Alliance Deputy Leader Stephen Farry MP has said the outcome of COP26 is underwhelming, adding the climate event was a missed opportunity.

The North Down MP said Northern Ireland must set a stronger example itself through putting in place a Climate Change Act and a Green New Deal.

“We have seen an underwhelming outcome to COP26,” he said.

“While some progress has been made with the Glasgow Climate Pact, commitments to net zero by 2050 remain weak and insufficient. Too many decisions have been kicked down the road.

“The world is still falling well short of what is required to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees by the end of the century. The stark reality is global temperature is still rising and with current commitments we are on course to a disastrous 2.4 degrees rise. The world can’t afford many more missed opportunities.

“We, in Northern Ireland, can’t really challenge China and India to do more unless and until we have our own challenging Climate Change Act. This must be supported by a Green New Deal which integrates an economic and social transformation, with the measures required to address the climate emergency. Climate adaption shouldn’t be seen as a threat but rather an opportunity to create thousands of new green jobs.”