In 2022, the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity’s Conference of the Parties adopted the Global Biodiversity Framework, setting out a goal of conserving, through protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, 30% of terrestrial and marine areas by 2030. This target is reflected in the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2030, which outlines a similar ambition to protect 30% of the EU’s land area and 30% of the EU’s sea as part of a Trans-European Nature Network. The 30% protection target is a collective commitment at the EU level, rather than a mandatory national target for each individual Member State, reflecting national circumstances. In 2021, government committed to expand Ireland’s Marine Protected Area (MPA) network to 30% of our maritime area by 2030. For the terrestrial goal, the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department are assessing the potential for state-owned land to be pledged as protected areas. Progress towards the target is not limited to the designation of protected areas, but may incorporate other effective area-based conservation measures.
The EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 led to the creation and adoption of the landmark Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR). The NRR sets out a framework for member states to restore nature, with legally binding targets for the restoration of a wide range of ecosystems; namely rivers, forests, oceans, urban and agricultural areas, and including protected habitats and species. The Regulation came into force in August 2024 and each member state is now required to develop a national Nature Restoration Plan. Ireland has until 1 September 2026 to submit a draft National Restoration Plan to the EU Commission, setting out how we intend to achieve these legally binding targets. Work on the Plan is well underway. The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department is coordinating the development of the Plan, working with a wide range of government departments, as well as state bodies and agencies.
