We are delighted to launch a report by members of the National Biodiversity Forum calling for the government to radically step up efforts to address the #biodiversity crisis - and ensure Ireland's next Biodiversity Action Plan is an “impact plan” 1/10 https://www.biodiversityimpactplan.ie/ 

Members of the Biodiversity Forum - including some of our leading conservation experts - today delivered a report to Minister of State for Heritage @MalcolmNoonan1 highlighting how the current plan has failed to stem the decline of biodiversity @NatureNymph @whittledaway 2/10

While acknowledging some progress, such as the success of @PollinatorPlan and roll-out of ‘results-based’ agri-environment schemes, the report is clear that previous plans have “not succeeded in halting or reversing negative biodiversity trends” @MORANEnv @y_buckley 3/10

The #BiodiversityImpactPlan makes 5 key recommendations:
Ensure effective governance & stewardship
Finance the plan and prioritise action
Recover, restore, renew biodiversity & ecosystems
Build, connect & use the knowledge base
Engage communities & private sector 4/10

Biodiversity is currently not ‘mainstreamed’ across government - a key recommendation of the #BiodiversityImpactPlan is that the next plan be put on a legal footing with clear lines of accountability. @agriculture_ie @Dept_ECC @IRLDeptPER @IRLDeptFinance @npwsBioData 5/10

The government must increase funding for biodiversity commensurate with the scale of the emergency. The National Biodiversity Expenditure Review found that on average, Ireland spends just €250million per year on #biodiversity @S_Mc_G 6/10

The report finds that Ireland does not adequately fund even basic environmental compliance - and the biggest transgressor is the State, ie an EU Court of Justice fine of €15million for failing to ensure an environmental impact assessment for Derrybrien wind farm. 7/10

The #BiodiversityImpactReport report makes recommendations for reaching new international commitments to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030, noting that insufficient conservation management means “Ireland offers little more than paper protection for its designated areas”. 8/10

The State must lead in resourcing and managing nature on existing designated sites, put new designations on public land, incentivise & engage with local authorities, communities, farmers and private landowners to maintain/enhance biodiversity & create local nature reserves. 9/10

Finally, the report emphasises that the creation of #MarineProtectedAreas must “become a higher priority inpolicies” and there must be more investment in implementing plans to improve our marine environment. @BordIascMhara @MarineInst 10/10

Read more: https://www.biodiversityimpactplan.ie/