Research 512: Assessing Land Use in Ireland: An Integrated Framework and Review of Indicators

Authors: Zachary Turk, Tracy Bradfield, Cathal Buckley, Emma Dillon and Thia Hennessy

Summary: Effective land use policy supports economic development, environmental protection and socio economic well-being. This report outlines a tiered indicator framework for monitoring land use-driven outcomes and identifies key information gaps that must be addressed for full implementation. While progress has been made in aligning Ireland’s land use policies with national and EU sustainability goals, further investment in data infrastructure and cross-sectoral collaboration is needed. Strengthening the evidence base will enhance Ireland’s ability to meet climate, biodiversity and socio-economic targets while building long-term resilience.

 What did the research aim to address?

Through improved monitoring, land use policies can support national and EU goals, such as the European Green Deal, national energy and climate plans, and the Sustainable Development Goals. Therefore, the aims of this project included the development of a structured integrated framework for monitoring land use changes in Ireland, assessing their impact on production, environmental and wider socio-economic outcomes. The project outputs also include the identification of data collection gaps and recommendations for enhancing the availability and integration of land use monitoring data.

What did the research find?

A total of 36 priority indicators were selected and organised into a three-tier framework for Ireland. The framework provides comprehensive coverage while maintaining usability for policymakers. However, the study found that, while extensive data sources exist, critical gaps remain in land use monitoring, particularly regarding spatial resolution. The frequency of data collection and access to data for further analysis are also concerns. Many datasets are aggregated at the national or regional level, limiting our ability to track land use changes effectively. Some indicators, including those for biodiversity monitoring, are reported on at 6-year intervals, while others, such as soil quality metrics, lack regular updates. Data for some indicators, such as the Genuine Progress Indicator, are not currently collected, despite being beneficial in tracking the positive contributions and negative externalities associated with economic activity. We also found that monitoring of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances could be improved given the increasing concerns about “forever chemicals”. In summary, existing data collection efforts are fragmented, originating from disparate sources rather than a unified system. Integrating disparate production, environmental and socio-economic data remains a challenge that is likely to require substantial investment to redress.

How can the research findings be used?

The findings emphasise the need for improved data governance, coordination and investment in long-term data collection. Establishing a centralised governing body responsible for coordinating the collection of land use data and their dissemination through an empowered data-sharing platform could enhance data collaboration across providers. Shifting from one-off reporting, in some cases, to sustained longitudinal studies would help track policy impacts over time. Increasing resources for localised data collection would improve granularity, while greater transparency in data methodologies and reporting would enhance accessibility and usability for policymakers. These improvements would support evidence-based decision-making, enabling Ireland to meet its climate, biodiversity and socio-economic targets while fostering resilience in land use planning