Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 April 2023
120. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what role the proposed EU nature restoration law will play in meeting Ireland and the EUs climate commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19899/23]
View answerThe proposed EU Nature Restoration Law will be key in delivering the EU’s Biodiversity Strategy, setting binding targets across the European Union to restore degraded ecosystems and, in particular, providing important co-benefits that include carbon emissions reductions from the land use sector, increased capacity for carbon sequestration, better climate adaptation and resilience, improved water quality and enhanced ecological health of our rivers, lakes, streams and marine areas, as well as benefits to people’s health and well-being.
How we use our land has implications for human life, biodiversity and climate action. The Programme for Government committed to a Land-use Review to ensure that optimal land-use options inform all relevant Government decisions. The first phase of the Land-use Review focused on evidence gathering and the final report had 19 recommendations indicating the need for more monitoring; enhancing of our mapping capability; and better application of these tools to inform decision-making. The second phase, following on from the first, will seek to optimise land use across key Government objectives improving: socioeconomic; climate; biodiversity; water; and air quality outcomes. The intersections between the Land-use Review and the requirements of the Proposed EU Nature Restoration Law will be critical, requiring a collaborative cross-Departmental approach.
In the meantime, the Climate Action Plan, among the many actions on land, is seeking to deliver 35,900 hectares of peatland restoration as part of Bord na Móna Enhanced Decommissioning Rehabilitation and Restoration Scheme (EDRRS) and the EU LIFE People and Peatlands programme. Returning these lands to more natural conditions will not just reduce carbon emissions but deliver a range of co-benefits, including: the enrichment of Ireland’s natural capital; increased ecosystem services; strengthened biodiversity; and improved water quality and storage attenuation; as well as developing amenity potential.
In the Marine environment, we are assisting Ireland in meeting its objectives under the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive and Natura Directives. Ensuring that nature-based solutions are included in Ireland’s mitigation, resilience, and adaptation actions.
