Gas Networks Ireland, committed to conserving and enhancing biodiversity
Gas Networks Ireland engages in a range of initiatives to protect and promote biodiversity in all its projects, like this pond near Gas Networks Ireland’s AGI in Baldrumman, Co Dublin.
Gas Networks Ireland operates and maintains Ireland’s €3bn 14,758km national gas network, supplying energy to over 720,000 homes and businesses across the country. The gas network plays a key role in Ireland’s energy system and is one of the most modern renewables-ready gas networks in Europe.
Gas Networks Ireland is working towards a more sustainable energy future by supporting the transition to renewable gases such as biomethane and green hydrogen. The company aims to develop a fully decarbonised gas network through the transformation of the existing infrastructure into separate renewable gas systems.
Gas Networks Ireland is also committed to biodiversity enhancement and conservation across its operations. Through responsible environmental management, habitat protection and sustainability initiatives, the company aims to support and preserve Ireland’s natural ecosystems while delivering essential energy infrastructure.
In 2019, Gas Networks Ireland signed the ‘Seeds for Nature’ charter, pledging to manage its infrastructure, assets and office locations in line with biodiversity best practice by 2025, while striving to achieve biodiversity net gain across all projects.
Since then, the company has introduced a range of initiatives to protect and promote biodiversity. These include integrating biodiversity into its Sustainability Strategy, developing a Biodiversity Action Plan and increasing staff awareness of the importance of biodiversity.
Baseline ecological surveys carried out across Gas Networks Ireland’s sites and infrastructure helped identify targeted actions such as native tree and hedgerow planting, the creation of ponds and wildflower meadows as well as the development of other valuable habitats. These measures have increased pollinator activity and improve both the ecological and visual value of the company’s lands.
Gas Networks Ireland commissioned the development of bespoke metrics, tools and guidance documents to improve and monitor biodiversity across its sites and operations. Key resources include the 'Landscaping for Biodiversity Guidelines' and digital assessment tools designed to evaluate and mitigate the impact of tree removal and construction activities, ensuring measurable biodiversity protection and enhancement.
A bespoke metric was used to assess the baseline ecological conditions of 54 sites across the company’s network of assets.
Gas Networks Ireland also developed the bespoke ‘Compensatory Habitat Design Tool’, which measures and calculates the biodiversity impacts of construction projects to ensure that any biodiversity loss is appropriately mitigated or offset. The tool is currently being piloted across several projects.
In 2025, Gas Networks Ireland completed a major biodiversity enhancement programme across its network of assets in Scotland; [ ]. The works included the removal of invasive species to restore ecological function, planting over 800 metres of hedgerow, introducing mixed native tree species, planting over 44,000 bulbs, and creating five hibernacula, four bee banks and ten log piles. In addition, 70 bat and bird boxes were installed.
Significant biodiversity enhancement works were also completed at the Abbotstown (Dublin) Above Ground Installation (AGI) in 2025. These included planting 192 mixed native trees, creating a pond, constructing log piles and bee banks, and developing large berms to provide varied topography and habitats.
An independent assessment confirmed that Gas Networks Ireland successfully achieved its 2025 biodiversity commitments under the “Seeds for Nature” charter. This assessment reviewed progress made over the previous six years and resurveyed several sites that had previously undergone baseline ecological assessments.
The findings identified there were significant increases in species richness and habitat diversity in monitored sites, demonstrating the positive impact of Gas Networks Ireland’s biodiversity enhancement initiatives.
Gas Networks Ireland has actively collaborated with local communities to raise awareness of biodiversity through educational events and workshops. The organisation has supported community-led projects such as native tree planting days and the creation of pollinator-friendly habitats.
In addition, Gas Networks Ireland has partnered with schools and environmental groups to deliver outreach educational programmes aimed at inspiring future generations to protect and enhance biodiversity.
Staff engagement also remains a cornerstone of Gas Networks Ireland’s strategy. Regular training sessions and internal communications help ensure that biodiversity remains a shared organisational priority across all operations.
