Guest blog by Ruby Free, Campaigning Communications Officer, RSPB NI
For over two years, we’ve been campaigning for the NI Assembly to Revive Our World, asking for targets in law that protect and restore nature. On Wednesday 9th March 2022, we achieved huge campaign success. After years of campaigning, hours of debates, many amendments, meetings, and rallies, a Climate Bill has passed through the Northern Ireland Assembly!
We have campaigned alongside the public, youth campaigners, and environmental NGO’s as part of the Climate Coalition, consistently pressuring politicians to take action, ensuring Northern Ireland is no longer the only country in the UK and Ireland without Climate legislation. Last week, we saw momentous progress and reached our collective goal. Joanne Sherwood, Director of RSPB NI said “The historical significance of passing climate legislation in the NI Assembly should not be underestimated. RSPB NI welcomes the DAERA Minister’s Bill passing Final Stage and the role it will play in fighting the nature and climate crisis in Northern Ireland.
Recent additions to the Bill such as prioritising nature-based solutions, the establishing of a Climate Commissioner and a Just Transition Fund for agriculture put this Bill at the cutting edge of using nature as a natural ally in the fight against climate catastrophe.
We look forward to working in partnership with others in realising the ambition of the Climate Change Bill.”
Throughout the Climate Change Bill stages, campaigning has been vital and our policy team helped shape the bill to be stronger for nature. The Bill:
This wouldn’t have been possible without the support for our campaign from our supporters, campaigners, volunteers , partners and some public figure so a massive thank you. It shows together we can make a difference.
Youth Campaigners
Chris Packham supporting our campaign
Climate Coalition