The Irish Green Building Council has launched the first set of Irish case studies to protect and enhance biodiversity within the built environment.
“Integrating biodiversity into planning and development presents a powerful opportunity to create healthier, more resilient communities. The case studies launched today highlight how this can be successfully implemented in Ireland,” said Susan Vickers, Chair of IGBC’s Biodiversity & Built Environment Community of Practice.
“I hope they will inspire meaningful action across the industry.”
The construction and built environment sectors are deeply linked with nature, but also significantly contribute to biodiversity loss through land-use changes, pollution, climate change, and the spread of invasive species.
Opening the event, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with special responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, added: “We are facing urgent challenges – from biodiversity loss to climate change – making it more critical than ever to protect and enhance nature. The building sector has a vital role to play in this. These Irish examples, along with the work of the Irish Green Building Council, showcase how innovative, sustainable construction approaches can set a new benchmark for the industry”.
The set of case studies launched includes:
- The National Forensic Mental Health Service (NFMH) project by Scott Tallon Walker in Portrane, Co Dublin, focuses on building on the existing to avoid biodiversity loss and improve the health and well-being of patients
- The transformation of a green roof to a more biodiverse living roof in a Dublin City Centre location by Hibernia Real Estate
The case studies unveiled today are part of a collection of ten that will be released later this year. The initiative is supported by Construct Innovate and the Land Development Agency.
The case studies can be accessed here: www.igbc.ie/resources/biodiversity-and-the-built-environment-irish-case-studies.
