Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 September 2023
221. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to introduce a framework whereby corporations and large businesses can help to address nature conservation and the restoration of biodiversity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41005/23]
View answerI and my Department have engaged in planning for a concentrated and coordinated cross-Government approach to driving business engagement with biodiversity. The Deputy may be aware that detailed work on Ireland’s fourth National Biodiversity Action Plan has been the subject of significant effort over the last two years by Government Departments, led by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, with the support, advice and input of the Biodiversity Working Group and Biodiversity Forum. I expect that this Action Plan will be reviewed and approved by Cabinet and published shortly.
I also want to note and acknowledge the good work done and evident in the recent reports and recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss, which I believe Government can substantially address through implementation of the forthcoming National Biodiversity Action Plan.
‘Business for Biodiversity Ireland’ is the key stakeholder platform for businesses to engage with, its lead by Natural Capital Ireland with seed funding provided by Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine. The platform is further supported by The National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC) and Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI). The platform is intended to drive the transition to a nature positive Irish economy, where activities enhance natural systems in addition to minimising impact, by harnessing the energy and innovation capacity of Irish businesses. This platform facilitates businesses engaging directly with their impacts on our natural resources, and also provide policy makers, state agencies and businesses useful case studies, information, as well as facilitating networking and mentoring.
I and my Department are committed to working with Business for Biodiversity Ireland to explore how we best engage enterprises. For example, the ‘Climate Toolkit 4 Business’ could include more biodiversity related actions for small businesses to help them reduce negative impacts on biodiversity, promote nature positivity, and to contribute to the achievement of the National Biodiversity Action Plan. My Department will work with Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland to integrate biodiversity into relevant programmes and activities. IDA Ireland is also to develop biodiversity measures across their property programme, in line with the commitment to biodiversity measures outlined in IDA’s 2021-2024 strategy, Driving Recovery and Sustainable Growth.
For businesses that do not have substantial lands, water use or on-site pollutants, biodiversity can appear an abstract objective somewhat removed from the day-to-day running of their business. For small businesses in particular, who generally have low intensity natural resource use, may also have limited time and resources to engage with tangible biodiversity initiatives. The ‘Business for Biodiversity Ireland’ project and engagement through the Climate Toolkit for Business, and the enterprise development agencies, should make these objectives more tangible and develop a practical set of biodiversity actions that business can be supported and encouraged to implement.
