Climate Action - Biodiversity

Supporting biodiversity

Ireland has committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030 and to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Fáilte Ireland has made Driving Climate Action a key priority, to help deliver on the targets set by government and ensure tourism plays its part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Throughout our series of guides, we provide guidance for tourism and hospitality businesses on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The priority is for businesses to reduce emissions through conserving energy, managing waste and conserving water.

Businesses can also take actions that remove carbon and other greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, helping to reduce climate change.

Supporting biodiversity is a great place to start and this guide provides advice to help you enhance biodiversity in your business and destination.

So, let's get started.

THE ACTIONS IN THIS GUIDE CONTRIBUTE TO THE FOLLOWING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS)

What is biodiversity?

What is biodiversity?

Biodiversity or biological diversity is the variety and variability of life on Earth at genetic level, at species level and at ecosystem level.

Biodiversity is all around us from trees and plants to animals, birds, and insects. Even in the heart of the largest cities, examples are to be found.

Biodiversity is essential for human existence. Ultimately, it provides us with the food we eat, medicines we take, the clean water we drink, produces the air we breathe and sequesters atmospheric carbon dioxide.

HOW CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS BIODIVERSITY

The unprecedented release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, primarily through the burning of fossil fuels, has resulted in a sharp rise in the Earth’s Global Mean Surface Temperature (GMST). The rising air and sea temperatures have produced a series of unwanted consequences and events, including:

 increased sea levels

 greater acidification of seas  forest fires  further desiccation of damaged peatland  more frequent and more intensive storm events  changing pattern of the commencing of the seasons

Key Takeaway

Did you know that 'Ireland’s Biodiversity Sectoral Climate Change Adaptation Plan' identifies climate change as one of the main issues impacting upon biodiversity loss in Ireland?

All of these have led to a loss in the Earth’s natural biodiversity, inflicting severe stress upon habitats and the species that inhabit them. As climate change increases, biodiversity decreases. Ecosystems are progressively altered or degraded, and some even collapse completely.

GREY SEAL, SALTEE ISLANDS, CO. WEXFORD

CAHIR CASTLE EXTERIOR, CO. TIPPERARY

How biodiversity can help mitigate climate change

It is extremely important to mitigate biodiversity loss.

A healthy, undisturbed, and diverse habitat can:

 take carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

 protect from flooding

 protect coastal areas (coastal dunes and their associated vegetation communities act as a barrier to stop storm surges)

Jargon Buster

NATURAL ECOSYSTEM

A natural ecosystem is one where indigenous organisms interact with the environment (as opposed to an artificial ecosystem such as farming or an exotic conifer plantation).

Natural ecosystems are selfsustaining and result from spontaneous natural reaction, while artificial ecosystems require the assistance of humans.

Natural ecosystems suck up 60% of our carbon emissions.

Source - Zendo

How biodiversity can help mitigate climate change

Make your business biodiverse

Limiting the impact of climate change on biodiversity may seem like a huge undertaking beyond the means of the average business. However, it need not take much space, money, or time to support biodiversity.

Many tourism businesses have great opportunities to use their recreational and outdoor spaces to engage biodiversity. Even if your business doesn’t have grounds, you can support biodiversity in lots of different ways. Here are some ideas to get started.

LANDSCAPING

Establish borders full of pollinating flowers

Opt for flowering and berry bearing shrubs

Plant native trees

Allow areas of managed lawn to return to their natural state

Create a mosaic of different heights of sward, to facilitate feeding areas in the short grass and shelter and security in the longer grass

Nurture wildflower meadows with mowing regimes that allow spring flowering or summer flowers to blossom

WILDLIFE

Install nest boxes and bat boxes - nest boxes are as varied as their inhabitants. Swift boxes, tit boxes, owl, sparrow, robin, wagtail, kestrel boxes and swallow cups are just a few examples of what is available

Install bird feeders - these can be great conversation starters for your guests. Situated in the right location, outside a breakfast room, restaurant or lounge window, they can keep guests enthralled, especially children. Some hospitality businesses have trail and nest box camera feeds on their websites and on monitors in their lounge areas, so customers can see what wildlife is around their location.

DESTINATION

Promote local environmental projects. Enable staff participation and encourage customer involvement, either through hands-on experiences or donation opportunities

Reach out to the local community and find out if there is a local biodiversity plan. Figure out how you can support the plan or existing protected areas

Use and promote sustainably produced, locally grown food and drink

Have a procurement policy that identifies where products come from and how their production impacts the areas where they are produced

Promote low carbon travel

WILDLIFE AREA, BANSHA, CO. TIPPERARY

Biodiversity in the city

Many city centre businesses show great initiative in how they encourage biodiversity, some have beehives on their flat roof spaces helping to pollinate any flowers and trees in the area.

Our pollinators are under increasing threat from disease and invasive hornets partially due to a warming planet, so providing shelter for pollinators is a good place to start. It also gives businesses honey to sell, resulting in a great marketing tool.

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: CHAMPIONING

AT CROKE PARK

Dublin’s Croke Park has been championing sustainability and biodiversity since 2007. Its dedicated staff have installed a large variety of bird nest boxes, bee bricks as well as an extensive planting of native trees, shrubs, and flowers during its car park extension projects.

The stadium plays host to not only sporting fans, but has attracted blue tits, sparrows, swifts, bats, many different species of bees, and peregrine falcons which have been spotted using the height advantage of the stadium, to look for a meal. This is a fantastic example of how, with relatively small outlay, you can encourage and increase biodiversity in the heart of a city.

Whether your business is rural or urban, large or small… there are opportunities to make a difference. You can help promote and increase biodiversity and, in doing so, help to combat climate change.

BIODIVERSITY

FARMERS MARKET, BOYLE, CO. ROSCOMMON

Top Tip

JOIN THE ALL-IRELAND POLLINATOR PLAN

The National Biodiversity Data Centre works to protect Ireland’s pollinators, with one third of our wild bee species threatened with extinction from Ireland. The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan is about all of us… farmers, local authorities, schools, gardeners, and businesses, all coming together to try to create an island where pollinators can survive and thrive.

SHARE YOUR BIODIVERSITY STORY

Your clients, customers and community are aware of climate change and its impacts. Sharing your efforts to support biodiversity through social media, local press, and your own website, helps you to engage with customers.

What about writing a blog about undertaking tree planting? Or a social post about the sale of your urban honey? These actions help demonstrate your commitment to biodiversity and the wider goal of mitigating climate change.

Key Resource

For more ideas to engage your team and sustain momentum, check out the How To Tell Your Climate Action Story Guide.

KINSALE, CO. CORK

Savvy supports and useful resources

Check out these supports and resources to help you on your climate action journey.

01

FÁILTE IRELAND’S BUSINESS SUPPORTS HUB

Check out a comprehensive range of Climate Action and business supports and resources for the Irish tourism industry. Find Out More

02 NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY DATA CENTRE

Bookmark this resource to help you and your staff assist the protection of Ireland’s biodiversity. Bookmark Now

03

TREE COUNCIL OF IRELAND

Get information on native Irish trees.

Read Plan

04 ALL-IRELAND POLLINATOR PLAN – BUSINESSES

Find out how to pledge your support to the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, as well as training and communication resources.

Read More

INSPIRING CASE STUDIES

Learn from Irish and international businesses about their climate action journey. Get inspiration and top tips.

Read Case Study

05 IRISH ENVIRONMENTAL NETWORK

Read about environmental organisations and NGOs, including wildlife conservation, biodiversity, and climate change.

Read More

Climate Action guides

Climate Action Guides

Explore our series of guides as part of Fáilte Ireland’s Driving Action on Climate Change in tourism businesses. You can find links to all the others in the series to help you on your climate action journey here.

CLIMATE ACTION ROADMAP

Explore our key tool designed to help you navigate the climate action journey of cost and carbon reduction.

ERRIGAL MOUNTAIN, CO. DONEGAL

HOW TO FIND OUT MORE

Just click on the covers below to access each guide in our series.

ENERGY MANAGEMENT

Learn how minimising energy consumption using renewable energy alternatives will save costs and reduce carbon emissions.

WATER MANAGEMENT

Explore our guide for suggestions on how your business can reduce water consumption, resulting in a lower water bill.

WASTE MANAGEMENT

Find out how waste management can reduce your carbon footprint which can directly lead to cost-savings.

CLIMATE ACTION STORY

Learn how to promote your Climate Action initiatives to the consumer.

CARBON OFFSETTING

Read our advice for tourism businesses who wish to complement their reduction strategies by offsetting emissions.

MEETINGS AND EVENTS

Learn how to run a climate-friendly meeting or event that incorporates environmental considerations.

FESTIVALS

Discover more about the importance of festivals for climate action from applying influence and inspiration to engaging with audiences.