Menu
30/09/2024
NI Executive Approves Environmental Improvement Plan
The Department of Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Minister Andrew Muir has welcomed the Executive's approval of Northern Ireland's first Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP).
The EIP will serve as Northern Ireland's initial Environment Strategy, outlining a comprehensive set of interventions and measures to enhance the quality of the environment. Minister Muir emphasised the plan's significance in improving public health and well-being, fostering economic development in an environmentally sustainable manner, and contributing to global environmental protection.
Northern Ireland faces a range of environmental challenges, including habitat loss, species decline, greenhouse gas emissions, and issues related to water, air, soil, waste management, and the circular economy. The EIP aims to address these challenges and provide a collective response to the global crises of biodiversity loss and climate change.
To ensure accountability and transparency, the EIP will undergo regular review and revision, and will be subject to independent scrutiny by the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP). This oversight will help ensure that all Northern Ireland departments are taking necessary steps to improve the environment.
DAERA's officials have worked with key stakeholders, including other departments and external bodies, to develop six strategic objectives for the EIP with the understanding that a better environment can provide economic, social and health benefits for individuals and for society, and outline a pathway to realising these benefits.
The objectives are:
1. Excellent air, water and land quality;
2. A healthy and accessible environment and landscapes everyone can connect with and enjoy;
3. Thriving, resilient and connected nature and wildlife;
4. Sustainable production and consumption on land and at sea;
5. Zero waste and a highly developed circular economy, and
6. Net zero greenhouse gas emissions and improved climate resilience and adaptability.
Minister Muir said action must start now: "When it comes to the environment maintaining the status quo is not an option. We all have a collective responsibility to deliver the change urgently required, the EIP sets an important framework and baseline for action to protect our environment."
The EIP will serve as Northern Ireland's initial Environment Strategy, outlining a comprehensive set of interventions and measures to enhance the quality of the environment. Minister Muir emphasised the plan's significance in improving public health and well-being, fostering economic development in an environmentally sustainable manner, and contributing to global environmental protection.
Northern Ireland faces a range of environmental challenges, including habitat loss, species decline, greenhouse gas emissions, and issues related to water, air, soil, waste management, and the circular economy. The EIP aims to address these challenges and provide a collective response to the global crises of biodiversity loss and climate change.
DAERA's officials have worked with key stakeholders, including other departments and external bodies, to develop six strategic objectives for the EIP with the understanding that a better environment can provide economic, social and health benefits for individuals and for society, and outline a pathway to realising these benefits.
The objectives are:
1. Excellent air, water and land quality;
2. A healthy and accessible environment and landscapes everyone can connect with and enjoy;
3. Thriving, resilient and connected nature and wildlife;
4. Sustainable production and consumption on land and at sea;
5. Zero waste and a highly developed circular economy, and
6. Net zero greenhouse gas emissions and improved climate resilience and adaptability.
Minister Muir said action must start now: "When it comes to the environment maintaining the status quo is not an option. We all have a collective responsibility to deliver the change urgently required, the EIP sets an important framework and baseline for action to protect our environment."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
16 May 2017
Call For Action After Fish Found Dead In Co Antrim
The Alliance Party is calling for action to be taken after over 40 fish were found dead in the Woodburn reservoir catchment area, near Carrickfergus in County Antrim. East Antrim MLA, Stewart Dickson, has written to NI Water and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) to flag the issues and ascertain why it happened.
Call For Action After Fish Found Dead In Co Antrim
The Alliance Party is calling for action to be taken after over 40 fish were found dead in the Woodburn reservoir catchment area, near Carrickfergus in County Antrim. East Antrim MLA, Stewart Dickson, has written to NI Water and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) to flag the issues and ascertain why it happened.
21 May 2015
Environment Agency Must Step Up Enforcement
A review of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) has recommended the department increases the penalties for offenders involved in environmental crime. The Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJI) was invited by the Environment Minister Mark Durkan to look at the operation and work of the agency's Environmental Crime Unit (ECU).
Environment Agency Must Step Up Enforcement
A review of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) has recommended the department increases the penalties for offenders involved in environmental crime. The Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJI) was invited by the Environment Minister Mark Durkan to look at the operation and work of the agency's Environmental Crime Unit (ECU).
01 May 2015
£1.25m Natural Environment Fund Opens
A £1.25 million Natural Environment Fund (NEF) has now opened for applications. The fund, for Non Governmental Organisations (NGO) in Northern Ireland, aims to help protect landscape, species and access to the countryside.
£1.25m Natural Environment Fund Opens
A £1.25 million Natural Environment Fund (NEF) has now opened for applications. The fund, for Non Governmental Organisations (NGO) in Northern Ireland, aims to help protect landscape, species and access to the countryside.
08 March 2022
New Environmental Protections For NI
Environment Minister Edwin Poots has welcomed new legislative provisions providing additional environmental protections for Northern Ireland.
New Environmental Protections For NI
Environment Minister Edwin Poots has welcomed new legislative provisions providing additional environmental protections for Northern Ireland.
26 March 2024
Environmental Report Highlights 'Failure To Act'
A new environmental report highlights Northern Ireland's failure to act on protecting its environment, Alliance's Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA has said.
Environmental Report Highlights 'Failure To Act'
A new environmental report highlights Northern Ireland's failure to act on protecting its environment, Alliance's Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA has said.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
