This strategy, which forms part of Executives Green Growth agenda, outlines Northern Ireland’s environmental priorities over the next decades.
It includes both existing and new targets/objectives for Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and all Northern Ireland Departments that have a role to play in improving the environment.
Minister Edwin Poots announced the news during a speech to the Northern Ireland Assembly.
After the meeting, Mr Poots stated that he was delighted to be able approve the final Environment Strategy. This strategy was a draft that I had originally launched in November 2012 for consultation at COP26. Before it can be published, it must be officially approved by an incoming Executive.
This strategy will provide a cohesive response to the global challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss.
Our environment is central to our existence. It is central to everything we do, eat, where we live, and how we work. Northern Ireland is facing a variety of environmental challenges including habitat and species loss and climate change.
The DAERA Minister said that it was urgent to act if we are to address the challenges of climate change and the destruction of habitats, loss of biodiversity, as well as the impacts of pollution at land and sea.
As we move into a post-Covid world, it is important to protect and enhance our environment. My officials have worked closely with key stakeholders, including external bodies, to create a strategy that will help deliver a better environment. This can have great economic, social, and health benefits for individuals as well as society.
Mr. Poots explained that many of the actions, targets, and strategies in the draft strategy have been strengthened and updated as a result of feedback from stakeholders.
He said that we all share a responsibility for meeting these challenges. It is incumbent upon us all to preserve and preserve our local environment, as well as our planet for future generations.
This strategy will provide the foundation for a coherent and efficient set of interventions that can achieve real improvements in quality of the environment.
