First national assembly on biodiversity loss reports

The Irish Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss, thought to be the first of its kind, has delivered its final report with a whopping 159 recommendations. These include a call for a referendum to amend the constitution to ensure people have the right to a clean, healthy and safe environment, and that nature is protected so it can continue to provide food, clean freshwater and air, and support well-being, now and in the future.

The assembly, made up of 99 representatives of the public and a chair, voiced “clear disappointment” of the State’s failure to adequately fund, implement and enforce existing laws and policies – especially as the government has declared a biodiversity crisis. The assembly’s report states explicitly that this must change, and that sufficient money should be provided for enforcement and implementation of national legislation and EU biodiversity-related laws and directives related to biodiversity. 

Some 86 of the recommendations are directed at specific sectors, including agriculture, freshwaters, marine and coastal environments, peatlands, forestry, woodlands and hedgerows, protected sites and species, invasive species, and urban and built environments. 

Commenting on the final report the assembly’s chairperson, Dr Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin, emphasised the need for urgency and said that it is now incumbent on members of the Oireachtas (Ireland’s parliament) to study the report, consider its recommendations, and act upon them. During the launch of the report, she revealed that the Irish prime minister, Leo Varadkar, has requested to respond directly to the assembly.

A blueprint for everyone to take action

She also said that the report provided a blueprint for everyone to take action, without having to wait for overarching changes at government level, quoting a comment from an expert who contributed to the work of the assembly, she said: “We all aspire to be good ancestors”.

Ireland, like many other countries, has seen a dramatic decline in biodiversity over recent decades. For example:

• Over a quarter of Ireland’s regularly occurring bird species are in danger of extinction.

• Almost 30% of its semi-natural grasslands have been lost in the last decade. 

• Less than half of its marine environment can be described as healthy. 

• Over 70% of peatlands are in bad status.

• The majority of agricultural soil is in a suboptimal state, contaminated by nitrates and phosphates. 

• Water quality is declining, with almost 50% of freshwater systems in Ireland in poor and deteriorating condition.

With nearly 70% of the land used for agriculture, farming is at the heart of the assembly’s report. Several farmers participated in the assembly, and farming associations provided input. During the report’s launch Dr Ní Shúilleabháin said Ireland wanted to avoid the situation in some countries where farmers are pitted against environmentalists. She said that the assembly had provided a basis for engagement and discussion, noting that farmers have a role as the custodians of the land as they possess a rich knowledge and understanding of the environment, and that the agriculture industry must be supported in conserving and restoring biodiversity.

The assembly began its work in May 2022 based on resolutions agreed by Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann, both Houses of Oireachtas.