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Writer's picturePádraig McEvoy

Biodiversity Demonstrator at Áras Chill Dara

Updated: Jul 6

Kildare County Council Meeting, Monday, 29 April 2024



Councillors Íde Cussen, Noel Heavey, Pádraig McEvoy, Peggy O'Dwyer and Brendan Wyse.


Motion

That Kildare County Council prepares an Áras Chill Dara Biodiversity Action Plan, similar to the collaborative plans prepared with over twenty local communities, to maintain the Áras in a more biodiversity-friendly manner and act as a society leader. This plan should seek to support pollinators and other wildlife, as well as surface-water control and pollution prevention, and exemplify climate action to the general public.


Agenda Report

The Local Biodiversity Action Plans referenced require significant commitment and resources both internally and externally and are generally for a much broader area through a partnership approach with local communities who are the "owners" of the plan and, more significantly, its actions.


It has been agreed that the Facilities Management Team will meet with the Biodiversity Officer and Heritage Team to review current landscaping elements and maintenance practices with a view to agreeing on a range of practical and straightforward nature-positive biodiversity options for implementation.


Issued by: Mr E Ryan, Director of Services, Corporate, People and Cultural Services

Debate:


Cllr P. McEvoy


Over the past five years, we, as a collective, have made strides towards addressing the climate and biodiversity emergency. Dáil Éireann set the stage, and Kildare County Council echoed their declaration at the start of this electoral term. By September 2019, the council had completed the necessary preparations and signed the EU Covenant of Mayors on Climate and Energy. Together, we are committed to taking action to cut CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% by 2040. By December last, the council adopted the sectoral baseline emissions measurements and the Climate Action Plan towards 2029.


At today's meeting, two decisions to adopt policies link with this motion:


  • "Biodiversity" is captured throughout the policy guidance on sustainable drainage systems, appearing sixty times in the 140-page document,


  • Kildare's Local Economic and Community Plan is grounded in a principle advocating for a sustainable and resource-efficient economy to mitigate climate change by respecting the ecological limits of the natural environment.


Biodiversity loss signifies the decline in plant and animal species essential for sustainable life and the need for nature restoration.

Public awareness has grown about the interconnectedness of what is referred to as the 'triple planetary crises': climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Recent news headlines in Ireland, France, Spain and the UK highlighted the consequences of extreme dry and wet weather for biodiversity, degraded food production, and rising food prices.


Addressing the triple planetary crises hinges on interdependent solutions, simultaneous action and a rapid reduction of the human activities that damage our shared global environment. The agreed legislation mandates local authorities to implement policy changes and to show leadership in finding solutions.


Two weeks ago, KPMG published their findings on the ecosystem services economy [link], including:


  • Market and regulatory pressures are pushing for a nature-positive economy,

  • Integrated planning for climate and nature transitions is crucial, with significant early mover advantages,

  • Ireland has the potential to become a leading force in nature-positive initiatives and

  • Urgent collaboration between the public and private sectors is required to incentivise transition.


Biodiversity information from the council's Heritage and Climate Action teams aligns with County Development Plan objectives and national and regional policy guidance. The council has supported biodiversity action plans across 23 communities, partially funded by local property tax allocations. The plans focus on making areas wildlife-friendly, raising awareness, collecting evidence, and developing local capacity. The initiatives empower groups working with the Biodiversity Officer and others to make timely, informed decisions that showcase seasonally appropriate nature-friendly practices in their communities.


Implementing climate and biodiversity action at Áras Chill Dara would be coherent with advocacy of official policies and provide leadership on practical solutions for the public, elected representatives, and officials across the organisation. The agenda report commits to biodiversity-friendly action at Áras Chill Dara, a commitment made possible by the efforts of the Facilities Management Team, Biodiversity Officer, Heritage Team and Climate Action Team, who are to be commended.


Minutes of the Meeting


20/0424 [Link]


Resolved on the proposal of Councillor McEvoy, seconded by Councillor Cussen and agreed by the members that the report be accepted and that the Facilities Management Team will meet with the Biodiversity Officer and Heritage Team to review current landscaping elements and maintenance practices with a view to agreeing on a range of practical and straight forward nature positive biodiversity options for implementation.

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