DAERA Minister has launched a public
consultation on a draft strategy to help protect human health and
the environment by improving air quality in Northern Ireland.
The draft Clean Air Strategy for Northern Ireland sets out an
ambition to improve air quality by 2032 through five strategic
objectives and a comprehensive programme of actions, including
upgraded monitoring, annual awareness campaigns, transport
planning and tighter fuel and appliance standards.
Together, the proposed measures will support a healthier
population, more resilient natural environments, and cleaner
communities. The strategy aims to ensure that by 2032, Northern
Ireland has stronger air quality protections, greater public
understanding of air pollution, and the foundations for continued
longterm improvement.
Launching the consultation, Minister Muir said: The air we
breathe is vital to our health and that of our environment.
There is no safe' level of air pollution and sadly, hundreds of
deaths in Northern Ireland can be attributed to long-term
exposure to poor air quality. Cleaner air must be a public health
priority, and we cannot ignore the risks, particularly to
children and older people.
The draft Clean Air Strategy sets my commitment to cleaner air
for all. To fulfil that ambition, we must take a holistic
approach, working across government, councils and civic society.
Many of the solutions to air pollution are intertwined with the
actions we take for nature and our climate, delivering huge
benefits from cleaner energy to a more active and healthier
population.
Welcoming the consultation, Northern Ireland's Chief Medical
Officer, Professor Sir Michael McBride said: Air pollution
affects us all and is everyone's business. The environment in
which we live, and the air that we breathe, has a direct impact
on our mental and physical health.
Poor air quality is the greatest environmental risk to public
health in the UK, with long-term exposure to air pollution
causing chronic conditions such as cardiovascular and respiratory
disease, and lung cancer, leading to reduced life expectancy.
This impact is disproportionally felt by underserved populations,
deepening and widening the unjust health inequalities that exist
in Northern Ireland. I am delighted that this consultation
recognised this as a key health concern and seeks views on the
best way to address this issue and improve environmental and
health outcomes.
Prof McBride concluded: I would encourage everyone to consider
and respond to the consultation, and for us all to play our part
in making Northern Ireland a better and healthier place to
live.
Joseph Carter, Chair of Healthy Air Northern Ireland and Head of
Asthma + Lung UK Northern Ireland said: Air pollution is the
second biggest cause of lung disease, following smoking. It is
the biggest environmental threat to health. At a cost of up to
£50billion to the UK economy, air pollution is draining our
resources, straining our health system and cutting short 900
lives a year in Northern Ireland. It is a public health crisis.
Lung health in Northern Ireland is one of the poorest in Europe.
High levels of air pollution can cause asthma attacks that can
lead to hospitalisation. It causes new lung conditions and
worsens existing ones like asthma and chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD).
This strategy represents a crucial step forward in bringing
Northern Ireland in line with other UK nations and the Republic
of Ireland. It will provide a cross-departmental vision to tackle
air pollution, helping to protect our communities and saving
lives.
The consultation on the draft Clean Air Strategy for Northern
Ireland to 2032 is open for eight weeks and closes on 27 October
2026: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/consultations/clean-air-strategy-northern-ireland-2032.
