Biodiversity-Friendly Lighting Guidelines

Artificial lighting is essential for our businesses, homes, roads, and recreational and amenity spaces. However, when used too much or incorrectly, it causes light pollution, which disrupts natural night-time conditions for people, animals and plants. This can negatively impact the environment, health, biodiversity and climate.

In Ireland, lighting has significantly increased over the years, leading to many people living under much brighter skies than normal. This light pollution affects the behaviour of nocturnal animals and harms insects, bats, birds, and fish. Many species rely on natural darkness, and excessive artificial light can interfere with their movement and activities.

Additionally, light pollution incurs considerable costs. Domestic lighting and public lighting both contribute to financial burdens and environmental issues, including carbon emissions. The widespread use of LED lights, which often emit high levels of blue light, further affects both ecology and human health, especially when cloudy skies reflect this light back down. To address these problems, it’s advisable to use warmer lighting and ensure that all lights are shielded to prevent light from shining upwards or into unintended areas.

The documents below provide specific guidance in relation to lighting design and it is recommended that this is incorporated into projects from the initial stages.