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Ireland’s Environment 2012
82
Conclusion and
Future Challenges
Globally, the unprecedented and
continuing loss of biodiversity is one
of the greatest challenges facing
humanity. In order to establish our
credibility in tackling this challenge,
Ireland must take appropriate
measures to protect its own national
biodiversity and ensure that our
activities do not lead to biodiversity
loss elsewhere. Ireland supports a
wide variety of species and habitats,
many of which are of international
importance. However, significant
aspects of biodiversity in Ireland
are under threat from a range of
unsustainable activities.
Addressing the challenges to
protect biodiversity and to meet
international commitments will
require more concerted effort and
greater integration of biodiversity
across all sectors. Of particular
importance is that the actions
identified in the National Biodiversity
Plan 2011–2016 be delivered by the
relevant public bodies. Improved
coherence is also required at national
level between various plans and
programmes affecting biodiversity.
Sectoral initiatives to enhance
biodiversity, such as agri-environment
schemes, need to have clear and
specific objectives that correspond
to national biodiversity priorities
and targets. The objectives and
environmental performance of such
initiatives should be monitored and
reported. Similarly, decision-making
at regional and local levels must
also be consistent with high-level
commitments and national targets.
In support of this, local authorities
should implement county biodiversity
action plans to ensure protection
of natural heritage and promotion
of green infrastructure. Local
communities should be encouraged
to protect biodiversity through
education and local initiatives.
Strategies and action plans are
required to deal with high-priority
issues including invasive alien
species, conservation of peatland
and protection of species of highest
conservation value.
Improved information and indicators
on biodiversity and protected areas
and species are also needed to
facilitate evidence-based decision-
making on biodiversity issues at
national and local levels. The full
economic value of ecosystems and
their services should be calculated to
promote integration of these values
into the national accounting and
reporting systems.
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