In 1992, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development was held in Rio de Janeiro and attended by over 150 governments. One landmark international agreement that resulted was acceptance of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). This recognised for the first time that biological diversity is ‘’a common concern for humankind’ with each country needing to take responsibility in order to halt the global loss of biodiversity. The Irish Government signed the CBD in 1992, and ratified it in 1996.

One of the main obligations is that each Contracting Party develop national strategies or plans for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity.  Action 10 of Ireland’s first National Biodiversity Plan published in 2002, and Action 1.8 of the second plan in 2011 prioritise the designation of “a suitably qualified officer for natural heritage conservation matters in its area”, to facilitate the implementation of the National Biodiversity Action Plan and manage biodiversity conservation at a community level.

There are major plans for an increase in the number of City and County Biodiversity Officers over the coming years. The Biodiversity Officers will be involved with, among other things, creating a Local Biodiversity Forum, developing Local Biodiversity Plans, and undertaking research, surveys and data collection.

More information on the Heritage Council’s County Heritage Officer and Biodiversity Officer Network can be found here:

Local Authority Biodiversity Officer Programme | The Heritage Council