DAERA Minister, MLA, has today launched a new
Nature Recovery Strategy, setting out a long-term framework to
restore Northern Ireland's habitats, address biodiversity loss
and protect the natural environment that supports our economy,
health and communities.
Shaped by input from stakeholders and members of the public, the
Strategy provides a framework for collective action, guided by
science and evidence.
It supports the wider international effort to reverse
biodiversity loss, including the 30 by 30' ambition to
effectively conserve and manage 30% of terrestrial and inland
water areas, and 30% of marine and coastal areas, for nature and
biodiversity by 2030.
Launching the Strategy on the Belfast Hills Minister Muir said:
Protecting and restoring nature is not just a nice thing to
do. We have a legal duty and moral obligation to future
generations to protect and enhance our natural environment.
We must put nature back at the heart of everything we do, because
when nature thrives, people flourish. Nature supports the
food we produce, the water we drink and the air we breathe. It is
essential to a strong economy, healthier communities and a more
resilient Northern Ireland.
"In an increasingly busy and challenging world every young person
should be able to connect with nature and enjoy the health and
well-being benefits of being close to nature.
With so much of our natural world lost, we must protect what
remains, restore what has been damaged and create new habitats at
scale. There are many inspiring examples of nature bouncing
back when given half a chance.
Around 9.9% of Northern Ireland's terrestrial land area and
approximately 38% of its marine waters are currently designated
as protected sites. However, designation alone does not mean
those areas meet the target: some sites require significant
ecological improvement before they can fully contribute.
The Minister continued: Our task is not simply to draw lines on a
map. Protected areas must be properly managed and genuinely
delivering for nature.
In addition, the need for definitive legal and statutory nature
restoration targets came across clearly in responses to the
consultation. Given the limited time remaining in this
shortened mandate, I have ensured that the Strategy includes a
target to take this forward in the next mandate.
The Minister said publication must now be followed by sustained
funding and action, with government, businesses, land managers,
environmental organisations and communities working together to
deliver nature recovery at scale.
Minister Muir said: Over the lifespan of the strategy sustained
funding and political support will be essential. Given the
scale of funding required, a biodiversity finance plan must be
developed to secure both government and private finance to
achieve our nature restoration goals.
"We can take inspiration from the large-scale nature recovery
projects funded through Peace Plus and Shared Island which are
already underway. This level of ambition and delivery needs
to be replicated across Northern Ireland.
Whilst government has a leading role to play, partnership with
businesses, land managers, environmental organisations,
communities and individuals is critically important.
We will therefore be establishing a Nature Recovery Forum as a
key delivery vehicle for the strategy.
The Nature Recovery Strategy contains five strategic objectives
and clear actions to help deliver transformation across
government, business and society to safeguard and restore nature
and biodiversity. It collates actions and targets already agreed
or in development in other strategies and identifies additional
actions to further promote nature restoration.
Notes to editors:
- The Nature Recovery Strategy for Northern Ireland to 2032:
Bigger, Better Managed And More Connected Nature can be
viewed from 2pm onwards at: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/consultations/draft-nature-recovery-strategy-extended-consultation-period
