Ireland supports one of the highest stable populations of Otters in Europe.
Biodiversity loss continues to be a significant problem. Europe’s nature is in alarming decline, with more than 80% of habitats in poor condition. Thankfully, several initiatives are being taken to try to arrest the loss and/or to restore areas that have suffered damage in the past.
One of the initiatives used is the Biodiversity Action Plan abbreviated to BAP, a plan that turns vague, general, and well-meaning aspirations into specific actions. The best and most meaningful BAPs are those that define the actions to be taken, set time-bound targets for achieving these actions, ensure that they are achievable, see that they are properly resourced and funded, define who is responsible and accountable for achieving the targets, and report on progress and outcomes.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is the agency that manages the government’s BAP, our national BAP or NBAP. The present NBAP is the fourth in a series, is in effect for the period 2023-2030, and it is the first BAP to be placed on a statutory footing under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2023.
Last week the NPWS published a progress report detailing how things were progressing with the 4th NBAP. They assigned a status to each of 194 actions being taken according to five categories: ‘Completed’, ‘On Track’, ‘Behind Schedule’, ‘Delayed Action’, and ‘Not Yet Started’.
The good news is that 44 of the actions set out in the NBAP have been completed, including crucial governance-related actions, such as an expanded interdepartmental Biodiversity Working Group and the tracking of expenditure allocations that may improve or adversely impact biodiversity. A further 108 actions are on track, which together with the completed actions amounts to almost 80% of 194 actions.
Only 16 are running behind schedule but remain in progress, with measures being taken to bring them back on course, 13 are delayed due to various factors but steps are being taken to support progress, and 13 have not yet started, though all fall within the expected timeframe and are not currently at risk.
The government is also working on a national Nature Restoration Plan following the adoption by the European Union in August 2024 of the Nature Restoration Law, a key element of the EU Biodiversity Strategy. When Ireland’s Nature Restoration Plan has been compiled and published, it is proposed to scaleup ambition for delivery of the NBAP and to deliver both plans in tandem.