Biodiversity Action Plan

Uisce Éireann recognises the urgent need to increase and accelerate efforts to halt the decline of biodiversity. We are committed to building infrastructure that protects and, where possible, enhances our ecosystems.

We have developed a biodiversity action plan (BAP) to help us conserve, enhance and work with the natural environment. This BAP outlines our strategic aims and the actions we will take to achieve them.

Uisce Éireann has developed a progress report to describe how the BAP has been implemented since its launch in 2021. It outlines the progress made against each of the BAP’s seven objectives and provides details of how the measures have been implemented to achieve the actions so far, the challenges faced as these actions are implemented, and the next steps required to continue the work going forwards. As stated in the BAP, it was intended that it would be reviewed and updated every five years to ensure that it is fit for purpose and aligns with the relevant EU and national policies. However, given the new Nature Restoration Laws, impending National Restoration Plan, and the requirement of some Planning Authorities for UÉ to demonstrate Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) as part of our planning applications, the BAP will be reviewed in 2024 and revised, if required, in 2025.This progress report will feed into the overall review process of the BAP.

We're committed to protecting Ireland's terrestrial and aquatic species in all our activities. By working responsibly, we can play our part to halt the decline of Ireland's rich biodiversity. We deliver clean drinking water across the country and return treated wastewater safely to the environment. This means our sites cross a range of natural habitats.

It is our responsibility to protect these healthy ecosystems that benefit us all. A thriving natural environment helps provide us with food, quality drinking water and clean air. A programme of works is now underway to protect and enhance biodiversity across our sites.

We manage a range of sites across Ireland. The BAP will give all site managers the tools to manage each site in ways that will benefit and enhance biodiversity. With assistance from our ecologists, site managers will be able to tailor biodiversity enhancement measures to suit each individual site. This will reduce site maintenance costs and lower greenhouse gas emissions. The 7 key objectives of the BAP can be implemented immediately. They are detailed below.