Nature

Scientific Context

• As many as 1 million animal and plant species face extinction, many within decades, unless action is taken to curb biodiversity loss and restore ecosystems. [1]
• Industrial expansion, agriculture, urbanization, and other human activities have transformed 75% of the planet’s terrestrial environments, severely impacting ecosystems and species. [2]
• Wildlife populations have plummeted by 69% in just 50 years. [3]
• This loss of biodiversity threatens not only ecosystems but also the vital services they provide, from pollination to water purification and carbon storage, which undermines global food security, public health, and efforts to combat climate change. [4]

Legislative and Regulatory Context

International

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, internationally adopted in 2022 and dubbed the ‘Paris Agreement for Nature’, is a landmark agreement aimed at halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030.

• Vision: A world living in harmony with nature, where “by 2050, biodiversity is valued, conserved, restored, and wisely used, maintaining ecosystem services, sustaining a healthy planet, and delivering benefits essential for all people.”
• Mission of the Framework for the period up to 2030, towards the 2050 vision: To take urgent action to halt and reverse biodiversity loss to put nature on a path to recovery for the benefit of people and planet by conserving and sustainably using biodiversity and by ensuring the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the use of genetic resources, while providing the necessary means of implementation.

It sets out 23 targets to restore ecosystems and safeguard nature. One of the most ambitious is the “30×30” target, which commits to protecting 30% of the world’s land and oceans by 2030, a critical step to combat habitat destruction and species extinction. Additionally, it calls for the elimination of harmful subsidies (which amount to $500 billion annually) while ensuring the sustainable use of biodiversity across all sectors.

The framework emphasises the equitable sharing of genetic resources, aligning conservation with social justice, and requires that businesses measure and reduce their impacts on biodiversity. This global pact underscores the urgency of transformative action to avert ecosystem collapse, restore balance with nature, and safeguard the planet’s future.

European

Nature loss in the EU has reached alarming proportions, with 80% of habitats in poor or very poor condition. The EU is not on track to reach its 2030 target for terrestrial protected areas, the area of land affected by drought is increasing, and common birds and grassland butterflies are in long-term decline**[5].** Restoration is the main tool needed to reverse the decline and degradation of nature.

In June 2024, a historic step was taken by the EU to reverse this trend with the approval of the EU Nature Restoration Law, a key element of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. It calls for legally binding targets to restore degraded ecosystems, particularly those that can best capture and store carbon as well as prevent and reduce the impact of natural disasters. This law is the first of its kind because it applies across borders and covers large parts of an entire continent. It is also significant because of its comprehensive remit, targeting multiple major ecosystems such as marine, forest, wetland, agricultural, and urban.

National

Ireland’s 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) 2023–2027 aligns closely with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. The NBAP’s goals, such as conserving 30% of land and marine areas by 2030 and restoring key ecosystems, reflect the global 30×30 target. It also addresses the reduction of harmful activities like pollution and habitat destruction, in line with international commitments to halt biodiversity loss.

Relevant to businesses, the plan emphasises the integration of biodiversity considerations into corporate decision-making and land-use practices. It encourages the adoption of sustainable agriculture, forestry, and urban planning, while also urging businesses to reduce their ecological footprints and invest in nature-based solutions. Companies are encouraged to contribute to conservation efforts, restore ecosystems, and engage in biodiversity-friendly practices that align with both national and global biodiversity goals. It calls for a ‘Whole of Government, Whole of Society’ approach to biodiversity action, for businesses to understand their impacts and dependencies on nature and to take targeted action to reduce their impact on nature.

Given Ireland’s commitment to a Net Zero, nature-positive future, it is imperative that businesses demonstrate they are prepared for and will remain relevant in a very different world.