The new year begins with a worrying statistic about biodiversity — 90% of Ireland’s protected habitats are in “unfavourable” conservation status, according to a recent report. The Status of EU Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland, 2025: Summary Report, commonly referred to as the Article 17 Report, is published every six years. Information from the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Biodiversity Data Centre and other relevant sources supplements the data. The report presents a comprehensive overview of the conservation status of the 59 habitats and 60 species in Ireland that are protected under the EU Habitats Directive. Minister O’Sullivan said while the scale of the challenge is significant, targeted conservation work in communities across the country is beginning to reverse negative trends.

Source: Irish Examiner December 30, 2025 15:30 UTC