Nature and Biodiversity

In a submission to the newly formed Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) on its Draft Strategic Plan 2019-2024, An Taisce called for the organisation to set strong planning targets if Ireland is to achieve the objectives laid out in the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

An Taisce is seeking a response from Minister Madigan on this exposure of systemic policy failure in the Department of Culture Heritage and the Gaeltacht in relation to climate action and peatland protection, in light of the climate and biodiversity loss emergencies.

An Taisce has formally written to Minister Josepha Madigan, TD, Minister for Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht, in relation to the decision of 4th September 2019 by An Bord Pleanála relating to turf cutting and peat extraction at Coolree and Blackwood Bog, Robertstown, Co Kildare. An Taisce calls for a fundamental review of the Department's Peatlands Strategy in order to properly prioritise and integrate climate action with peatland protection and reversal of biodiversity loss on a national basis.

An Taisce response to the new report produced by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) which confirms that Ireland’s agricultural model of over-dependence on animal agriculture, particularly beef and dairy, comes at a devastatingly high ecological cost.

International Accreditation for Park Excellence in Ireland has now expanded to our Historic Cemeteries and University Campuses.

Agriculture is a crucial part of the economy as well as being the backbone of rural Ireland. The future for Irish agriculture should be one of a thriving sector that is climate-resilient, with a focus on indigenous food security, while protecting biodiversity and minimising negative impacts such as air and water pollution. The assessment by the Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) of the agriculture and land sector, published this week, has been welcomed by An Taisce as a timely, if overdue, contribution to a critical national debate.