picture across the country. 'I welcome the focus on partnership, research and best practice. I wish all of those involved the very best with the work and look forward to hearing more as they progress,' he said. Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O'Sullivan TD added that he was impressed by the diversity of projects funded this year. 'The Local Biodiversity Action Fund will enable every local authority around the country to enhance their actions on biodiversity, including research and recording of our unique species, from the Irish Mayfly, woodland Bats to barn owls, and management of precious habitats such as meadows and wetlands. 'I'd like to commend local authorities for stepping up their efforts to tackle invasive species, including Japanese Knotweed and Himalayan Balsam, which pose a real threat to our landscapes and marine environment,' he said.
Agriland
21-04-2025
- Business
- Agriland
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.'
