Editorials

The Irish Times view on funding for nature: not an optional extra

At both EU and national level, commitments on environmental spending are being scaled back

The Burren Farming for Conservation Programme, which grew out of an EU Life scheme, has several distinctive features. ( Photograph: Getty Images)
The Burren Farming for Conservation Programme, which grew out of an EU Life scheme, has several distinctive features. ( Photograph: Getty Images)
Sun Aug 03 2025 - 20:00

Two developments, one national and one at EU level, have caused legitimate alarm and anger among environmental NGOs. They regard them both as “gutting” commitments to green measures at the very moment when we should be supporting the development of coherent nature recovery plans under the flagship Nature Restoration Law.

It is understandable that such measures slip down the priority list, given the multiple challenges our societies are facing. But this is not acceptable. The existential threats of climate change and biodiversity collapses remain.

So it is disturbing that the European Commission’s proposal for its next budget indicates that the EU Life Programme – the dedicated fund for environment, nature and climate action – is likely to be repealed. Life’s proven return on investment can be seen in many Irish rural communities, exemplified by the Burren Programme.

“It would gut one of the EU’s most effective tools just when we need it most,” according to the European Environmental Bureau, which represents 190 member organisations and 30 million individual supporters. It should be listened to.

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Meanwhile, the Environmental Pillar, the national platform for environmental charities, uses similar language to describe the Government’s revised National Development Plan: “the gutting of nature from the Infrastructure, Climate & Nature Fund to finance transport, energy and water infrastructure projects in the National Development Plan is very alarming” the group says, as it undermines guarantees on nature restoration.

It certainly seems to make nonsense of the current consultations on developing and implementing the National Nature Restoration Plan with farmers, fishers and environmentalists. Funding for this plan is naturally a key concern for all involved, and if it is not ring-fenced it will inevitably shift to areas of more immediate concern.

We cannot continue to consider the health of our natural landscape and climate as an optional extra in planning; if it does not inform the core of our thinking, everything else is undermined.