Minister for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan has outline the ongoing work that Ireland is doing to protect and restore biodiversity, at the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in Cali, Colombia (COP16).
The event is the first meeting of international leaders since the historic 'Global Biodiversity Framework' was finalised in Montreal in 2022, where it was agreed to conserve 30% of the planet's lands, waters and seas by 2030 and restore 30% of all degraded ecosystems.
Speaking at the Ministerial High Level Segment late on Tuesday night Irish Time (29th October), Minister Noonan outlined Ireland's progress in meeting the goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework since 2022: "Two years ago in Montreal, we – the global community – made important and hard-won promises to protect and restore biodiversity, and to halt its loss. We made them to our citizens, to future generations, to each other, and to the natural world. We did so in the knowledge that our promises were not only vital to the integrity of the web of life, but our first and best line of defence against a climate changed future. Today, I want to outline how Ireland is keeping those promises, and aligning them with our efforts to reduce emissions from land and improve climate resilience.
"We are rehabilitating over 20,000 hectares of peatland, and planning for an additional 44,000 by 2030, to stop carbon losses and enable sequestration, while creating valuable habitat. We are also bringing nature back to tens of thousands of farms, by working with communities to reward positive outcomes for habitats and species. We have expanded protected areas in our seas and oceans from 2.4% to almost 10%, and we are committed to meeting our target of 30% by 2030.
"We also led on public engagement in biodiversity policymaking: we held a Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss, and a parallel Children and Young People's Assembly. The recommendations they made greatly enhanced our National Biodiversity Action Plan, which was recently assessed by the WWF as one of the strongest in the world. Its sister policy, a Water Action Plan to restore freshwater and coastal ecosystems, has just been published. And work is now beginning on our national Nature Restoration Plan, under the Nature Restoration Law. 'Tús maith, leath na hoibre' – in English, "If you start well, you have half the job done". Ireland has a long way to go, but we have started well - and we will keep going."
The Minister also met with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. He reaffirmed Ireland's commitment to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and emphasised the importance of urgent resource mobilisation to unlock global biodiversity action.
He highlighted Ireland's establishment of a €3.15 billion Climate and Nature Fund, and reiterated the importance of investing in the integration of environmental action across nature, water and climate to restore the planet's ecosystems.
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Construction News
30/10/2024
Minister Outlines Ireland's Work To Protect And Restore Biodiversity
Latest Construction News
30/10/2024
Flogas has announced an ambitious €50 million plan to deliver solar energy projects for large Irish businesses over the next five years. The company's new Solar as a Service (SaaS) offering will enable businesses to harness the power of solar energy without significant upfront costs. By partnering ...
30/10/2024
A planning application for a new residential development in Ballyclare has been approved. The development, located west of Huntingdale Green and southeast of Ballyclare Cemetery, will comprise 56 homes, including a mix of detached and semi-detached properties. The approved plans include provision ...
30/10/2024
SSE Airtricity has today announced the launch of its €5 million all-island Community Fund, a significant initiative designed to empower local communities across Ireland to drive sustainable change. The fund aims to support community-led projects that contribute to the transition to a net zero ...
30/10/2024
Minister for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan has outline the ongoing work that Ireland is doing to protect and restore biodiversity, at the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in Cali, Colombia (COP16). The event is the ...
30/10/2024
Construction has officially begun on a new, state-of-the-art visitor amenity building at the renowned Tyrella Beach. The project, led by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and executed by Bell Contracts, aims to enhance the visitor experience at this popular Blue Flag beach. The new facility ...
30/10/2024
Power NI recently participated in the Mid South West Net Zero Programme Business Breakfast, hosted by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council. The event brought together local businesses, industry leaders, and public sector representatives to discuss the challenges and opportunities of transitioning ...
30/10/2024
Uisce Éireann, Ireland's national water utility, has completed a major upgrade to the water supply network in the Carnatreantagh and Church Hill areas of Donegal. The project involved the replacement of over 2 kilometres of aging water mains with modern, durable pipes. The works, which commenced ...
30/10/2024
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O'Brien, has announced the further development of the Apartment and Duplex Defects Remediation Scheme to address retrospective costs, following recent Cabinet approval to explore the best method of doing so. The Minister is establishing ...
30/10/2024
A new signalised PUFFIN crossing will be operational on the A5 Omagh Road at Ballygawley Roundabout from 4 November 2024. The new crossing is part of a wider scheme that includes the widening of 430 meters of footway near St Ciaran’s High School and the Translink Park and Ride site. Infrastructure ...
30/10/2024
Are you ready to finally tackle those home renovation projects you've been putting off... ...