Environmental Improvement Plan for Northern Ireland
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The preparation and publication of an EIP is a statutory duty placed upon the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) by Schedule 2 to the Environment Act 2021 (the Act), which came into force in July 2022 following Assembly approval. Ireland’s first Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) forms the basis for a coherent and effective set of interventions that can collectively deliver real improvements in the quality of the environment. The strategic objectives of the EIP are: Excellent air, water and land quality; A healthy and accessible environment and landscapes
DAERA has today (26 January 2026) published its first Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) Annual Progress Report (APR) under the provisions of the Environment Act 2021, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to improving Northern Ireland’s natural environment.
The APR fulfils DAERA’s statutory duty to report annually on progress against the EIP and to assess whether the natural environment has improved during the reporting period. The first report covers the 12 month period since the EIP’s publication (27 September 2024) and provides a transparent account of actions taken and outcomes achieved.