Focusing on environmental protection is an investment in long
term health, resilience and economic prosperity, DAERA Minister
has said.
During an address to the Northern Ireland Environment Forum,
organised by Agenda NI, Minister Muir laid out his vision for a
nature positive society that was “fair, resilient and
prosperous,” delivered through a just transition.
The Minister told attendees: “That vision is at the heart of my
work as Minister and our priorities are clear: championing
Climate Action that grasps opportunities for communities and our
environment; improving water quality at Lough Neagh and
elsewhere; facilitating nature recovery that halts and reverses
the trend on biodiversity loss; ensuring that we all share the
benefits of a circular economy; strengthening environmental
governance and embedding sustainability.”
In a broad ranging address Minister Muir outlined the progress
that had been made under the Environmental Improvement Plan and,
in recognising that there was more work to do, he reaffirmed his
strong support for an Independent Environmental Protection
Agency.
Noting the publication today of the Climate Change Committee's
‘Well-Adapted UK' Report, Minister Muir described climate change
as “the defining challenge of our generation,” as evidenced by
increased flash flooding, wildfires, other extreme weather events
and pressures on farming, food systems and infrastructure which
will continue to worsen. He also described how DAERA was taking
ambitious action across land use, waste, forestry, fisheries and
agriculture.
Minister Muir noted progress was being made in Northern Ireland,
with the public consultation on the first Climate Action Plan,
work beginning on a second action plan and the Third Northern
Ireland Climate Change Adaptation Programme also outlining
actions to strengthen resilience and utilise nature-based
solutions.
Arguing the climate crisis and biodiversity crisis were “two
sides of the same coin,” Minister Muir said he was determined to
reverse the trend on nature decline through the draft Nature
Recovery Strategy.
On the issue of water quality, the Minister highlighted that
action was being taken to reduce nutrient pollution and improve
river basin management and emphasised the importance of sectors
working together to restore and protect Lough Neagh.
The Minister stressed the importance of a “One Health approach”
in policy that recognised the “clear links between the
quality of our environment and public health”.
He observed: “Lough Neagh provides 40% of our drinking water,
demonstrating how improving water quality is not just about
protecting ecosystems. Clean air, clean water and access to
nature are fundamental to public wellbeing. Environmental
protection is an investment in long-term health and resilience.
Through our policies on air, water, chemicals, land and nature,
DAERA contributes directly to preventative health outcomes,
working closely with health, infrastructure and local government
partners, as well as our rural communities.”
On agriculture, The Minister stated: “With farmers managing
over one million hectares of land, they have a vital role to play
in nature recovery and have been for many generations the
custodians of our land. Through the Sustainable Agriculture
Programme, we are supporting farmers to aid nature recovery and
farm resilience.”
Citing the economic opportunities presented by the circular
economy and a greater collaboration between businesses and local
communities, the Minister added: “The solutions to many of our
problems also present massive opportunities if we only grasp them
– from climate action to nature recovery to a circular economy.
“It is all interlinked and all of us have a part to play. Through
sustained collaboration, focused on a just transition, we can all
feel the benefits that a nature positive society will bring.”
