IGBC launches case studies to drive nature-led construction

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The launch, held on 22 May at Dublin Docklands, marked a significant milestone in National Biodiversity Week, the IGBC said, and represents a concerted effort to transform Ireland's construction sector towards more sustainable, nature-focused approaches.

Christopher O'Sullivan TD, minister of state for nature, heritage, and biodiversity, opened the event alongside Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin, chair of the advisory committee for Ireland's Nature Restoration Plan. Their participation underscored the government's commitment to embedding biodiversity considerations into built environment policies and practices.

The case studies, developed with support from Construct Innovate and the Land Development Agency, demonstrate practical applications across various building typologies and infrastructure projects within an Irish context. These real-world examples aim to provide construction professionals with tangible guidance on protecting and enhancing biodiversity while maintaining commercial viability and design excellence.

Following the launch, a panel discussion chaired by Catherine Cleary – journalist, author, and co-founder of Pocket Forests – explored actions required to better protect and enhance biodiversity in new residential developments in a discussion bringing together building professionals and ecologists to examine practical implementation strategies and regulatory frameworks.

The initiative represents the first instalment of a comprehensive catalogue being developed by the IGBC's Biodiversity and Built Environment Community of Practice. This collaborative approach is intended to ensure that the case studies reflect diverse perspectives from across Ireland's construction industry while addressing specific challenges faced by Irish developers and designers.

As Ireland's leading authority on green building practices, the IGBC's network spans over 480 organisations across the built environment sector, and the launch reinforces the organisation's commitment to mainstreaming biodiversity considerations and stimulating concrete actions that balance development needs with environmental stewardship, positioning Ireland as a leader in sustainable construction practices.