Ireland

National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

Northern EuropeApplies 2023–2030Source: 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan 2023–2030

1. Overview

Ireland's 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan 2023–2030 (NBAP) is co-presented by Malcolm Noonan T.D., Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, and Niall Ó'Donnchú, Director General of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) [§5][§6]. The Plan is structured around five national Objectives and commits to 194 time-bound Actions* over seven years, each carrying a measurable Target defined in the document as "a time-bound description of what the action aims to achieve" [§48]. Appendix 1 maps the Plan's content to the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) adopted at COP15 [§19].

*Ireland's NBAP uses a three-tier architecture — Objectives → Outcomes → Actions — with quantified Targets embedded in each Action. This page uses the KMGBF canonical term "national commitment" for Ireland's Actions, and reserves "GBF Target" for the 23 global targets adopted in 2022. Ireland's five strategic Objectives are distinct from the four GBF Goals A–D and are rendered here as national objectives.

The five Objectives are: adopting a whole-of-Government, whole-of-society approach to biodiversity; meeting urgent conservation and restoration needs; securing nature's contribution to people; enhancing the evidence base; and strengthening Ireland's contribution to international biodiversity initiatives [§6]. The Plan was developed through three stages of consultation culminating in a ten-week open public consultation from 1 September to 9 November 2022, yielding 200 survey responses and 111 written responses [§41]. It responds directly to the recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss (99 members, 159 recommendations published April 2023) and the Young People's Assembly on Biodiversity [§6][§43], and the Plan states that "as Government's response to the Citizens' Assembly is finalised, the Plan will be revisited" [§6].

Ireland's 4th NBAP places the Plan on a statutory footing, tasks NPWS with exploring constitutional recognition of the rights of nature by 2024, and commits to updating the Plan by 2027 to incorporate Ireland's forthcoming National Restoration Plan. It carries quantified 2030 targets on organic farming, pesticide reduction, forest management for nature, marine protected area coverage, and earmarking at least 15% of Ireland's annual Climate Finance for biodiversity.

Sources:

  • §5 — Ministerial Foreword
  • §6 — NPWS Foreword
  • §19 — The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
  • §41 — How did we develop the NBAP? > Stage 3 Public Consultation
  • §43 — Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss
  • §48 — Navigation

2. Ecological Context

Ireland records over 31,000 species across terrestrial, freshwater and marine habitats, with globally important populations of birds, fish, mammals, invertebrates, plants and fungi; the surrounding seas support vast seabird colonies, cold-water coral reefs, whales and dolphins, and rich algal and invertebrate communities [§11]. The NBAP states plainly: "despite this rich tapestry, our biodiversity is in trouble" [§11].

The scientific baseline presented in the Plan is drawn from NPWS's 2019 Article 17 reporting and associated national assessments. 85% of Ireland's most precious EU-protected habitats are in unfavourable status, with 46% demonstrating ongoing declines — particularly in marine, peatland, grassland and woodland habitats — and only 2% improving over a 12-year period [§11]. Almost a third of semi-natural grasslands have been lost in the last decade, half of rivers and two-thirds of estuaries are not in good ecological health [§11]. 30% of Ireland's 60 EU-protected species are in unfavourable status, and 15% demonstrate declining trends [§11].

Species-level data show comparable pressures. Over half of native Irish plant species have declined in range and/or abundance (Plant Atlas, 2020); more than half of Ireland's 100 bee species have seen substantial declines since 1980, with 30% threatened with extinction (Fitzpatrick et al., 2007); 26% of 211 bird species are on the Red list for conservation concern (Gilbert et al., 2021); 21% of breeding and 52% of key wintering bird species showed short-term declining trends in 2019 [§11]. Extinction threatens 48 species in the Irish marine environment [§11].

The NBAP attributes pressures to overgrazing, undergrazing, land abandonment, water and air pollution, alien and problematic species, recreation, residential and agricultural development, land drainage, urban wastewater, river barriers and modification of coastal areas [§11]. 80% of non-native species introduced since 1500 have increased; Himalayan balsam, Japanese knotweed and rhododendron are identified as having negative impacts on native flora and fauna [§11]. The Plan highlights the Corncrake/Traonach LIFE project — a species that had declined by over 96% since the 1970s, with a reported 35% population increase over the past five years across 1,500 hectares managed with 250 farmers and landowners — as an example of species recovery at work [§11].

Sources:

  • §11 — What does science say about biodiversity in Ireland?

3. National Commitments and GBF Alignment

Ireland sets 194 national commitments arranged under five Objectives. This section groups them by Objective and reports headline commitments with a measurability classification.

Objective 1 — Whole-of-Government, Whole-of-Society approach

Commitment statement: Mainstream biodiversity across government, place the NBAP on a statutory footing (1A1), convene an expanded Biodiversity Working Group by 2024 (1A2), complete an Interim Review by 2026 (1A5), a Final Review by December 2030 (1A6), and update the NBAP by 2027 to incorporate the forthcoming National Restoration Plan (1A9) [§52]. By 2024 the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPENDR) is to develop systems to tag both biodiversity-positive expenditure (1B4) and expenditure that "may adversely affect biodiversity" (1B5) [§53]. NPWS is to explore formal recognition of the rights of nature, "including the potential for constitutional change," by 2024 (1C2) [§53]. A Biodiversity Officer is to be in place in each of the 31 Local Authorities by 2026 (1B9), and all Local Authorities are to have a Biodiversity Action Plan adopted by end-2026 (1C6) [§53]. Public biodiversity awareness is to increase by 20% by 2027 against a 2024 baseline (1D1) [§54].

GBF Target mapping: Targets 14, 15, 18, 19, 22. Key instruments: NBAP statutory footing; Biodiversity Working Group; DPENDR expenditure tagging; Heritage Council Biodiversity Officer Programme. Measurability: Measurable commitments for statutory footing (2023), Local Authority coverage (2026), 20% awareness increase (2027), and review cycle dates. The rights of nature exploration is a directional aspiration — the commitment is to "explore," not to enact. Indicators: Progress tracker comparable to the EU Biodiversity Strategy Actions Tracker; annual updates from each responsible entity (1A3, 1A4).

Objective 2 — Urgent conservation and restoration needs

Commitment statement: By 2030 Habitats and Birds Directive habitats and species show no deterioration, and "at least 30% of those not in favourable status will reach that status or show a positive trend" (2A5) [§56]. DHLGH will enact Marine Protected Area (MPA) legislation to reach "≥10% MPA coverage as soon as practicable, and 30% by 2030" (2D11) [§58]. Agricultural commitments include 10% of agricultural land under organic farming by 2030 (2B4), at least 4% of agricultural land with biodiversity-rich landscape features by 2030 (2B5), and a 50% reduction in the use and risk of chemical pesticides by 2030 (2B6), all aligned with the EU Biodiversity Strategy [§56]. Coillte will increase the proportion of its forest estate managed primarily for nature from 20% to 30% (an additional 44,000 hectares) by 2025, and to 50% by 2030, "half of which will be native woodlands" (2B18, 2B19) [§56]. Bord na Móna will rehabilitate 33,000 hectares of peatlands by 2026 under the Enhanced Decommissioning, Restoration and Rehabilitation Scheme (2C3) [§57]. A National Restoration Plan is to be published by 2026 and implementation begun by 2027 (2F1–2F6) [§58]. The Plan commits to exploring restoration of 300 km of rivers to a free-flowing state by 2030 (2D21) [§58]. Invasive alien species are to be "controlled, managed, and where possible, eradicated" within Protected Areas by 2030 (2H1) [§58].

GBF Target mapping: Targets 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11. Key instruments: Conservation Measures Programme across 600+ Natura 2000 sites; Marine Protected Areas Bill; CAP Strategic Plan 2023–2027 (ACRES, Organic Farming Scheme); Coillte forest estate management; Bord na Móna Enhanced Decommissioning, Restoration and Rehabilitation Scheme (EDRRS); Third River Basin Management Plan. Measurability: Measurable commitments for MPAs (30% by 2030), organic farming (10% by 2030), biodiversity-rich landscape features (4% by 2030), pesticide reduction (50% by 2030), Coillte estate management (30% by 2025 / 50% by 2030), Bord na Móna peatland rehabilitation (33,000 ha by 2026), and restoration of 30% of habitats/species not in favourable status by 2030. Directional aspirations for "significant progress" on raised and blanket bog restoration by 2025 (2C6), free-flowing rivers (softened by verb "explore"), commercial fish stocks at maximum sustainable yield "as soon as possible" (2D13–2D16), and IAS management "where possible, eradicated." Interim commitments include preliminary protected-area pledges under the EU Biodiversity Strategy by 2024 (2A8), flagged as preliminary pending the EU process [§56]. Indicators: National Biodiversity Indicators including B.6 (threatened and endangered species trends) and C.3.i (newly introduced IAS); CAP result indicators R.21, R.22, R.31–R.34.

Objective 3 — Securing nature's contribution to people

Commitment statement: Align Ireland's Sustainable Tourism Policy with the NBAP by 2023 (3A7) [§61]; publish a policy statement on biodiversity, landscape, topography, community development and the Irish language by end-2024, with an action plan by end-2025 (3A5, 3A6) [§61]; have Business for Biodiversity Ireland members conducting assessments of impacts and dependencies on biodiversity at "≥60% by end-2025" and "≥90% by end-2027" (3B11) [§61]. By 2030 "All Public Authorities and private sector bodies move towards no net loss of biodiversity through strategies, planning, mitigation measures, appropriate offsetting and/or investment in Blue-Green infrastructure" (3C1) [§61].

GBF Target mapping: Targets 1, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 22. Key instruments: Heritage Ireland 2030; Ireland's Sustainable Tourism Policy; Business for Biodiversity Ireland; EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD); National Bioeconomy Action Plan; Office of the Planning Regulator. Measurability: Measurable commitments for BBI member assessment rates and policy-statement deadlines. The no-net-loss commitment is a directional aspiration: "move towards" with no quantified baseline. Indicators: BBI member reporting; Origin Green annual biodiversity reporting from 2023 (3B9).

Objective 4 — Enhance the evidence base

Commitment statement: Identify and prioritise biodiversity research gaps by 2024 (4A2); complete an EGFSN-led review of biodiversity skills needs by 2026 (4A1); update the State of Knowledge and Key Knowledge Gaps in Ireland's Biodiversity report by 2024 as the basis for a national biodiversity monitoring framework by 2025 (4C7); conduct habitat biodiversity assessments on all National Farm Survey farms by 2030 (4C10); establish a Natural Capital Accounting expert network for the island of Ireland and develop CSO ecosystem accounts aligned with SEEA-EA by 2027 (4D1, 4D2, 4D4) [§62][§63].

GBF Target mapping: Targets 11, 20, 21. Key instruments: National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC); Environmental Protection Agency; Central Statistics Office; National Museum of Ireland; Expert Group on Future Skills Needs. Measurability: Measurable commitments for deadlines; ecosystem accounts deliverable framed as a dated product rather than a quantitative threshold. Indicators: 91 National Biodiversity Indicators, under review by the BWG indicators sub-group by 2026 (1A10); GBIF and European Environment Agency contributions.

Objective 5 — International contribution

Commitment statement: "At least 15% of Ireland's annual Climate Finance will have biodiversity protection/restoration as one of the intended objectives of programming," prioritising Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States (5B1) [§64]. Ratify the Agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) by end-2024 (5B3); enhance engagement with the EU Biodiversity Platform, CBD, CITES, OSPAR, RAMSAR and IPBES by 2025 (5B4) [§64].

GBF Target mapping: Targets 3, 19, 20, 21. Key instruments: Climate Finance Roadmap 2022; Shared Island Fund; All-Island Climate and Biodiversity Research Network (AICBRN). Measurability: Measurable commitment for the 15% Climate Finance share and the BBNJ ratification deadline. Indicators: ODA biodiversity spend; engagement with multilateral fora.

Sources:

  • §52–§58 — Ireland in 2050 > Objectives One and Two
  • §61 — Objective Three Outcomes 3A–3C
  • §62–§63 — Objective Four Outcomes 4A–4D
  • §64 — Objective Five

4. Delivery Architecture

Delivery of Ireland's 4th NBAP rests on a mix of national legislation, EU-funded schemes, dedicated public bodies, and private-sector and community vehicles.

Legislation and statutory instruments. The framing instruments are the Wildlife Act, the Climate Action Plan and Climate Act, the CAP Strategic Plan, the Forestry Programme 2023–2027 alongside the Forest Strategy and Forestry Act, the River Basin Management Plan and the Nitrates Action Programme, and the proposed Marine Protected Areas Bill [§16]. NPWS is to complete a review of Wildlife legislation and publish legislation providing a legal basis for National Parks, with revised legislation in place by 2027 [§55]. DAFM is to review the Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) Regulations by 2024 [§55]. At EU level, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the proposed EU Nature Restoration Regulation frame restoration and protection architecture [§17][§18].

Flagship programmes — agriculture, forestry and peatlands. The €1.5 billion Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES), delivered under the CAP Strategic Plan, provides income support for up to 50,000 farm families through combined prescription-based and results-based actions [§21]. The European Innovation Partnership (EIP) Scheme supports species-focused projects (freshwater pearl mussel, breeding curlew, pollinators, hen harrier) and geographic projects across the Blackstairs, North Connemara, Aran Islands, Duhallow and other catchments; a new €60 million Water EIP was announced in 2023 [§22]. Ireland's Forest Strategy to 2030 and the Forestry Programme 2023–2027 provide incentives for native woodland planting; Coillte's 20%→30% (2025) →50% (2030) escalator anchors the forest-estate commitment, discussed in full under the Peatlands and Restoration flex below only insofar as it intersects with peatland carbon work [§23][§56]. The Peatlands Climate Action Scheme / Enhanced Decommissioning, Restoration and Rehabilitation Scheme (EDRRS) is the principal peatland instrument [§24] and is treated in full in the flex section below.

Species, protected areas and marine designation. The Conservation Measures Programme links site-specific Conservation Objectives to on-the-ground actions across more than 600 Natura 2000 sites [§26]. Ireland's seven National Parks — Glenveagh, Wicklow Mountains, Boyne Valley, Wild Nephin, Connemara, the Burren and Killarney — host native woodland, peatland and grassland restoration and reintroductions of the once-extinct white-tailed eagle and the osprey [§28]. The Government is developing Marine Protected Areas legislation informed by an independent advisory group and public engagement [§27]. A National Centre for Species Survival is to be established at Dublin Zoo [§56]. NPWS, DAFM, the National Botanical Gardens, Trinity College Dublin, the Irish Seed Savers Association and Teagasc operate a coordinated seed-bank network covering wild flora, threatened species, crop wild relatives, and grassland and clover collections [§58].

LIFE Programme. DHLGH coordinates four LIFE projects: Corncrake LIFE, LIFE on Machair, Wild Atlantic Nature LIFE Integrated Project (Atlantic blanket bog), and Waters of LIFE (high-status catchments); Ireland is a partner on LIFE IP Peatlands and People, LIFE Lough Carra, LIFE INSULAR and Legacy4LIFE [§25].

Local and community delivery. The Biodiversity Officers Programme is to have Biodiversity Officers in all 31 Local Authorities by 2026 [§29][§53]. The Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF) awarded over €6 million between 2018 and 2023 for hundreds of small-scale projects including invasive species strategies in Galway, predator-proof fences for breeding waders in Donegal, and rhododendron clearance on Howth Head [§30]. Community Foundation Ireland's Biodiversity Fund, co-funded by NPWS, has granted over €1 million to deliver 181 Community Biodiversity Action Plans across all 26 counties [§31].

Business, data and disclosure. Business for Biodiversity Ireland, led by Natural Capital Ireland with the NBDC and Business in the Community, supports businesses in materiality assessments and strategy [§33]. Transposition of the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), led by DETE, makes biodiversity reporting a legal requirement for qualifying Irish businesses [§61]. BBI is to publish six sectoral best-practice guidelines by end-2025, including guidance on the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures and Science Based Targets for Nature [§61].

Sources:

  • §16–§18 — National and EU legislative framing
  • §21–§33 — Flagship programmes and delivery vehicles
  • §53–§58 — Objective-level commitments
  • §61 — Business and disclosure

4a. Flex — Statutory footing, rights of nature, and the Citizens' Assembly

Ireland's 4th NBAP adopts a governance posture that sets it apart structurally from most EU member state NBSAPs. Three features interlock.

Statutory footing. Under Action 1A1, NPWS has placed the National Biodiversity Action Plan on a statutory footing, fulfilling a Programme for Government commitment to introduce "a statutory requirement for National Biodiversity Action Plans" [§52]. In combination with Outcome 1E — a completed review of the Wildlife Acts and revised legislation providing a legal basis for National Parks by 2027 [§55] — this binds successor governments to a continuing NBAP cycle and to a strengthened wildlife enforcement framework in cooperation with An Garda Síochána, Revenue's Customs Service and the judiciary.

Rights of nature. Under Action 1C2, NPWS is tasked to "explore the ways in which the rights of nature could be formally recognised, including the potential for constitutional change" by 2024 [§53]. The Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss had proposed constitutional changes to ensure "people have a right to a clean, healthy, and safe environment" and that nature be provided with constitutional protections [§43].

Citizens' Assembly and Oireachtas engagement. The Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss convened 99 members over seven meetings from May 2022 to end of January 2023, agreeing 159 recommendations — 73 high-level and 86 sectoral — published in April 2023 [§43]. The Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action launched its Report on Biodiversity in November 2022, containing 75 recommendations across five themes [§45]. Action 1C1 commits Government to "fully consider" the conclusions of the Oireachtas Committee on the Citizens' Assembly by 2024 [§53]. The NPWS Foreword states that "as Government's response to the Citizens' Assembly is finalised, the Plan will be revisited to convey those recommendations to realisation" [§6] — the Plan is explicitly treated as open to revision. A Children and Young People's Biodiversity Forum is to be established through NPWS support by 2024 (1D10) [§54].

Two-sided expenditure tagging. A distinctive fiscal commitment flows from the governance posture: DPENDR will tag both biodiversity-positive expenditure (1B4) and expenditure "that may adversely affect biodiversity" (1B5), "to move towards phasing out harmful incentives" [§37][§53].

Sources:

  • §6 — NPWS Foreword
  • §37 — Peatland Finance Ireland (expenditure tagging)
  • §43 — Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss
  • §45 — Joint Oireachtas Committee on Biodiversity
  • §52–§55 — Objective One Outcomes

4b. Flex — Peatlands as a flagship restoration and finance test-bed

Peatlands are the restoration substrate, blended-finance pilot, and climate-biodiversity crossover case of Ireland's 4th NBAP. The architecture spans restoration schemes, protected-area management, multiple EU funding streams, and a dedicated finance vehicle.

Restoration scheme. The Peatlands Climate Action Scheme, also known as the Enhanced Decommissioning, Restoration and Rehabilitation Scheme (EDRRS), covers approximately 33,000 hectares of former Bord na Móna peatlands previously harvested for electricity generation [§24]. Approximately 14,344 hectares have been rehabilitated across 30 bogs to date, with plans approved for five further sites and four under approval; works are expected to complete by mid-2026 [§24]. The Scheme is funded with €108 million from the EU National Recovery and Resilience Plan, administered by DECC, regulated by NPWS and operated by Bord na Móna [§24]. Bord na Móna is to publish an updated Biodiversity Action Plan by end-2024 (2C2) [§57].

Policy framing. The National Peatlands Strategy 2015–2025, taking account of its 2021 mid-term review, the National Raised Bog Special Areas of Conservation Management Plan 2017–2022, and commitments in the 2023 Climate Action Plan set the policy frame (2C1, 2C6) [§57].

Finance. Peatlands receive three discrete EU finance streams: €108 million from the Recovery and Resilience Facility; €12 million from the EU Just Transition Fund (focused on the wider Midlands region impacted by the move away from peat electricity generation); and a share of €11 million under EU PEACEPLUS and the Shared Island Initiative for peatland restoration and invasive alien species [§35]. Peatland Finance Ireland (PFI) is a multi-partner vehicle — partners include the European Investment Bank, Landscape Finance Lab, IUCN Peatland Programme, University College Dublin and NPWS — developing a national Peatland Standard to combine public investments, carbon credits and commercial finance for peatland solutions across energy, forestry, water and agriculture [§37]. The Plan records "active interest from private companies to investigate the potential for financing peatland restoration to offset high demands for water use" [§35].

Climate crossover. Peatlands are the anchor of the Biodiversity Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan 2019–2024, which NPWS is to review and publish by 2024 (2C4) [§57]. Blue-carbon restoration for seagrass and saltmarsh is supported under Action 2C8 [§57]. The All-Island Climate and Biodiversity Research Network (AICBRN) provides a North-South scientific framework for climate-biodiversity research [§64].

Sources:

  • §24 — Peatlands Climate Action Scheme
  • §35 — EU funding streams
  • §37 — Peatland Finance Ireland
  • §57 — Objective Two Outcomes 2C (peatlands, climate action)
  • §64 — All-island coordination

5. Monitoring and Accountability

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), an executive agency within the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH), carries the advisory and policymaking functions on nature and biodiversity [§32]. The inter-departmental Biodiversity Working Group (BWG), established in 2012, coordinates cross-government implementation; its composition is under review for expanded representation by 2024 (1A2), with members drawn from NPWS, DAFM, DECC, DHLGH, EPA, Inland Fisheries Ireland, Uisce Éireann, the Marine Institute, NBDC, OPW, Teagasc, the Heritage Council, Bord na Móna, CCMA, DFA, CSO, UCD and DOT [§66]. The independent Biodiversity Forum includes universities, eNGOs (Irish Wildlife Trust, An Taisce, Birdwatch Ireland, Irish Whale and Dolphin Group), Coillte, Dublin Zoo, IBEC, Local Authority heritage and biodiversity officers, FACE Ireland/NARGC, Irish Rural Link, and the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs [§67].

Reporting cycle. A progress tracker comparable to the EU Biodiversity Strategy Actions Tracker is to be developed by NPWS and NBDC by 2024, mapping the Plan to Multilateral Environmental Agreements (1A3) [§52]. From 2024 each entity responsible for actions provides an annual update (1A4). The BWG reports to the Senior Officials Group on the Environment and Climate Change at least twice a year, and the Minister receives an annual report for Cabinet (1A7, 1A8) [§52]. A cross-departmental Interim Review is due by 2026 (1A5), a Final Review — prepared by the BWG with independent input — by December 2030 (1A6), and the NBAP is to be updated by 2027 to take account of the National Restoration Plan (1A9) [§52].

Indicators. The BWG subgroup on indicators will review the current list of National Biodiversity Indicators by 2026, map them to reporting requirements, and make recommendations to fill gaps (1A10) [§52]. The National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC) holds over 6 million records of almost 18,000 species, serves as Ireland's node of the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, and coordinates the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, the National Pollinator Monitoring Scheme, the All-Ireland Bumblebee Monitoring Scheme, the Irish Butterfly Monitoring Scheme and the Explore Your Shore! citizen science project [§34]. The NBDC has trained over 4,500 people and supports more than 30,000 recorders. By end-2028 the EPA, supported by DHLGH/NPWS, is to commission "an assessment of the feasibility of an integrated site and monitoring data solution" (4B1); biodiversity data is to adhere to national open data policy by 2030 (4B7) [§62].

Monitoring products. NBDC is to update the State of Knowledge and Key Knowledge Gaps in Ireland's Biodiversity report by 2024, forming the basis for a national biodiversity monitoring framework by 2025 (4C7) [§62]. NPWS will publish Red List assessments for new species groups and update existing Red Lists over the Plan period (4C6) [§62]. A systematic baseline survey for priority invasive species and hot-spot sites was to be completed by end-2023, "state-led and supported by Citizen Science engagement programmes" (4C8) [§62].

Organisational capacity. The NPWS Strategic Action Plan, published in May 2022, commits to full organisational restructuring and €55 million additional investment across three budgetary cycles, together with early recruitment of 60 key staff; implementation is to be complete by 2025 (1B8) [§36][§53].

Sources:

  • §32 — NPWS institutional role
  • §34 — National Biodiversity Data Centre
  • §36 — NPWS Strategic Action Plan
  • §52–§53 — Objective One Outcomes 1A–1B
  • §62 — Objective Four Outcomes 4B–4C
  • §66–§67 — BWG and Biodiversity Forum membership

6. Finance and Resource Mobilisation

Ireland's 4th NBAP draws on domestic Exchequer allocations, an Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund established to support delivery of the Plan, and multiple EU funding streams, with blended public–private vehicles under development [§35][§37].

Domestic public finance. Dedicated biodiversity funding flows through the annual Exchequer allocation to relevant Government Departments and State bodies, with research funding delivered via the EPA, Marine Institute and NPWS [§35]. The NPWS Strategic Action Plan commits €55 million additional investment across three budgetary cycles and early recruitment of 60 key staff [§36]. NPWS is to seek multiannual funding for investment in biodiversity (1B1) [§53].

EU finance streams. The Plan is co-financed by:

  • The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) co-financing €3.86 billion of Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan (2023–2027), including the €1.5 billion ACRES scheme [§35].
  • EU LIFE co-financing €41.9 million across nine Irish environmental and nature conservation projects [§35].
  • The EU Recovery and Resilience Facility (€108 million) for peatlands rehabilitation — the principal funding stream for the 33,000-hectare Bord na Móna EDRRS programme (treated in the Peatlands flex section) [§35].
  • The EU Just Transition Fund (€12 million) for peatlands in the Midlands region [§35].
  • EU PEACEPLUS and the Shared Island Initiative (€11 million) for peatland restoration and invasive alien species [§35].
  • A new €60 million Water European Innovation Partnership, announced in 2023, supporting LAWPRO, Teagasc and Dairy Industry Ireland to work with farmers on water quality [§22].

At the EU level, the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021–2027 commits a minimum share of EU annual spending to biodiversity objectives, "starting with 7.5% in 2024 and at least 10% in 2026 and 2027" [§35]. The Plan references the EU-level recognition that biodiversity action requires at least €20 billion per year from public and private sources [§35].

Community and local finance. The Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF) awarded over €6 million between 2018 and 2023 for hundreds of small-scale Local Authority projects [§30]. Community Foundation Ireland's Biodiversity Fund, co-funded by NPWS, has granted over €1 million to deliver 181 Community Biodiversity Action Plans across all 26 counties [§31].

Blended finance. Peatland Finance Ireland (PFI) (treated in full in the Peatlands flex) is the primary blended public–private vehicle. The Plan identifies scope to refine government revenue streams from carbon taxes, environmental levies and green bonds linked to the EU Taxonomy on Sustainable Finance, and to develop new instruments such as impact bonds supported by InvestEU low-interest loans from the European Investment Bank [§37].

International finance. Action 5B1 commits that "at least 15% of Ireland's annual Climate Finance will have biodiversity protection/restoration as one of the intended objectives of programming," prioritising Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States, in line with Ireland's Climate Finance Roadmap 2022 and the GBF 30x30 goal [§64].

Expenditure tagging. A system to tag biodiversity expenditure across government was to be introduced in 2023 (1B4), with tagging subsequently extended to expenditure considered harmful to biodiversity (1B5), intended to result in greater transparency and to "move towards phasing out harmful incentives" [§37][§53]. NPWS is to review the recommendations of the Biodiversity Financial Needs Assessment (FNA) by 2024 (1B6), with the Biodiversity Forum conducting an independent review (1B7) [§53].

Sources:

  • §22 — Water EIP
  • §30–§31 — LBAF and Community Foundation Ireland Biodiversity Fund
  • §35 — EU funding streams
  • §36 — NPWS Strategic Action Plan
  • §37 — Peatland Finance Ireland and expenditure tagging
  • §53 — Outcome 1B finance actions
  • §64 — International Climate Finance

7. GBF Target Coverage

Target 1 — Spatial planning

Addressed. Outcome 3C directs all Public Authorities and private sector bodies to move towards no net loss of biodiversity through strategies, planning, mitigation and/or investment in Blue-Green infrastructure by 2030 (3C1). All Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies, City and County Development Plans, Local Area Plans and Local Biodiversity Action Plans are to be aligned with NBAP objectives by 2030 (3C3). The Office of the Planning Regulator is to publish a Case Study Paper on integrating green infrastructure, nature-based solutions and ecosystem services in land-use plans (3C2). The Department of Transport will update the Transport Appraisal Framework by 2024 to include enhanced consideration of local environmental and biodiversity impacts.

Target 2 — Ecosystem restoration

Addressed. A dedicated Outcome 2F commits to the publication of a National Restoration Plan by 2026 (2F1) and implementation by 2027 (2F2), with the NBAP itself to be updated by 2027 to incorporate it (1A9). Substantive restoration is spread across terrestrial, freshwater and marine domains and treated in full in the Peatlands flex and in Section 3. Coillte's escalator (20% → 30% by 2025 → 50% by 2030, half native woodland) and Bord na Móna's 33,000-hectare peatland rehabilitation by 2026 anchor the terrestrial commitments. Restoration of 300 km of rivers to a free-flowing state by 2030 is under exploration (2D21).

Target 3 — Protected areas (30×30)

Addressed. Commitment 2D11 commits to MPA legislation with "≥10% MPA coverage as soon as practicable, and 30% by 2030." Commitment 2A5 commits that Habitats and Birds Directive habitats and species show no deterioration by 2030 and that "at least 30% of those not in favourable status will reach that status or show a positive trend." NPWS will identify preliminary future protected areas under the EU Biodiversity Strategy by 2024 (2A8 — flagged as interim). Internationally, 5B1 commits Ireland to scale up support for MPA designation and management in LDCs and SIDS. Baseline current-coverage figures are not stated in the extracted briefing.

Target 4 — Species recovery

Addressed. NPWS is to publish and implement Species Action or Threat Response Plans with population targets (Outcome 2A), tracked against National Biodiversity Indicator B.6. A National Centre for Species Survival and a national wildlife Biobanking Hub are to be established at Dublin Zoo (2A10, 2E3). A coordinated seed-bank network spans the National Botanic Gardens Wild Flora Seed Bank, the Threatened Seed Bank at Trinity College Dublin, the Crop Wild Relative, Cereal and Potato Seed Bank at DAFM, the Apples and Vegetable Seed Bank at the Irish Seed Savers Association, and Teagasc's Grassland and Clover Seed Bank (2E7). The Forest Genetic Resources Working Group works to genetically characterise all native tree species by 2030 (2E2).

Target 5 — Sustainable harvest

Addressed. DAFM and the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority implement the EU Common Fisheries Policy, Multiannual Plans for vulnerable stocks, and action against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (2D13–2D16). The commitment is that commercial fish and shellfish stocks are "maintained or restored to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as soon as possible" — classified as a directional aspiration. Fisheries management is delivered at national level within the six-nautical-mile limit and at EU regional level outside. NPWS is to lead a review of the Open Seasons Order by 2024 to ensure "the principles of wise use are accounted for" (1E6).

Target 6 — Invasive alien species

Addressed. Dedicated Outcome 2H commits that by 2030 IAS are "controlled, managed, and where possible, eradicated" within Protected Areas and effectively controlled in urban, peri-urban, wider-countryside, and marine and coastal areas. NPWS is to establish a new IAS unit with enforcement resources (2H1), introduce national legislation giving effect to EU IAS Regulation 1143/2014 including responsibilities for aquatic IAS (2H3), and develop a National Management Plan for Invasive Alien Species (2H2). Ireland will accede to the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments and participate in the Paris MOU Concentrated Inspection Campaign in 2025. An all-island approach is formalised through €11 million from EU PEACEPLUS and cooperation with Northern Ireland authorities. NBDC produces IAS Risk Assessments, tracked against National Biodiversity Indicator C.3.i.

Target 7 — Pollution reduction

Addressed. Commitment 2B6 adopts the EU Biodiversity Strategy goal to reduce the use and risk of chemical pesticides by 50% by 2030. The third-cycle River Basin Management Plan (2022–2027) frames water-quality commitments, supported by Uisce Éireann's Water Services Strategic Plan (2015–2040) and the Blue Dot Catchments Programme for high-status waters. DAFM's CAP Strategic Plan supports the Nitrates Action Plan through circular and localised nutrient management (2D4). A new €60 million Water EIP supports farm-level water quality work. Plastic pollution is not quantified in the extracted briefing.

Target 8 — Climate and biodiversity

Addressed. NPWS is to review and publish the outcome of Ireland's Biodiversity Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan 2019–2024 by 2024 (2C4). DECC is to integrate biodiversity recommendations from the 2022 Review of the National Adaptation Framework (2C5). Terrestrial and freshwater/marine nature-based solutions are to be promoted by 2025 (2C7, 2C8), including restoration of blue-carbon ecosystems such as seagrass and saltmarsh. The All-Island Climate and Biodiversity Research Network (AICBRN) anchors North-South research cooperation. Ocean acidification is referenced in framing but not quantified in the extracted material.

Target 9 — Wild species use

Mentioned. Coverage is indirect through fisheries commitments under Outcome 2D (see Target 5) and the NPWS review of the Open Seasons Order (1E6). The extracted material does not contain specific provisions on benefits of sustainable wild-species use for vulnerable populations or on equitable benefit distribution.

Target 10 — Agriculture / forestry

Addressed. Headline 2030 agricultural targets adopted from the EU Biodiversity Strategy: 10% organic farming (2B4), at least 4% biodiversity-rich landscape features (2B5), and 50% pesticide reduction (2B6). The CAP Strategic Plan 2023–2027, co-financed by €3.86 billion EAFRD, anchors agricultural delivery through ACRES and the Organic Farming Scheme. High Nature Value farming and agro-ecology tools are to be developed by 2027 (2B7). Coillte forest-estate commitments escalate from 20% (current) to 30% by 2025 (+44,000 ha) to 50% by 2030, with half of new planting in native woodlands (2B17–2B19). The NPWS Farm Plan Scheme is to be resourced to expand farms delivering conservation measures (2B15).

Target 11 — Ecosystem services (nature-based solutions)

Addressed. Nature-based solutions are operationalised across Outcomes 2C, 2D and 3C: OPW develops Nature-based Solutions for Catchment Management through the SLOWWATERS research project (2D7, 2D8); the Office of the Planning Regulator is to publish a Case Study Paper on integrating green infrastructure, NbS and ecosystem services in land-use plans (3C2). Outcome 4D commits to Natural Capital Accounting: a network of experts for the island of Ireland by 2027 (4D1); CSO ecosystem accounts aligned with the SEEA-EA framework by 2027 (4D2, 4D4); a national assessment of stocks, flows and trends in ecosystem services, coordinated with relevant authorities in Northern Ireland, by 2027 (4D5).

Target 12 — Urban biodiversity

Addressed. Outcome 3A (3A3) commits Local Authorities to identify and respond to opportunities for enhancing the biocultural value of green and blue urban environments (GBUE) by end-2027, including through design strategies, visual and performing arts, equity of access, and integration of cultural services in LBAPs. All Local Authorities are to have a Biodiversity Action Plan by end-2026 (1C6), and a Biodiversity Officer in each of the 31 Local Authorities by 2026 (1B9). IAS are to be effectively controlled in urban and peri-urban areas by 2030 (2H1).

Target 13 — Genetic resources / ABS

Addressed. By 2024 NPWS is to put in place an operational framework for implementation of the Nagoya Protocol (2E8). Complementary actions include DAFM's Genetic Resources Grant Aid (2E1), genetic characterisation of all native tree species by 2030 via the Forest Genetic Resources Working Group (2E2), a national wildlife Biobanking Hub at Dublin Zoo by 2027 (2E3), the Irish Seed Savers Association and Teagasc seed-bank network (2E7), and an updated National Strategy for Plant Conservation aligned with the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (2E6). Digital sequence information is not addressed in the extracted material.

Target 14 — Mainstreaming

Addressed. Mainstreaming is the explicit frame of Objective 1. The NBAP is placed on a statutory footing (1A1); the Biodiversity Working Group has expanded membership review by 2024 (1A2); DPENDR tracks biodiversity-positive (1B4) and biodiversity-harmful (1B5) expenditure; NPWS is to explore the rights of nature including potential constitutional change by 2024 (1C2); the NBAP is considered in Phase 2 of the National Land Use Review (1C3); sectoral mainstreaming spans transport appraisal (3C4), tourism (3A7), enterprise (CSRD, Enterprise Ireland, IDA), finance (3B5), heritage (3A1) and bioeconomy (3B6, 3B7).

Target 15 — Business disclosure

Addressed. DETE leads implementation of the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) by 2024 (3B2), making biodiversity reporting a legal requirement for qualifying Irish businesses. Business for Biodiversity Ireland is to publish six sectoral best-practice guidelines by end-2025, including guidance on TNFD and Science-based Targets for Nature (3B12). BBI member materiality assessments are to reach ≥60% by end-2025 and ≥90% by end-2027 (3B11). Origin Green is to track and report farm and company member biodiversity actions annually from 2023 (3B9).

Target 16 — Sustainable consumption

Mentioned. No quantified food-waste or overconsumption target is identified in the extracted material. Related measures appear in Outcome 3B: the National Bioeconomy Action Plan contains recommendations for sustainable use and protection of biodiversity and natural capital (3B6); bioeconomy feasibility assessments include environmental and social feasibility, with activities expected not to reduce resilience or degrade biodiversity (3B7); and Business for Biodiversity Ireland is to explore how the Climate Toolkit 4 Business could include biodiversity-related actions for small businesses (3B10).

Target 17 — Biosafety

Not identified. Content addressing GBF Target 17 was not identified in this NBSAP.

Target 18 — Harmful subsidies

Addressed. DPENDR will track and report expenditure allocations on measures aimed at improving biodiversity (1B4) and, separately, on measures "that may adversely affect biodiversity" (1B5), with the stated intent to "move towards phasing out harmful incentives" [§37]. NPWS reviews the Biodiversity Financial Needs Assessment by 2024 (1B6), and the Biodiversity Forum conducts an independent review (1B7). Ireland does not adopt a dollar-value target comparable to KMGBF's US$500 billion per year figure.

Target 19 — Finance mobilisation

Addressed. Multiple named EU finance streams with quantified allocations (€3.86 billion EAFRD, €41.9 million LIFE, €108 million RRF for peatlands, €12 million Just Transition Fund, €11 million PEACEPLUS) are combined with a new domestic Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund. Blended public–private instruments under development include Peatland Finance Ireland, impact bonds and InvestEU facility loans. Action 5B1 commits that at least 15% of Ireland's annual Climate Finance will have biodiversity protection/restoration as one of the intended objectives of programming, prioritising LDCs and SIDS.

Target 20 — Capacity and technology

Addressed. An application is to be made to the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) to conduct a review of skills needs — ecologists, taxonomists, biodiversity data experts — by 2026 (4A1). A Biodiversity Officer is to be in each of the 31 Local Authorities by 2026. The National Museum of Ireland leads annual taxonomic identification workshops (4A4). NPWS will incentivise increased participation from Ireland's research community in IPBES assessment reports and nomination processes by 2025 (5B5). The All-Island Climate and Biodiversity Research Network (AICBRN) formalises North-South scientific cooperation.

Target 21 — Data and information

Addressed. The National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC) holds over 6 million records of almost 18,000 species, supports more than 30,000 recorders, and is Ireland's GBIF node. A progress tracker mapped to Multilateral Environmental Agreements is to be developed by 2024 (1A3). The State of Knowledge and Key Knowledge Gaps report is to be updated by 2024 (4C7), informing a national biodiversity monitoring framework by 2025. The National Botanic Gardens will digitise vascular plant herbarium specimens to EU FAIR standards by 2027 (4B3); biodiversity data is to adhere to national open data policy by 2030 (4B7). The EPA, supported by DHLGH/NPWS, is to commission an assessment of an integrated site and monitoring data solution by end-2028 (4B1).

Target 22 — Inclusive participation

Mentioned. Ireland's NBAP does not use the indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLC) framing of the KMGBF. It does reference deliberative-democracy inputs — the Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss (99 members, 159 recommendations, April 2023) and the Young People's Assembly on Biodiversity — and commits Government to fully consider the Oireachtas Committee conclusions by 2024 (1C1). Údarás na Gaeltachta and DTCAGSM will produce a policy statement on biodiversity, landscape, topography, community development and the Irish language by end-2024 with an action plan by end-2025 (3A5), and Údarás na Gaeltachta will address the role Gaeltacht Islands and Island communities can play in securing cultural and natural heritage through its Glas Strategy (3A6). Gaeltacht-community provisions should not be rendered as IPLC commitments without qualification. A Children and Young People's Biodiversity Forum is to be established by 2024 (1D10).

Target 23 — Gender equality

Not identified. Content addressing GBF Target 23 was not identified in this NBSAP.

KMGBF Targets Referenced