Minister O’Sullivan publishes National Biodiversity Action Plan progress report
- Foilsithe:
- An t-eolas is déanaí:
Almost 80% of 194 actions are on track or complete
Key achievements include greater accountability for public bodies in protecting biodiversity, and actions for designated habitats and protected species
Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, has today (13 February 2026) published the 2025 report on the Implementation of Ireland’s National Biodiversity Action Plan 2023-2030. The report reveals that almost 80% of the plan’s strategic actions are currently on track or finished, and highlights a transformative shift in how state bodies approach nature conservation.
Prepared by the National Parks and Wildlife Service with input from the Inter-departmental Biodiversity Working Group, the report found that 44 actions have been fully completed since the National Biodiversity Action Plan was published. These include the establishment of an online progress tracker and annual reporting for public bodies, processes to track how government expenditure impacts the natural world and new guidelines for the development of Local Authority Biodiversity Action Plans.
Minister O’Sullivan said:
“The progress we are seeing reflects a truly collaborative effort across Government, public bodies and wider society to protect and restore nature, and I would like to thank everyone whose work has helped us get to this point.
“It’s vital now that we maintain this focus and keep moving forward together. Sustained commitment is essential to ensure that Ireland’s fourth National Biodiversity Action Plan – which was ranked as one of the best in the world by the WWF – can be translated into the lasting recovery that our natural world needs. More people than ever understand that nature is at the root of our culture, our health and wellbeing, and our economy. The progress to date is a very positive start and I am committed to doing everything I can to continue the spirit of partnership and shared responsibility necessary to ensure nature thrives for future generations.”
Key Achievements to Date:
Legal Accountability: The enactment of the Wildlife Amendment Act 2023 introduced a 'Biodiversity Duty' on public bodies, requiring them to report on their actions for biodiversity, deepening institutional awareness.
Policy Integration: Biodiversity objectives now integrated into national policies on climate, water, forestry and education.
Restoration Milestones: Restoration efforts have intensified, specifically regarding the preparation of the National Nature Restoration Plan (NRP).
Strengthening protection of designated areas and species: Achievements include the establishment of the Centre for Species Survival at Dublin Zoo, and the expansion of the network of National Parks and Nature Reserves.
Niall Ó Donnchú, Director General of the NPWS said:
“This report shows that biodiversity is increasingly recognised as a shared responsibility across government departments and public bodies. There is also greater public awareness of biodiversity. It’s important that members of the public and partner organisations can see progress underway, and I encourage people to take a look at the tracker.”
Measures are also being taken to progress the remaining actions. The report identifies a critical need to increase private sector participation and improve the availability of biodiversity data to inform future decision-making.
The 4th NBAP is scheduled for a formal update in 2027 following the publication of the National Nature Restoration Plan.
ENDS
Note to editor
The 2025 Report on Implementation of Ireland’s National Biodiversity Action Plan 2023-2030 is available to download here
The National Biodiversity Action Plan Progress Tracker is available here.
Ireland’s fourth National Biodiversity Action Plan aims to deliver the transformative changes required to the ways in which we value and protect nature. The Plan is available here.
Natura Communities: This six-year project (2025–2030) empowers local communities to lead nature recovery and biodiversity restoration at a grassroots level.