Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots MLA has chaired a meeting of the Green Growth Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG).
The meeting, held virtually, was attended by senior officials from the Department for Communities, the Department of Finance and the Department for the Economy.
Speaking following the meeting, Minister Poots said: “My Department has been leading on the development of the NI Executive’s draft Green Growth Strategy and the Green Growth Inter-Ministerial Group has an important role to play in helping to achieve the commitments as set out in the Strategy. I am pleased that my Ministerial colleagues recognise the exciting opportunities that Green Growth brings and continue to support the roll out of this important piece of work.
“I am also delighted to say that significant progress has been made since our first IMG meeting last year, with the Executive agreeing the draft strategy in October prior to COP26 and the subsequent public consultation now completed. Although, I have some reservations that the Assembly has not fully followed the best available advice and science in regards to their setting of the targets within my Climate Change Bill, I am pleased that Members have voted through the Bill, which now awaits Royal Assent. This Bill will not only have implications for the Green Growth Strategy but also the associated action plan.”
The meeting also heard from representatives from local businesses Stream BioEnergy, Wrightbus, NI Water and Tracey Brothers Ltd., who are delivering low-carbon solutions, environmental improvements and green jobs for the sectors with the greatest carbon emissions, agriculture, transport and buildings.
Commenting, Minister Poots said: “Green Growth means using the move from a high to a low greenhouse gas emissions society to improve people’s quality of life through green jobs and a clean environment. COP26 highlighted to the world the need for immediate and co-ordinated action to address climate change and we need to capitalise on the momentum it has generated.
“We cannot do this alone. I very much welcome the work being done by organisations such as Stream BioEnergy, Wrightbus, NI Water and Tracey Brothers, who are delivering low-carbon solutions and green jobs for their respective sectors. In addition, each organisation also demonstrates solutions in those areas where the Climate Change Committee have advised the greatest gains can be made and where investment should be focussed - low-carbon power capacity, retro-fitting of housing and electric vehicle infrastructure.
“Whilst decarbonising our economy may be seen by some as carrying risks, it will generate many opportunities and Northern Ireland is particularly well placed to avail of them. Through innovation, research and development and investment we can lay the foundations for a green revolution, the next industrial revolution which can rejuvenate our economy following the Covid-19 crisis.”
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