Latest releases
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32 releases
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Just Transition Commission must be led by those who live and work in our industries not just talk about them
UUP agriculture spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA urges DAERA to fill the three agriculture seats on the new Just Transition Commission with people who understand farming and food production, not just academics and advocates. He says food and energy security must shape its terms of reference.
Agriculture and rural affairs Environment and climate Issue: DAERA appointments to the Just Transition Commission Original release: Just Transition Commission must be led by those who live and work in our industries not just talk about them (opens in a new tab)
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Proposed body to help tackle climate change ‘crucial’ – Finnegan
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan backs the proposed Just Transition Commission, put forward by the Environment Minister, saying it would help make climate change actions fair and measured while remaining effective. She says it would give agriculture, energy and infrastructure representation as the…
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Proposed Just Transition Commission from the Environment Minister Original release: Proposed body to help tackle climate change ‘crucial’ – Finnegan (opens in a new tab)
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Revise, don’t retreat Butler calls for realism on climate targets
UUP agriculture spokesperson Robbie Butler MLA urges a revision of the 2023-2027 Climate Action Plan targets rather than the DUP's proposed full withdrawal, citing energy and infrastructure failures and Stormont shutdowns. He says farmers must be central to any future plan and previews a UUP…
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: DUP motion calling for withdrawal of draft Climate Action Plan 2023-2027 Original release: Revise, don’t retreat Butler calls for realism on climate targets (opens in a new tab)
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We need more EV charging infrastructure in Belfast, says Long, welcoming progress
Alliance Belfast City Council Group Leader Councillor Michael Long welcomes council's agreement to begin tendering for the operating model of 42 EV charging stations on council land, after a Sinn Féin deferral. He calls for more charging infrastructure across Belfast to encourage electric vehicle…
Infrastructure and transport Local government Issue: Belfast City Council EV charging stations tender decision Original release: We need more EV charging infrastructure in Belfast, says Long, welcoming progress (opens in a new tab)
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Northern Ireland Cannot Be Broken by Unachievable Climate Targets
UUP Deputy Leader Robbie Butler MLA says a Audit Office report confirms concerns that the Department for Economy's energy strategy is falling short, and calls for a revision of Northern Ireland's 2030 climate targets, citing grid connection delays, planning delays and the lack of a storage strategy.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Audit Office report on Department for the Economy green energy strategy Original release: Northern Ireland Cannot Be Broken by Unachievable Climate Targets (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin committed to building cleaner, greener environment – Sheerin
SDLP... no. Sinn Féin MLA Emma Sheerin welcomes the Economy Department's pledge to meet its energy targets after an Audit Office report on its green energy strategy. She urges all parties to redouble efforts on climate goals, pointing to REPG price guarantees and a forthcoming mid-term review.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Audit Office report on Department for the Economy green energy strategy Original release: Sinn Féin committed to building cleaner, greener environment – Sheerin (opens in a new tab)
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Boylan welcomes new electric vehicle charging pilot scheme
Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan welcomes Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins's announcement of a six-month pilot testing electric vehicle charging across footways for households without driveway access. He says it will encourage more switching to electric vehicles as part of efforts to cut emissions.
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: Six-month pilot scheme for electric vehicle charging across footways Original release: Boylan welcomes new electric vehicle charging pilot scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Blair welcomes DAERA Minister’s commitment to key environmental decisions
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes DAERA Minister Andrew Muir's commitment to a series of environmental strategies this Assembly mandate, citing a written answer. He calls for political will across the chamber and reform of the Executive approval process, which he says is…
Environment and climate Issue: DAERA Minister Andrew Muir's environmental strategies commitment for remainder of mandate Original release: Blair welcomes DAERA Minister’s commitment to key environmental decisions (opens in a new tab)
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Finnegan welcomes publication of draft Climate Action Plan
Sinn Féin MLA Aoife Finnegan urges the public to respond to the consultation on the draft Climate Action Plan published by the environment department today. She says the party will assess the plan for a fair transition, all-Ireland climate challenges and the needs of rural communities.
Environment and climate Issue: DAERA draft Climate Action Plan consultation Original release: Finnegan welcomes publication of draft Climate Action Plan (opens in a new tab)
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Irish Unity is best defence to climate challenge – Lynn Boylan MEP
Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan says a conference in Dublin on climate change and an all-island strategy found broad agreement that Irish unity would best equip the island to meet the climate challenge. Boylan points to Storm Éowyn's cross-border impact as evidence for a joint approach.
Environment and climate Constitutional affairs Issue: Sinn Féin all-island climate change conference in Dublin Original release: Irish Unity is best defence to climate challenge – Lynn Boylan MEP (opens in a new tab)
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Irish unity is best defence to climate challenge – Boylan
Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan says a conference in Dublin on climate change across the island found broad agreement that Irish unity offers the best route to meeting the challenge, citing Storm Éowyn's cross-border impact as evidence for an all-island environmental strategy.
Environment and climate Constitutional affairs Original release: Irish unity is best defence to climate challenge – Boylan (opens in a new tab)
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Long welcomes planned delivery of green bus stop roofs scheme
Alliance Lisnasharragh Councillor Michael Long welcomes plans to fit green roofs on bus stop shelters in East Belfast, following installations on the Shankill Road, with further stops on the Castlereagh, Cregagh and Holywood roads due next year.
Environment and climate Infrastructure and transport Issue: Translink green bus stop roofs scheme East Belfast Original release: Long welcomes planned delivery of green bus stop roofs scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Just Transition Commission consultation launch is a vital step forward, says Blair.
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes the launch of a consultation on establishing a Just Transition Commission for Northern Ireland, which he says is a step forward on climate change. He urges the public to take part and says the agriculture sector needs a fair transition.
Environment and climate Agriculture and rural affairs Issue: Just Transition Commission consultation launch by DAERA Original release: Just Transition Commission consultation launch is a vital step forward, says Blair. (opens in a new tab)
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We need a unified effort to tackle climate change, says Blair, after opening of COP29.
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA welcomes the opening of the 29th UN Climate Change Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, and calls for a unified effort, citing recent flooding in Spain and in Northern Ireland. He also highlights local events, including DAERA Minister Muir's talk on a…
Environment and climate International affairs Issue: Opening of the 29th UN Climate Change Conference in Baku Original release: We need a unified effort to tackle climate change, says Blair, after opening of COP29. (opens in a new tab)
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Court ruling testament to hard work of campaigners, says Donnelly
Alliance candidate Danny Donnelly welcomes a Court of Appeal ruling that a licence for gas caverns off East Antrim should have gone to the full Executive, crediting campaigners on Islandmagee. He calls for an end to this and other fossil fuel projects across Northern Ireland.
Environment and climate Issue: Court of Appeal ruling on East Antrim gas caverns licence Original release: Court ruling testament to hard work of campaigners, says Donnelly (opens in a new tab)
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Building climate-resilient society offers significant opportunity, says Muir, after meeting with Climate Change Committee
Alliance Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Andrew Muir MLA says building a climate-resilient society would bring major economic and environmental gains, following a meeting in Belfast with leaders of the UK Climate Change Committee.
Environment and climate Issue: UK Climate Change Committee visit to Belfast Original release: Building climate-resilient society offers significant opportunity, says Muir, after meeting with Climate Change Committee (opens in a new tab)
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Efforts to achieve energy security and tackle climate change strengthened by all-island approach – Darren O’Rourke TD
Sinn Féin climate action spokesperson Darren O’Rourke TD says an all‑island strategy is essential to tackle energy security and climate change, warning that North‑South disjointedness raises costs and hampers emissions cuts, and urges policy alignment following the new IBEC‑CBI report.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: IBEC and CBI joint report on energy and climate Original release: Efforts to achieve energy security and tackle climate change strengthened by all-island approach – Darren O’Rourke TD (opens in a new tab)
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Shift to renewable energy showing clear environmental benefits – McGuigan
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan says the shift to wind energy is showing clear environmental benefits, citing a Wind Energy Ireland report on record renewable output and reduced emissions. He calls for the immediate restoration of the Assembly to meet emissions targets under the Climate Change Act.
Environment and climate Issue: Wind Energy Ireland report on record renewable electricity output Original release: Shift to renewable energy showing clear environmental benefits – McGuigan (opens in a new tab)
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Durkan: COP28 agreement on fossil fuels lacks substance
SDLP Climate Change Spokesperson Mark H Durkan says the COP28 agreement to transition away from fossil fuels lacks ambition and is weak without quantified targets. He calls for a watertight just transition plan and a corporate green levy on large companies.
Environment and climate International affairs Issue: COP28 agreement on transitioning away from fossil fuels Original release: Durkan: COP28 agreement on fossil fuels lacks substance (opens in a new tab)
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McReynolds welcomes positive report findings on attitudes to electric vehicles
Alliance infrastructure spokesperson Peter McReynolds MLA welcomes a 2022/23 Continuous Household Survey finding that a third of respondents would seriously weigh an e-vehicle for their next purchase. He calls for faster rollout of public EV charge points, warning Northern Ireland is falling…
Infrastructure and transport Environment and climate Issue: 2022/23 Continuous Household Survey electric vehicle attitudes findings Original release: McReynolds welcomes positive report findings on attitudes to electric vehicles (opens in a new tab)