News
Expressions of interest sought for participation in a Leaders’ Forum on the development of the national Nature Restoration Plan
Date Released: Friday, December 20, 2024
- Stakeholder engagement programme for the Nature Restoration Plan will contain two key elements; a Leaders’ Forum and Community Conversations.
- Expressions of interest now sought from stakeholders to participate in the Leaders’ Forum.
- Leaders’ Forum to be convened in the Spring of 2025.
The National Parks & Wildlife Service has been appointed by Government to coordinate the development of a national Nature Restoration Plan (NRP) arising from the Nature Restoration Regulation, to be submitted to the EU Commission by 1 September 2026.
Stakeholder Participation Programme for the National Restoration Plan
From the outset the Government has committed to an open and transparent engagement process to underpin the development of a National Restoration Plan that works for society and for nature. A fully accessible, inclusive multi-tiered model is proposed to ensure the views of all citizens, at all levels, are captured and reflected in the final NRP. The programme will contain two key elements; a Leaders’ Forum and Community Conversations.
The Leaders’ Forum will be a cross-sectoral dialogue at the most senior level, to discuss the overall trajectory of the NRP and identify key risks and opportunities. It will see senior leadership of all stakeholder groups invited to participate in exchanges of views and progress briefings. The Leaders Forum will be convened in the Spring of 2025 and discussions from the forum will feed directly to the Independent Advisory Committee. Further follow-up Leaders’ Forums will be held throughout 2025.
The Community Conversations will be a locally-led, participatory engagement model that aims to inform and hear the views of groups and individuals around the country. This will provide opportunities at all levels for genuine exploration and dialogue and to create a country-wide conversation about what EU Nature Restoration Law (NRL) means for all citizens.
Expressions of interest are now sought from stakeholders and other relevant bodies in participating in the Leaders’ Forum.
The Nature Restoration Regulation
The Nature Restoration Regulation (EU2024/1991) came into force in August 2024. The Regulation is the first continent-wide, comprehensive law of its kind, and sets binding targets to restore degraded ecosystems, in particular those with the most potential to capture and store carbon and to prevent and reduce the impact of natural disasters.
Preliminary work is already underway and an Independent Advisory Committee has been established to advise on the developments and the contents of the NRP. The Committee will be supported by technical thematic working groups and the Stakeholder Participation Programme.
Further details, including venue and programme, will issue in the new year. In the meantime please indicate your willingness to participate at the highest level by email to restoration@npws.gov.ie by Friday 10 January.