In January 2026, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) published the Draft Nature Recovery Strategy for Northern Ireland to 2032 for public consultation.
The document sets out how the Department aims to halt and reverse biodiversity loss and place nature on a long-term path to recovery. It acts as Northern Ireland’s statutory Biodiversity Strategy, intending to align local action with international commitments.
The Strategy seeks to guide government action towards the following changes:
Biodiversity net gain
- Explore and review options for adopting a biodiversity net gain approach within the planning system by 2028
Wider planning and land use
- Develop a Land Use Framework by 2027 to inform decisions on current and future land use, balance competing demands on land and safeguard natural capital
- Strengthen the implementation of existing statutory obligations for nature protection, including greater emphasis on ecosystem restoration and the effective management and expansion of protected areas
- Embed environmental considerations more consistently across government policy and decision-making, including policies that influence development
Green and blue infrastructure
- Promote the role of green and blue infrastructure in urban and rural areas, including parks, rivers and green roofs, in supporting biodiversity, climate resilience and wellbeing
- Improve ecological networks and connectivity, with implications for how nature is integrated into the design and management of the built environment
The extended deadline for responses to the consultation is Wednesday 15 April 2026.
RSUA is considering a response to this consultation. If you have any questions or comments about the Nature Recovery Strategy, please contact Curtis Large, RSUA Policy and Public Affairs Officer, at curtis@rsua.org.uk
