Youth forum on biodiversity loss promised as children air fears for nature

Heritage Minister Commits to Children’s Involvement in Biodiversity Policy

Heritage Minister Malcolm Noonan made the commitment while meeting members of the Children and Young People’s Assembly on Biodiversity Loss to review progress a year after they first gathered.

The group of seven to 17-year-olds published a list of 58 demands and recommendations earlier this year.

Among them was for the inclusion of children in decision-making on biodiversity policy.

SDG 15: Life on Land

Mr Noonan said he had found the assembly an inspiring and moving experience.

“Their final report captured beautifully their passion and creativity, and provides a clarion call to action for the government on how to restore our natural world,” he said.

“It’s important that children and young people don’t just have their say, but that their voices are listened to and taken into account in decision making.”

He said the Government would shortly publish a new National Biodiversity Action Plan which would include some of their recommendations.

“In particular, I have committed to establishing a new youth forum on biodiversity, responding to the assembly’s call for children and young people’s voices to be included in decisions on biodiversity.”

SDG 4: Quality Education

The 35-member assembly, randomly selected from more than 500 applicants, met over two weekends in Wicklow and Killarney in October last year.

A team from Dublin City University and University College Cork worked with them to organise their discussions.

Those who gathered at the weekend to review progress said they were determined to continue pushing to influence policies.

Many have already gone on to become involved in other campaigns and organisations in their locality.

“This has to be a catalyst for further discussions on biodiversity,” said assembly member, Lily (16).

“Otherwise it will get lost in the sea of other topics.”

Niamh,

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 15: Life on Land
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
• SDG 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

No specific indicators are mentioned in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. However, the establishment of a new youth forum on biodiversity and the creation of Teaching Resources for Youth-informed Biodiversity Education (TRYBE) can be considered as potential indicators of progress towards SDG 15.5 and SDG 16.7 respectively.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: independent.ie

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