About

National Biodiversity Indicators

National Biodiversity Indicators are a collection of indicators that monitor changes in Ireland’s species, habitats and landscapes, as well as reflecting broader changes relating to biodiversity in Irish society. These indicators provide an important source of evidence for the public and decision makers on the state, trends, pressures and conservation actions relating to biodiversity. The indicators also facilitate reporting on Ireland’s progress towards attaining national, European and global biodiversity targets.

Background

In 2010, the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) agreed to a Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020. The Strategic Plan includes a series of 20 targets, commonly known as the Aichi 2020 Biodiversity Targets, relating to the sustainable management and use of the world’s biological resources. In alignment with CBD Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020, the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 has a suite biodiversity indicators in operation at a European scale (the SEBI initiative), and Ireland’s national biodiversity action plan “Actions for Biodiversity 2011-2016”, identifies the need for a set of national biodiversity indicators. In 2013, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, National Parks and Wildlife Service, initiated the development of National Biodiversity Indicators and, in 2014, the National Biodiversity Data Centre was given the responsibility for their collation and reporting.

A CBD-mandated international initiative supporting the development of Aichi-relevant national indicators has been launched http://www.bipindicators.net/ to promote and coordinate development and delivery of biodiversity indicators in support of the CBD, Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEA), Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem services (IPBES), national and regional governments and a range of other sectors.

Media Pack

National Biodiversity Indicators Press Release (09-12-2015)

National Biodiversity Indicators Media Pack (09-12-2015)