EPA - Ireland's Environment, An Integrated Assessment - 2020

Foreword Our report also attests to a greater awareness about the positive benefits of a clean environment for health and wellbeing. Notwithstanding the difficulties people face during the on-going COVID-19 crisis that began in March 2020, we live in a time when there is societal momentum for change. The crisis has led many of us to redefine what we truly value and has shown us the importance of the natural environment in our local areas. We all expect, and rightfully so, that the air we breathe is clean, that the water we drink is safe, and that when we go to the beach that the bathing waters we swim in are not polluted. Now more than ever, Ireland’s green and blue spaces, which include urban parks, coasts, lakes and rivers, forests and bogs, are regarded as essential components of Ireland’s health infrastructure. These blue and green spaces allow people to get out in nature and away from the everyday stresses to the benefit of our health and well-being and therefore they need to be clean and protected. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on Ireland’s economy; the degree to which this impact will impede national environmental policy ambitions – including the transition to a climate-neutral economy – remains to be seen. It is imperative as we emerge from the pandemic crisis and look to stimulate economic recovery that we do so through a ‘green investment’ lens and so avoid spend that locks us into carbon intensive and otherwise unsustainable consumption and production patterns. Investment in a green recovery is rational and will yield substantial economic returns and outperform its less green counterparts on a number of important policy metrics. It can also provide the opportunity to deliver health and wellbeing co-benefits that will support resilience and recovery. This report provides the public, policymakers, non- governmental organisations, community groups, businesses and others with the evidence base to help them make informed decisions about what they can do to help protect and improve our natural environment. I hope that you find the report valuable and informative and that it can help you play your part in this important endeavour. Laura Burke Director General November 2020 5