There can be no rolling back on climate action in the face of
record breaking rising global temperatures, DAERA Minister insisted today.
Minister Muir reaffirmed his commitment to climate action,
environmental recovery and stronger all-island cooperation during
a keynote address to the Environment Ireland Conference at Croke
Park in Dublin today.
In a wide ranging address, the Minister said the pressures facing
the environment, including climate change, biodiversity loss and
poor air and water quality, demand urgent and sustained action.
He also set out the extent of the progress made in Northern
Ireland, including the Environmental Improvement Plan, work on
the Nature Recovery Strategy, climate planning and action to
improve water quality.
Minister Muir told delegates: In the week when it was confirmed
that summer 2026 was provisionally the hottest on record for the
UK & Ireland and the UN Environment Programme warned that
global temperatures are set to cross 1.5 degrees Celsius, we must
strengthen our resolve. There can be no rolling back.
The Minister highlighted during his address work on Northern
Ireland's first Environmental Improvement Plan and also told
conference delegates that the forthcoming Nature Recovery
Strategy would strengthen the commitment to protect and manage
30% of land and sea for nature by 2030.
He pointed to investment through the Sustainable Agriculture
Programme and the importance of helping farmers deliver cleaner
water, environmental improvements and sustainable food
production.
On climate action, Minister Muir said Northern Ireland's first
Climate Action Plan is with ministerial colleagues for approval.
Work on the second plan is underway and the Fourth Carbon Budget
will be set in due course.
Minister Muir said: We have no time to waste in the face of the
climate emergency. The economic case for action and the
opportunities presented by good green jobs are clear. Wishing the
problem away or denying its existence will do nothing to secure
the future of our economy, society or farming in Northern
Ireland.
The Minister also stressed the importance of science and evidence
in tackling the environmental crisis at Lough Neagh and the wider
challenges of climate change and nature loss.
He argued: It is more important than ever that we stand up for
science and research to inform decision making, not only on water
quality, but on climate change and the environment more broadly.
Denial and deflection only delay and magnify the difficult
decisions needed to fix the problems before us.
Minister Muir highlighted the value of cooperation across the
island, including joint work on nature recovery, water quality,
marine resilience, biodiversity, air quality and climate
adaptation.
Environmental challenges do not recognise borders. By working
together, sharing evidence and learning from one another, we can
move faster and deliver better outcomes for people, nature and
the economy, Minister Muir added.
Environmental improvement is not a barrier to prosperity. It is
one of the foundations of prosperity. Working together, we can
leave future generations a healthier, cleaner and more resilient
environment.
Notes to editors:
-
The Met Office announced on 1
September 2026 that Summer 2026 was provisionally the
hottest on record for the UK, with a mean temperature of
16.5°C. Met Éireann also stated on 3
September 2026 that Ireland has experienced what was
provisionally the hottest summer since records began back in
1900.
- The UN Environment Programme
published Limiting Overshoot on 2 September 2026 that
identifies an overshoot, peak and decline pathway as the best
remaining option to minimise the scale and duration of warming
above 1.5°C and support a return below that level.
