Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA has said it is disappointing a consultation into an Executive Climate Change Bill aims to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 instead of 2030 but added the Bill as a whole is a vital move. Environment Minister Edwin Poots has launched the consultation, which will see the […]
Building regulations in Northern Ireland need to be updated to ensure we meet future environmental standards, Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has said. The Strangford MLA had asked Finance Minister Conor Murphy when building regulations would be reviewed, updated and published to ensure all new builds will meet zero carbon targets. In his reply, the Minister […]
Alliance Councillor Eóin Tennyson has said it is now incumbent on the Department of Infrastructure to use their powers of enforcement or discontinuance to address the erection of a wind turbine on the site of a scheduled monument at Knock Iveagh, and to meet any costs associated with this process. He was speaking after a […]
The impending end of the Brexit transition period shows the pressing need for an independent environmental protection agency for Northern Ireland, Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA has said. The South Antrim MLA was speaking after Environment Minister Edwin Poots updated the Assembly on the latest North-South Ministerial Council meeting, focusing on environmental matters. The […]
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA has welcomed the announcement of Northern Ireland’s first clean air strategy document by the Environment Minister. The member of the APG on Lung Health at Stormont said: “This announcement fulfils a significant commitment from the New Decade New Approach and I welcome the announcement of the Clean Air Strategy […]
Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has welcomed confirmation from the Environment Minister a public consultation on a Clean Air Strategy would be launched shortly. East Antrim MLA Mr Dickson was speaking after receiving a reply from Edwin Poots on his plans for such a strategy for Northern Ireland. The Minister stated his Department has been working […]
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA has said the submission of a Climate Change Bill to the Assembly marks a key milestone for climate action in Northern Ireland. South Antrim MLA Mr Blair was speaking after the cross-party Bill – sponsored by parties including the Green Party, Sinn Féin, SDLP, UUP, People Before Profit and […]
Serious questions need asked and answered after an Audit Office report showed owners of some renewable technologies were being paid “excessive subsidies” from people’s electricity bills, Alliance MLA John Blair has said. The report showed those who own standalone turbines and anaerobic digesters get higher payments than those in GB. It stated while they accounted […]
Alliance Environment spokesperson John Blair MLA has said we should mark Clean Air Day by renewing our commitment to improving air quality and reducing air pollution across Northern Ireland. Clean Air Day sees hundreds of events across the UK to highlight air pollution being the largest environmental health risk facing people, with Belfast seeing toxic air […]
It is now time for the UK Government and Executive to met the public desire for a fairer, localised and more green society, Alliance MP Stephen Farry has said. Dr Farry was speaking after the publication of a report by the Westminster All-Party Group on a Green New Deal, a group of which the North […]