Algal bloom off Ireland’s Atlantic coast Photo: European Space Agency (ESA)

The Secretariat of the COHAB Initiative is based near Galway City on Ireland's west coast. In the past 10 years, Ireland has changed dramatically - from being one of the poorest countries in Europe, to one of the richest countries in the world, based on per capita income (Galway was named Europe's fastest growing city in 2005). In the same period, Ireland's population jumped by almost 20% (from 3.6 million in 1996 to 4.2 million in 2006). The standard of living in Ireland has dramatically increased, and economic and social studies state that Irish people have as good or better quality of life as people in any other country. However, the benefits of this remarkable growth have not been evenly distributed, and the pattern of Ireland's development has not been sustainable. Living standards may have been raised, but with rapid loss of biodiversity and the onset of global climate change, quality of life may not be so secure.

The COHAB Initiative Secretariat is working with its Irish Partners, including local and national authorities and various stakeholders, to help them identify the social and economic aspects of biodiversity and ecosystem services in Ireland, and to devise best practice guidance for integrating ecosystems thinking into the decision making processes in non-environment sectors. The aim is to help conserve Ireland's biodiversity, to promote sustainable growth, and to protect human health and well-being. It is hoped that the results will be published as case studies which will be applicable both for technologically advanced countries and for economies in transition.
(See "Practical Approaches") Further details will be placed on this website in the coming months.

The COHAB Initiative Secretariat wishes to acknowledge the invaluable support of the Irish Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Department of Health and Children, and the Department of Foreign Affairs for their support in developing the Initiative. We are particularly grateful to colleagues at the National parks and Wildlife Service in Dublin for their guidance and support.