Senior business leaders from across Northern Ireland took part in a Business in the Community (BITC) "Seeing is Believing" visit examining how companies can help protect and restore nature and biodiversity.

Led by Joe O'Neill, CEO of Belfast Harbour, the full-day programme brought delegates to Belfast Harbour, Lough Neagh and Northstone's Craigantlet quarry to see environmental pressures first-hand, hear from those delivering on-the-ground restoration, and consider implications for their own organisations.

Northern Ireland is among the most nature-depleted places in the world. Evidence shows 12% of assessed species are threatened with extinction; farmland bird numbers have fallen by 43% since 1996; the distribution of 891 flowering plant species has declined by 14% since 1970; and there has been no improvement in river ecological status since 2015.

At Belfast Harbour, participants heard about measures to restore and enhance biodiversity across the port estate. The group then visited Lough Neagh — the largest freshwater lake in the UK and Ireland — where local fishing people and Lough Neagh Stories outlined the Lough's habitats, wildlife, fishing heritage and the environmental pressures affecting this vital landscape.

The final stop was Northstone's Craigantlet quarry, where delegates learned how an operational quarry can manage environmental responsibilities, plan for long-term restoration and create opportunities for habitat protection and enhancement. A concluding round-table discussion gave leaders space to reflect on what they had seen and to consider practical commitments their organisations could make — including through partnerships, site-based action, internal decision-making and by engaging with the Business and Biodiversity Charter.

Joe O'Neill, CEO of Belfast Harbour, said: "At Belfast Harbour, we believe environmental leadership and commercial success go hand in hand. Today's event focused on nature and biodiversity, and we are already delivering nature-based solutions across the Harbour Estate. This leadership is recognised by achieving the BITC Biodiversity Charter at Platinum level for 5 years. We are currently working with Ulster Wildlife Trust on a third estate wide assessment of our biodiversity assets, dependencies and pressures to inform our strategic initiatives in this important area.

"The value of bringing leaders together to share knowledge, learn from real-world experience and inspire action was evident today. We hope the insights shared today will help organisations across NI accelerate their own efforts to protect biodiversity, reduce emissions and build a more sustainable future."

Dr Lisa McIlvenna, Managing Director of Business in the Community Northern Ireland, said: "Responsible business leadership means recognising that healthy nature underpins healthy communities, resilient places and long-term business success. This Seeing is Believing visit was about moving from awareness to action, helping leaders identify the practical steps they can take individually and collectively to support nature-positive outcomes."

Find out more about the Business & Biodiversity Charter at www.bitcni.org.uk/biodiversity.