Minister Andrew Muir joins Scottish and Welsh counterparts at New York Climate Week

Minister Andrew Muir with Gillian Martin and Huw Irranca-Davies in New York
-Credit: (Image: DAERA)


Northern Ireland's environment minister is attending New York Climate Week with his Scottish and Welsh counterparts. Minister Andrew Muir says "climate change is one of my top priorities" and that by working with the other devolved governments can help drive climate action across the UK.

While the three nations face different challenges, we understand they discussed the urgent need to deliver action to ensure a just transition to net-zero and work together towards shared UK goals.

Northern Ireland has been branded a climate 'laggard' in the past. We are emitting almost double the carbon emissions per capita compared to other parts of the UK.

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Emissions in NI are also falling more slowly than other parts of the UK while our environment targets have been described as less ambitious.

While it has now been promised in the Programme for Government, we are still waiting for NI's first carbon budgets and Climate Action Plan, which was supposed to be published in December, while the Environmental Strategy presented to the Executive in March is yet to be approved.

We understand Minister Muir discussed the need to deliver urgent action on climate change when he met Gillian Martin, Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy for the Scottish Government, and Huw Irranca-Davies Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs for the Welsh Government, in New York.

And that they reaffirmed their commitment to sharing knowledge and experience to help each other progress on emissions cuts; create climate resilience and the conditions for real, lasting and fair change across the three nations.

Speaking from Climate Week NYC, where the message is 'It's Time', Minister Muir said: "Attending this key event enables us to put Northern Ireland on the global stage and engage with others about ways to both tackle and grasp the opportunities arising from climate change.

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"During their visit to New York, Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers will be attending a range of events and engagements which will include meeting with Ministers, Heads of State, Governors and business leaders."

Deputy First Minister of the Welsh Government, Huw Irranca-Davies, said: "This needs to be the decade of action. We are showing leadership and commitment by setting our ambitious targets, but it’s time to focus on action and the wider benefits of taking action such as clean air, better homes and places to live and work.

"I am pleased to have the opportunity to showcase Wales's success stories, and to connect with colleagues in Governments across the world to share solutions and work together towards this most important goal."

Minister Muir with his Scottish and Welsh counterparts in New York's Grand Central station
Minister Muir with his Scottish and Welsh counterparts in New York's Grand Central station -Credit:DAERA

Gillian Martin, Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy for the Scottish Government, said: "It is time to move from ambition to action and I am honoured to be here to further build influence of devolved states and regional governments within the international climate debate all whilst having a strong focus on capacity building.

"I believe Devolved Administrations can learn from each other as we accelerate a just transition to net zero. There was a real impetus amongst us all today to continue these conversations ahead of COP29. Scotland has a unique opportunity as Under 2 European co-chair and Regions4 president to continue championing other subnational governments."

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