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Feeling better can start with small changes

Our natural environment supports the food that we eat, our economy and it also improves our own health and wellbeing. By protecting it, we both support and benefit from it.

Your wallet

Your wellbeing

Your world

Did you know?

GDP (Gross Domestic Product)

Over half the world’s total GDP, around $44 trillion, is dependent on nature and what it provides. Nature gives us clean water and sanitation, the pollination of crops, the plants we use to make medicine. That’s why it’s vital that we protect and invest in nature.

(Environmental Protection Agency, 2023)

Natural defences

Nature can offer natural defences against the weather. In rural locations, wetlands and peatlands can absorb excess rain and reduce flooding. In cities, green spaces can do the same, trees stabilise soil, reducing erosion while also providing shelter and shade from the sun.

Forestry

By the beginning of the 20th century, just 1-2% of Ireland was forested. Latest studies show around 11% of Ireland’s land is forest, this figure needs to continue growing.

(Dept. of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, 2023)

A woman is sitting on a bench in her garden, surrounded by plants. She is sipping from a cup and is petting her dog, who is lying beside her

Why it matters

Our lives and our economy are heavily reliant upon the environment we inhabit. Access to clean, outdoor spaces helps us relax, stay active and connect with others. A clean environment also supports the natural systems that sustain our lives.

 Over half the world’s income depends on nature. Healthy ecosystems provide clean air and water, support food production and stabilise our climate.

 Green and open spaces support physical health, encourage activity and help improve mental wellbeing.

 Protecting nature creates healthier environments and more resilient communities for the future.

 Nature provides materials for buildings, furniture and other products – with pop-out info (from the roof of your house to your kitchen, nature provides essential materials like wood, metals and minerals which we use in everyday life.).

 Plants form the basis of up to 50% of the medicines on our shelves.

 Green and open spaces support physical health, encourage activity and help improve mental wellbeing.

(World Health Organisation, 2025)

What you can do

Looking after the natural world, your health and your wellbeing can go together.

Whether it’s a simple change to your routine or a bigger lifestyle shift, every step can make a positive difference.

A mother and her children lying in a tent they have made from a blanket inside their home

Small changes:

Making small changes to your everyday habits can support a healthy natural environment and help create calmer, healthier and more productive surroundings.

 Be conscious with your waste - over two thirds of our general bins (“black bins”) could have been recycled or composted but instead it ends up in a landfill. Poor waste management results in harmful microplastics and toxins entering our water and food systems. Learn about municipal waste.

 Reduce single use plastic packaging e.g. reusable coffee cups - bringing a reusable coffee cup with you to avoid buying single use cups reduces litter and the need for recycling. Litter Monitoring Body National Report 2024 (PDF, 59 pages, 2.7MB)

 Bring more nature into your space - adding pollinator plants, a bird feeder or a bee hotel can make gardens or balconies better places for nature. Top ten pollinator plants guide (PDF, 28 pages, 21.4 MB)

 Create a low energy evening environment - switching off unnecessary lights at night can lower energy use and help create a more restful atmosphere that’s better for night-time pollinators too. Learn about residential sector energy.
An older woman and young girl are tending to plants together and smiling

Medium changes:

Changes to how we garden, shop and spend time outdoors can support wellbeing while benefiting the environment.

 Choose healthier options for your space - avoiding harsh chemicals in your garden creates a safer, healthier outdoor environment for families and pets. Learn how to make homemade weed killer.

 Support local producers - buying from local organic farms can connect you more closely to where your food comes from while supporting local communities. Find organic farmer profiles.

 Grow some of your own food - growing even a few pots of herbs, fruit or vegetables can be good for your health and gives you fresh produce just outside your kitchen. You can also check out community gardening which is getting popular.
A group of five people are on the beach, cleaning up rubbish

Big changes:

Bigger changes creates outdoor spaces that support wellbeing for you and the people around you.

 Plant trees - trees absorb carbon, create shade, improve air quality and provide peaceful places to relax. Learn how to plant a tree.

 Create a pond or water feature - ponds don’t just look great, they are fantastic habitats for wildlife and for supporting a rich biodiversity. Permanent and naturally vegetated ponds are also excellent at capturing carbon. Get information on how to build a wildlife pond on your land.

 Bring people together outdoors - community activities such as planting days or local clean-ups are a great way to tackle big neighbourhood projects and to strengthen local connections. Learn about pocket forests.

How AIB supports our natural environment

We recognise that the natural environment is priceless for our economy as well as the wellbeing of customers, colleagues and communities.

With a presence in over 170 communities across the island of Ireland, we help support positive environmental initiatives as well as natural habitat restoration while creating healthier spaces for people.

These include:

 Farm Zero C –  we partnered with the Farm Zero C initiative to support the development of climate‑neutral dairy farming. This can enhance biodiversity, soil health and water quality while helping our rural economies by remaining commercially viable.

 'Killarney Coffee cup initiative' - we were a key sponsor of an initiative for Killarney to become Ireland’s first disposable coffee cup free town. Killarney aims to become single use cup free.

 Sponsoring the planting of 275,000 native trees through the 100 Million Trees Project.

 Partnering with Coillte Nature and Forestry Partners to plant 90,000 native Irish trees.

 Supporting biodiversity research through the €10 million AIB Trinity Climate Hub.

 Promoting pollinator-friendly actions through the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan.

Together these initiatives help create greener, healthier environments for communities across Ireland.

A mother and young daughter potting a plant in their back garden

Frequently asked questions

Find out more on sustainability

Travel

There are many actions you can take to make your daily commute, occasional journeys, and holiday travel smarter and more sustainable.

Energy

With the rising cost of energy, making smart changes can help both your wallet as well as the environment.

Your Steps to Sustainability

Living sustainably doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. But if that is something you want, we can help you to build a sustainable future.