The Northern Ireland Executive’s first-ever Climate Change Bill could “revolutionise” the region’s approach to climate change, according to Environment Minister Edwin Poots.
Minister Poots explained he hoped the new bill, which was launched on Wednesday (December 9), will be viewed not just as an environmental challenge, but also as an economic opportunity.
“Climate Change is a defining issue of our time on a global and national scale,” he said.
“This was recognised in the New Decade, New Approach document published earlier this year, which called on the Executive to tackle climate change head-on and to introduce legislation and targets to reduce carbon emissions.
“Climate change is a challenge that Northern Ireland must meet head-on. It is not something facing us in the future, it is happening here and now.
A business as usual approach no longer works – it’s just not an option. We must play our part in the global effort to curb climate change by tackling the causes, such as reducing our emissions and increasing the capture of greenhouse gases.
“It is also a necessity that we do more to address the impacts and reduce those risks from climate change that we cannot prevent.
“Climate change is of course a challenge, but it also presents a massive economic opportunity, by changing how we approach business, production, waste and by using our natural resources to grow the economy. In doing so, we protect our environment whilst at the same time, develop it to maximise its benefits.
If we do it well, we create highly skilled jobs, lower waste, reduce our carbon footprint, increase efficiency and of course, protect our environment for future generations.
“…Northern Ireland has seen progress in reducing our greenhouse gas emissions, with the latest emission statistics published in June 2020 confirming a decrease of 20% in Northern Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions compared to the base year (1990).
“Whilst this is a step in the right direction, there is still a considerable way to go to achieve what is required in tackling climate change.
“We need urgent and concrete action now. I hope that by bringing through effective climate change legislation, we can move quickly towards achieving net-zero within the UK at least by 2050.”
The consultation is open until February 1, 2021.
