# Biodiversity

'The ocean is not a rubbish dump': UN tells leaders to take action on protecting seas

At the heart of a draft biodiversity treaty is a plan to designate 30% of land and oceans as protected zones by 2030.

11.9k

Jul 1st 2022, 10:32 PM

# Investigation

Peat’s Sake: Leading company under EPA spotlight for potential unlicensed extraction

Noteworthy investigation reveals Klasmann-Deilmann Ireland is one of a dozen large-scale peat extractors currently being investigated by the environmental watchdog.

The Irish branch of peat giant Klasmann-Deilmann is being investigated by the EPA in relation to peat extraction in the Midlands, writes Noteworthy’s Niall Sargent

In June 2021, the EPA warned Klasmann it was of the view that the company was committing a serious and ongoing breach of EU environmental law

Almost a dozen other large-scale peat extractors are also under investigation by the environmental watchdog

29.7k

Jun 20th 2022, 12:05 AM

# citizens assembly

Citizens' Assembly on biodiversity loss to visit three examples of biodiversity management

The assembly is tasked with making recommendations to the Oireachtas on how the State should tackle biodiversity loss.

8.4k

Jun 11th 2022, 7:00 AM

# Investigation

Over the Hill: Persistent overgrazing causing 'devastation' in vulnerable habitats

Many upland areas are experiencing ongoing grazing pressure and degradation, with rare plants disappearing.

Many upland areas are experiencing grazing pressure and degradation, with rare plants disappearing

Anthea Lacchia of investigative platform Noteworthy reports that overgrazing remains an issue despite being recognised as a problem for at least two decades

Protected areas will be lost if farmers are not given more support, according to experts

21.1k

Jun 5th 2022, 12:04 AM

€17 million needed to save Ireland’s most threatened birds says BirdWatch Ireland

The organisation says that several ground nesting birds are at risk of extinction without funding for conservation schemes.

17.8k

May 23rd 2022, 7:00 PM

The Bee Guy: On World Bee Day, let's not just focus on the honey bees

Paul Handrick says time is running out for wild bees but there’s lots we can do to help.

15.9k

Updated

May 20th 2022, 10:09 AM

# planting a seed

New Citizens' Assembly on biodiversity loss officially launched at first meeting today

Over the next six months, a citizens’ assembly will hear evidence and made recommendations for the good of Ireland’s biodiversity.

13.9k

Updated

May 14th 2022, 7:25 PM

# Decline

At least one in five reptile species threatened by extinction in biodiversity crisis

Before now, researchers did not have a comprehensive picture of the risk to reptiles.

10.2k

Apr 27th 2022, 9:59 PM

The Bee Guy: Diary of a mother bumble bee stuck at the window

Paul Handrick charts the story of that one bee you hear tapping at the window to get out, and he asks us to help her escape.

21.6k

Apr 18th 2022, 9:00 PM

# get set

'One of the most important and defining issues': Citizens' assembly on biodiversity launched

A citizens’ assembly on Dublin’s governance will also begin this afternoon.

20.4k

Apr 9th 2022, 2:15 PM

# peat sake

Peat pressure: Industrial peat extraction in enforcement firing line

Historic problems revealed in crackdown on extraction without planning permission and EPA licensing.

Historic problems in enforcement of large-scale peat extraction in Ireland has led to the loss of precious bog, writes Niall Sargent

Noteworthy investigates the case of Harte Peat found to be operating in breach of EU law

12 other peat extractors are now also subject to ongoing EPA enforcement action

24.9k

Apr 7th 2022, 12:05 AM

# Wildfire

'Incredibly difficult' to prosecute people for starting illegal fires, Heritage Minister says

Malcolm Noonan yesterday condemned an illegal 300-hectare fire in Wicklow Mountains National Park.

10.0k

Apr 1st 2022, 9:15 AM

The Bee Guy: The girls are back in town - tips for helping the bumblebee queens

Paul Handrick has some helpful advice for keeping queen bumblebees alive if you see them in trouble.

30.0k

Mar 26th 2022, 8:00 AM

# Audio

The Explainer x Noteworthy: How are public maintenance works impacting river biodiversity?

Noteworthy’s Anthea Lacchia and An Taisce’s Elaine McGoff tell Susan Daly about how arterial drainage works are changing our waterways.

3.0k

Feb 21st 2022, 1:15 PM

Breaking the Banks: 'Vicious circle' of public works 'degrading' Ireland's rivers

A report by

Anthea Lacchia

While the Office of Public Works says it is reducing the impact of arterial drainage work, waterways and their habitats “are still suffering”.

While the Office of Public Works (OPW) says it is reducing the impact of arterial drainage work, waterways and their habitats “are still suffering”, reports Anthea Lacchia

This investigation by Noteworthy reveals recent OPW maintenance work occurred outside tree cutting season

A quarter of audits of these OPW works last year failed to obtain a ‘good’ or ‘very good’ score

31.5k

Feb 20th 2022, 12:05 AM

Koalas declared endangered in eastern Australia amid disease and habitat loss

Koala populations in New South Wales have fallen by 33%-61% since 2001.

6.8k

Feb 11th 2022, 12:34 PM

# Emergency

'Immediate steps' should be taken to protect Ireland's hedgerows, committee to hear

The Agriculture Committee will hear from participants on hedgerows and the draft CAP Strategic Plan.

18.1k

Feb 9th 2022, 6:00 AM

# crisis

New citizens' assembly on biodiversity to meet for the first time in April

Cabinet approved two new citizens’ assemblies on biodiversity and Dublin’s local governance at a meeting this afternoon.

4.6k

Feb 8th 2022, 5:46 PM

# Quiz

Quiz: Which Irish flower is this?

The Taoiseach said this week that he plans to bring a proposal to Cabinet to form a citizens’ assembly on biodiversity “shortly”.

39.0k

Feb 5th 2022, 10:00 PM

Opinion: A citizen's assembly is one of many steps necessary to preserve Ireland's biodiversity

The Fianna Fáil TD welcomes news this week that Cabinet is to consider a citizen’s assembly on biodiversity.

7.0k

Feb 5th 2022, 7:00 AM

# Emergency

Taoiseach to bring proposal to Cabinet to form citizens' assembly on biodiversity

Campaigners have been waiting for the assembly to be called since a biodiversity emergency was declared in 2019.

5.4k

Feb 2nd 2022, 3:47 PM

# peat extraction

Horticultural peat unlawfully removed ‘much like rock from a quarry’, High Court hears

Environmental Protection Agency is seeking an injunction against Harte Peat Ltd to halt peat extraction in Westmeath.

21.3k

Jan 20th 2022, 7:00 PM

Pippa Hackett: We need to move fast to improve our forestry cover in Ireland

The Minister of State for Agriculture says Ireland is falling in its targets on forestry but the government plans to accelerate progress this year.

20.4k

Jan 4th 2022, 7:00 AM

Special branch: Over 75 cases of alleged illegal tree felling investigated last year

A report by

Niall Sargent

In several cases, trees were cut down in protected nature areas or on land previously sold to private individuals by Coillte.

Several large-scale cases still open, including the felling of 30 hectares of forest, writes Niall Sargent of Noteworthy

Removal of trees to make way for agricultural expansion is a common issue across many cases

In several instances, trees were cut down in protected nature areas or on land previously sold to private individuals by Coillte

33.4k

Jan 2nd 2022, 12:05 AM

All time

# Endangered Species

Rare hen harrier numbers plummet as plan to protect species pushed back

Only 18 pairs of the rare raptor species reared chicks this year in areas designated to protect it – the most unproductive year on record.

25.8k

Dec 26th 2021, 8:30 AM

Crackdown sees 50 cases launched against illegal hedge cutting this year

A report by

Niall Sargent

Action by National Parks and Wildlife Service this year represents huge increase; only 70 cases were taken across the whole previous decade.

Huge crackdown on illegal cutting during bird nesting season over the past two years, writes Niall Sargent of Noteworthy

Since 2020, the wildlife service has taken as many cases to court as it did between 2010 and 2019

Over €45,000 was paid by guilty parties in fines, costs and donations to charities this year alone

44.6k

Dec 20th 2021, 12:05 AM

# peat sake

New peat legislation slammed as ‘incompatible’ with climate targets and EU law

The Bill, fast-tracked by Fine Gael and Fianna Fail senators, would remove the need for planning permission to extract peat for horticultural sector use.

Legal experts argue that new peat legislation disregards strict EU environmental law, writes Niall Sargent as part of Noteworthy investigation of peat extraction

Bill would give planning exemption to peat extraction for horticulture and pause any ongoing enforcement action until at least 2026

Peatland experts are also concerned the Bill is ' not compatible' with our climate action goals

38.3k

Nov 29th 2021, 12:05 AM

Opinion: Young people are demanding action on climate and biodiversity, we can't let them down

Yvonne McKenna of Gaisce outlines their plans to encourage biodiversity by asking the public to plant bulbs for the bees.

16.4k

Oct 25th 2021, 7:00 PM

# cash cow

The Explainer x Noteworthy: What is the issue with farm subsidies and nature?

Noteworthy’s Niall Sargent and journalist Ella McSweeney tell Susan Daly how agri-subsidies are encouraging farmers to cut back on nature.

5.6k

Updated

Oct 13th 2021, 12:31 PM

# Nature

'It is urgent': 'Frustration' that still no date set for Citizens' Assembly on biodiversity

The 2020 Programme for Government committed to progressing an assembly on this topic.

This planned Citizens' Assembly is currently "under discussion at a senior level" between two government departments.

Environmentalists have said it's "frustrating" to still be awaiting a timeline for the assembly.

Ireland declared a climate and biodiversity emergency in 2019.

5.2k

Oct 12th 2021, 12:05 AM

Land grab: How agri-subsidies encourage farmers to cut back on nature

A report by

Niall Sargent and Ella McSweeney

Carbon emissions-heavy dairy and livestock farming rewarded over environmental efforts.

The EU's multi-billion euro farm subsidy model is driving up emissions & hitting nature hard, writes Niall Sargent and Ella McSweeney in new Noteworthy investigation

Irish farmers are being financially penalised for maintaining biodiversity hotspots

€100 billion of farm subsidies for climate action have had little impact on emissions, EU audit finds

25.8k

Oct 7th 2021, 12:05 AM

# Free Parking

Taoiseach disagrees with revoking free parking for former politicians at Leinster House

There have been calls to restore the Leinster House garden at the Kildare Street entrance, which is now a car park for members.

30.9k

Sep 29th 2021, 6:47 PM

Opinion: Five changes you can make to guide your children to a greener life

David Maher from SOLAS in Co Laois shares his tips on how we can teach children to live sustainably.

12.6k

Sep 11th 2021, 8:30 AM

The Explainer x Noteworthy: What can be done to halt the decline of our precious biodiversity?

Noteworthy’s Niall Sargent tells Susan Daly how the race is on to save iconic species like the puffin and curlew – and even save ourselves.

2.4k

Sep 3rd 2021, 12:56 PM

Funding failure: Most of Ireland's biodiversity spend goes on schemes that have little impact

Ireland’s overall spending on biodiversity protection is also under internationally-accepted levels.

14.2k

Aug 28th 2021, 9:15 AM

Loss of Ireland's biodiversity is accelerating - and we're missing the chance to halt it

A report by

Niall Sargent

Noteworthy reveals virtually no protected sites have management plans and Ireland is moving further away from a target for effective nature conservation.

A host of iconic Irish species and habitats are under threat, writes Niall Sargent in first part of Noteworthy's investigation into biodiversity loss

Virtually none of our protected nature areas have management plans

An expert forum has labelled the State as the “biggest transgressor of environmental law in Ireland”

26.3k

Aug 27th 2021, 12:05 AM

Opinion: Bees and agriculture need each other - we should class bees as livestock to protect them

Fianna Fáil Senator Erin McGreehan argues that protecting bees should be a priority for the Department of Agriculture.

11.8k

Jul 10th 2021, 7:00 AM

# Troubled Waters

Lice, infectious disease and taking reef fish: The impact of salmon farms on marine biodiversity

Noteworthy investigation reveals concerns over State monitoring of potential environmental impacts of salmon farms from sea lice, disease and farm escapes.

State holds limited details on disease outbreaks and mortality rates at salmon farms, reports Niall Sargent of Noteworthy, our investigative platform

Little regulation of wild wrasse fishing for use as cleaner fish on farms despite potential marine impacts

Experts warn Ireland lacks baseline data to effectively monitor for salmon farm escapes

14.6k

Jun 26th 2021, 9:15 AM