Author: Dr Conor Purcell, NovaAura Research
Partner IEN Groups: An Taisce, the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG), and BirdWatch Ireland
How does Ireland’s media connect offshore renewable energy with the protection of marine biodiversity?
Drawing on a selected sample of 50 articles published across five Irish media outlets between 2021 and 2025, this report examines the visibility of biodiversity alongside climate goals, economic priorities and community concerns. Policy review and interviews with environmental NGOs provide further context.
Within the sample, economic and delivery considerations dominate, while biodiversity receives limited and uneven attention. The report offers practical recommendations to help environmental organisations, policymakers and communicators bring ecological evidence, public participation and the climate imperative into a more informed conversation about Ireland’s offshore energy future.
