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BBC News
a day ago
- Business
- BBC News
Climate Action Plan: What does new document mean for NI?
Northern Ireland's first Climate Action Plan has been published for is a roadmap to support emission reduction targets across nine sectors, including energy, transport, waste management and sets out how Northern Ireland will meet its 2023-2027 carbon budget target of cutting emissions by an annual average of 33%, compared to the base year of plan is led by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) and is a legal obligation under the Climate Change Act which must be renewed every five years. So, what does the plan set out for different areas of society? Energy production The Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 sets out a target of at least 80% of electricity used in Northern Ireland to come from renewable sources by CAP outlines that the goal is to produce more clean energy, such as wind and solar power to achieve the 80% are plans to continue a support scheme that has helped NI generate more renewable energy and have rules to control certain harmful gases that can damage the CAP proposes a new programme to encourage more renewable electricity. Farming and agriculture Agriculture is the largest emitter. It was responsible for 29.1% of Northern Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions in 2022, according to the rose to 31% based on 2023 has chosen not to follow the UK Climate Change Committee's recommendation that livestock numbers should be it opts for changing farming practices to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the sector. The UK's Climate Change Committee has previously recommended "radical action" for Northern Ireland to reach its goals, including reducing livestock numbers to reduce emissions in draft plan does not act on that it relies on improving farm productivity through genetics, soil testing and novel feeds, encouraging low carbon farming practices and increasing the use of slurry for energy through biomethane generation to cut emissions in the farming CAP outlines that the Sustainable Agriculture Programme will help farms become more environmentally friendly and work better together, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in farming in Northern Ireland. Business and industry Business and industry is responsible for 11.9% of Northern Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions, according to the CAP outlines that businesses and industries in NI follow many UK are also plans in place for NI to help the economy. These include:Checking how well heating and power systems use energy and how they affect the environmentMaking buildings more energy efficientSetting rules on emissions (pollution from businesses), product design, and labellingRequiring businesses to report their emissions and offering funding to help them improveEncouraging the use of natural gas instead of other fuelsUpdating Northern Ireland's building rules Transport Transport is the second-largest source of emissions in Northern CAP says vehicle emissions will be reduced by switching fuels to zero and low emissions plan proposes shifting modes of transport away from private car journeys to sustainable travel alternatives like walking and cycling. It also proposes reducing the need and length of vehicle journeys. Residential and public buildings Emissions from Northern Ireland's homes have fallen by 31.4% between 1990 and 2022, according to the CAP. Emissions from residential buildings are mainly due to the use of fossil fuels for heating and generating hot CAP says in order to cut down emissions, cleaner ways to heat homes will need to be used. This means switching to fuels like natural gas and using new heating systems that run on is also planned that how homes are built will be improved to make them easier to heat, along with making homes use less energy to help reduce how much power is used. Waste management Waste accounted for 3.6% of total Northern Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions in 2022, according to the recycling rates have increased from 10% in 2010 to just over 51% in law sets a target to recycle at least 70% of waste by CAP says reducing emissions in waste will be achieved by:Making improvements to how food waste is collected from households and less biodegradable waste going to landfill Increasing recycling rates and improving quality of the material that is collected for recycling Land use and forestry Land use and forestry emissions represented 10.1% of total annual emissions in NI in 2022, the CAP outlined. This rose to 12% in CAP says in order to help the environment, a reduction in pollution is needed, along with absorbing more carbon from the plan states:The Forests for Our Future plan will create 9,000 hectares of new woodland by Northern Ireland Peatland Strategy will help protect these important habitats. Programmes such as Farming with Nature and the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme will support farmers in caring for the land while helping the should be noted that at the halfway point of the Forests for Our Future plan, about 2,000 hectares have been created, a shortfall the Woodland Trust described as "a missed opportunity".The conservation charity's Northern Ireland director John Martin said "urgent and sustained action" was needed."Every tree planted is a legacy of hope, resilience, and renewal for generations to come," he said."Now is the time to reinvigorate our collective commitment to woodland creation and management in Northern Ireland." Fisheries Fisheries is the smallest emissions sector, accounting for 0.1% of NI's greenhouse gas emissions in are plans to invest in research to find new ways to make fishing boats less harmful to the are also plans to prepare for change by exploring the use of electric boats and low or zero emission fuels. Announcing the consultation, the Daera minister said it was a "milestone moment" in addressing climate change."We have seen the damaging and costly impacts of climate change around the world and closer to home from flash flooding, wildfires and more frequent and severe storms," Andrew Muir said."No section of society is immune. It is essential we take action and I would encourage everyone to take part in this 16-week consultation." Analysis: Questions over speed of action By BBC News NI agriculture and environment correspondent Louise Cullen The consultation on this draft plan may well be greeted with a cry of, "at last" from campaigners. The final plan should have been laid at the end of 2023, but better late than never. As the lead department, Daera is confident the plan puts Northern Ireland on the trajectory to meet the first carbon budget target – much of the estimated £718m cost has already been invested with many of the policies and proposals referenced in place. But some of those policies are proving slow to get off the ground. "Future generations will thank us for stepping up to this challenge of our lifetimes," ends Muir's statement. But how quickly we move now will be the decider. During the 16-week consultation there will be 10 public events and 2 online sector-specific sessions for people to consultation will close on 8 October.
Belfast Telegraph
10-06-2025
- General
- Belfast Telegraph
Mandatory microchipping of cats in NI ‘could ease pressures on charities'
A plan announced by Daera last month — The Animal Welfare Pathway 'Advancing Animal Welfare in Northern Ireland 2025-27' — aims to reform animal welfare legislation over the next two years. In his ambitious 10-point plan, Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir is hoping to examine the case for mandatory microchipping of cats, in line with other jurisdictions within the UK where it has become mandatory. Cats Protection's Northern Ireland cat centre has welcomed the news as a 'huge step forward'. Northern Ireland has the lowest microchipping rates in the UK. According to statistics obtained by the charity, there are currently 250,000 owned cats here, but just 64% (160,000) of these are microchipped. Microchips are the safest and quickest way to reunite a cat with their owner. Without one, they might never be reunited with their family. The centre has 92 cats and kittens being cared for by volunteers, with a further 51 on the waiting list. These range in age from week-old kittens who will be ready for homing once they are old enough, up to 14-year-old cats. Cats Protection advocacy and government relations officer for Northern Ireland Alice Palombo said: 'These plans are a huge step forward for Northern Ireland and we will be doing everything we can to help bring them into action and drive them forward. 'We look forward to working with Minister Muir and his department to make a better life for cats in Northern Ireland. 'It is also great to see a commitment to look into compulsory microchipping for cats in Northern Ireland by examining how this new law has been working in England. 'Northern Ireland consistently has the lowest cat microchipping rates in the UK. 'Microchips are the safest and quickest way to reunite a cat with their owner. Without one, they might never be reunited with their family. 'A cat without a microchip also puts a strain on rehoming organisations like Cats Protection. 'Our team has to try to locate the owners of the cat without a microchip, which takes up space in our pens for cats that need us the most.' News Catch Up - Tuesday 10th June She added cats that are not microchipped have an impact on their trap, neuter and release work which helps control local feral populations. 'When a cat without a microchip comes into the care of a rehoming organisation like Cats Protection, it places a strain on our resources to find the owner,' Ms Palombo added. 'Like most rehoming organisations across Northern Ireland, we have long waiting lists and owned cats without microchips take up space in pens for cats that need us the most.' The USPCA are members of the NICAWG (Northern Ireland Animal Welfare Group) and have also welcomed the minister's plan. A spokesperson for the charity said that responsible cat ownership can help protect wildlife. 'Feral cats often live in difficult conditions without regular food, shelter, or veterinary care, and their instinct to hunt can impact small birds and mammals,' it said. 'Humanely managing stray and feral cat populations through neutering is a much-needed solution. 'Additionally, responsible cat ownership is key in helping to protect our wildlife. 'Simple steps like keeping cats indoors during dawn and dusk can help birds and using quick-release collars with bells will warn potential prey. 'It's important to remember that cats are beloved companions to many. 'With a bit of care, we can protect both pets and wild animals.'
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Daera 'possibly failed' to comply with law over wild birds
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) may have failed to comply with environmental law, according to a new report. It is in relation to special protection areas for at-risk wild birds, such as puffins, whooper swans and light-bellied Brent geese. An investigation from the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) had been previously launched in March 2024, following potential failures to implement recommendations given by a conservation body. Daera said it welcomes the OEP's work and will be "considering the investigation findings", whilst recognising "that there is much more to do to protect our natural environment and the habitats that wild birds and other wildlife need to survive and thrive". The OEP has issued Daera with a notice, which they must respond to within two months. A full response will be delivered by the deadline of 5 August Helen Venn, the OEP chief regulatory officer has said that the government has a legal obligation to maintain populations of wild birds and ensure they have enough suitable habitat. Ms Venn said "our investigation has found what we believe to be possible failures to comply with environmental law by DAERA relating to the protection of wild birds". She noted the decline in wild birds across Northern Ireland, adding that recent studies have placed "a quarter of birds found on the island of Ireland on the Birds of Conservation Concern Red List". The investigation in March 2024 looked into failures to implement recommendations given by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) and other conservation public bodies on the classification and adaptation of Special Protection Areas (SPAs) A parallel investigation is looking at the same issues relating to England, and information notices have also been issued to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Secretary of State (SoS) and Natural England. The Office for Environmental Protection, external is a new environmental governance body, which holds the government and other public authorities in England and Northern Ireland to account on their environmental protection and improvement. It also covers reserved UK-wide matters. It advises the government and Northern Ireland Assembly on any changes to environmental law. It has statutory powers to investigate and enforces compliance with environmental law where needed. That enforcement can include legal action if unresolved through compliance with recommendations. Department investigated over bird protection areas Department investigated over ammonia guidance Bird flu causes 'dramatic decline' in NI seabirds
BBC News
09-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Wild birds: Daera 'possibly failed' to comply with environmental law
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) may have failed to comply with environmental law, according to a new is in relation to special protection areas for at-risk wild birds, such as puffins, whooper swans and light-bellied Brent investigation from the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) had been previously launched in March 2024, following potential failures to implement recommendations given by a conservation body. Daera said it welcomes the OEP's work and will be "considering the investigation findings", whilst recognising "that there is much more to do to protect our natural environment and the habitats that wild birds and other wildlife need to survive and thrive". The OEP has issued Daera with a notice, which they must respond to within two months. A full response will be delivered by the deadline of 5 August Helen Venn, the OEP chief regulatory officer has said that the government has a legal obligation to maintain populations of wild birds and ensure they have enough suitable Venn said "our investigation has found what we believe to be possible failures to comply with environmental law by DAERA relating to the protection of wild birds".She noted the decline in wild birds across Northern Ireland, adding that recent studies have placed "a quarter of birds found on the island of Ireland on the Birds of Conservation Concern Red List". The investigation in March 2024 looked into failures to implement recommendations given by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) and other conservation public bodies on the classification and adaptation of Special Protection Areas (SPAs) A parallel investigation is looking at the same issues relating to England, and information notices have also been issued to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Secretary of State (SoS) and Natural England. What is the OEP? The Office for Environmental Protection, external is a new environmental governance body, which holds the government and other public authorities in England and Northern Ireland to account on their environmental protection and also covers reserved UK-wide advises the government and Northern Ireland Assembly on any changes to environmental has statutory powers to investigate and enforces compliance with environmental law where enforcement can include legal action if unresolved through compliance with recommendations.
BBC News
27-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Portstewart Strand: Dead minke whale removed from County Londonderry beach
A dead minke whale has been removed from Portstewart Strand in County Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) said the whale washed up on the beach on Sunday National Trust said it worked with a range of agencies and marine mammal experts to follow protocol, removing and disposing of the whale on Tuesday afternoon. "It was important the removal happened as quickly as possible as decaying marine mammals pose a serious health risk," a spokesperson added. Laurence Ghisoiu, senior visitor experience officer for the National Trust, told BBC News NI the last time a whale was beached on Portstewart Strand was in then, it was taken to landfill. While minke whales are known to be among the smallest, they can grow to about 35 ft (10m) and weigh up to 20,000 lb (9,000 kg).The species can usually be seen between July and October in UK waters and live for up to 50 can come ashore for many reasons, including injury, illness, bad weather and navigational errors leading them into shallow water.
