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Michelle F

 

On 3rd February, Ministers were appointed to the Northern Ireland Executive. This is the first time the Executive has operated in nearly two years. The Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) will now be headed up by a new Minister, Andrew Muir of the Alliance Party. 

In that time a lot of key work relating to the Environment was delayed, due to Ministers not being present to sign off on key decisions.   

While we have continued to engage with political stakeholders during Stormont’s hiatus, as soon as MLAs returned, we proactively engaged with them to highlight many of the key decisions that could be signed off within the first 100 days of this new term including:  

  • The publication of Northern Ireland’s first Environmental Improvement Plan – the Environment Strategy, and an action plan, funding and timetable for delivery 
  • Publish the overdue Northern Ireland Biodiversity Strategy
  • Launch consultations on: 
  • Northern Ireland’s first Climate Action Plan
  • A just Transition Commission
  • The establishment of Northern Ireland's first Climate Commissioner 
  • Finalise the establishment of two marine Special Protection Areas in East Coast and Carlingford Lough due to be expanded since 2015 
  • Publish the Peatland Strategy and establish a Peatland Restoration Fund 
  • Publicly consult on the new Draft Seabird Conservation Strategy 
  • Bring forward proposals for a new Agriculture Act that prioritises public money for public goods 
  • Expediate the rollout and funding for the Farming with Nature scheme 
  • Commit to the introduction of an Independent Environmental Protection Agency  
  • Bring forward proposals for a Nature Restoration Bill which would establish targets in law for nature’s restoration 

Many of these are long overdue. For example, campaigning for an independent Environmental Protection Agency, has been taking place for nearly two decades. The environmental crisis in Lough Neagh should act as an alarm bell for MLAs and Ministers, given its strategic importance as a source of drinking water for 40% of the population.  

We remain in the midst of an ongoing nature and climate crisis and it is important that the Assembly and Executive now move urgently in these areas given the growing threat these pose to our future. 

The new Assembly and Executive has three years to deliver on their commitments to tackle the nature and climate emergency. We cannot afford any more delays.