Nature Recovery Strategy for Northern Ireland to 2032: A Proposed Strategy for Halting and Reversing the Loss of Biodiversity

Overview

Nature, which combines the living components (biodiversity) of our natural world with non-living (geodiversity), is in decline across the world. Extinction and threatened extinction rates are higher than ever before. Biodiversity is in crisis, and with it, the sustainable natural systems that can provide us with reliable supplies of clean water, purify our air, regulate our climate, and secure our food supplies are in decline.

In Northern Ireland, around 40% of the flora and fauna within our most protected sites falls short of the defined standard for ‘favourable condition’, while only one of 49 priority habitat types in Northern Ireland was considered to be at favourable conservation status.  In order to protect our vital natural resources, urgent and transformational action to reverse biodiversity loss is now essential.

Under the Wildlife and Natural Environment Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, DAERA has a duty to publish a Biodiversity Strategy to further the conservation of biodiversity in Northern Ireland.  This draft Nature Recovery Strategy (which is the Biodiversity Strategy required by legislation) sets out the changes needed to protect, restore, and enhance our natural environment, to halt and reverse biodiversity loss and deliver a nature positive future for Northern Ireland.

The lifespan of this proposed strategy is to 2032 to allow later versions to align with the third Climate Action Plan for 2033 - 2037.  It will bring together in one place, actions which are already agreed or in development in other strategies, as well as newly identified actions to further promote nature restoration, and collate them, alongside their target dates for delivery, under five Strategic Objectives.

Why your views matter

DAERA has a duty to publish a Biodiversity Strategy to further the conservation of biodiversity in Northern Ireland.  This draft Nature Recovery Strategy (which is the Biodiversity Strategy required by legislation) sets out how we intend to meet international and national ambitions in Northern Ireland. The lifespan of this proposed strategy is to 2032.

We want you to tell us what you think of our proposed approach. We look forward to hearing from you and are keen to engage with you.

The survey seeks views on our 5 strategic objectives:

1. Well Protected Nature and Accelerated Restoration
2. Reduction of the Pressures on Biodiversity
3. Sustainable Use of Biodiversity through Nature-Friendly Policies and Practice
4. Nature Valued and Mainstreamed across All of Government and Society
5. Building Strong, Integrated Evidence and Knowledge to Enable Action and Reporting for Nature.

If you have any queries or would like to email a response to the consultation. Please contact 

biodiversity.policy@daera-ni.gov.uk

Responses to this consultation are invited until 11.59pm on
18 March 2026.  Following consideration of all responses, a full analysis report will be published on DAERA’s website.

Privacy 

The information you provide in completing this consultation will be controlled and processed in line with Data Protection Legislation by DAERA. To find out more about how we handle your personal information, DAERA’s Privacy Notice can be viewed online at  http://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/daera-privacy-statement