Northern Ireland

North's new environmental strategy branded 'vague and unambitious' as world leaders negotiate climate action at Cop26

A new draft environmental strategy for Northern Ireland has been branded as "vague and unambitious"
A new draft environmental strategy for Northern Ireland has been branded as "vague and unambitious" A new draft environmental strategy for Northern Ireland has been branded as "vague and unambitious"

A NEW environmental strategy for Northern Ireland has been branded as "vague and unambitious" as world leaders at Cop26 attempt to strike a deal to limit global warning.

The US and China - the world's two biggest emitters of carbon dioxide - have unexpectedly declared that they will work together to avoid global temperature rises of above 1.5C, as set out in the 2015 Paris Agreement.

The draft Northern Ireland strategy, launched by DUP environment minister Edwin Poots at the UN climate summit in Glasgow yesterday, sets out how the north can play its role in cutting emissions as part of the UK's overall target of net zero by 2050.

The document, which covers key issues including air, water and land quality, biodiversity, waste management, agricultural policy and recycling, is separate to two competing climate bills going through the assembly.

A private member's bill, brought forward by Green Party leader Clare Bailey, aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the north to zero by 2045.

Mr Poots has brought forward his own, less ambitious, legislation.

Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK not to have its own climate legislation.

The strategy document includes few specific targets and instead commits to general aims and more research, including the publication of the north's first clean air strategy by next year.

The targets mentioned include increasing the amount of packaging being recycled from 60 percent to 78 percent by 2030, the introduction of a deposit return scheme for drinks containers by 2024/25, and ensuring that 70 percent of our waters reach 'good' status by 2027.

The strategy also wants the supply of ten common single-use plastic items, including disposable cutlery, to be restricted.

However, it does not include a specific date for the legislation to be introduced.

The New Decade, New Approach agreement included a commitment to establish an independent environmental protection agency.

However, the strategy did not state when the agency would be established.

It said an economic appraisal will be needed before any decision can be made.

Mr Poots described the strategy as "an open-ended, living document that will be supported by a series of action plans and targets and it confirms our environmental priorities for the coming decades".

However, Ms Bailey said the strategy does not go far enough.

"The scope and ambition of the draft strategy falls far short of what has been recommended by independent advisory bodies," she said.

"For example, The Woodland Trust has said that Northern Ireland needs to aim for woodland levels of 16 percent to 18 percent, but the draft strategy just proposes increasing our woodland cover from 8 percent to 8.8 percent by 2030.

“Vague and unambitious strategies are no substitute for the robust net zero climate legislation Northern Ireland needs.”

The strategy will be out for consultation until January 18.

The full document can be viewed at www.daera-ni.gov.uk/consultations