Programme for Government does not include an independent environmental protection agency

First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly
-Credit: (Image: NI Executive)


After seven months in position, the Northern Ireland Executive has finally unveiled its Programme for Government. Whilst there are many challenges facing society we've taken a closer look at their plans to tackle the climate and biodiversity crises that will impact us all.

The 88 pages document includes three missions which are people, planet and prosperity. In terms of planet, the mission is "harnessing the potential of a green growth economy while ensuring we provide an equitable transition to a sustainable and affordable society as we take responsibility for decarbonising our economy and society".

In the opening foreword from the First and deputy First Minister they outline the importance of "protecting our environment and cleaning up our water" and to "continue to grow a globally competitive, sustainable and inclusive economy which benefits everyone". They say they want to focus on high potential sectors like "net zero" and "upgrade our infrastructure, grow our economy, and protect our environment".

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Ms O'Neill and Ms Little-Pengelly's statement goes on to say: "That is why £150 million will be invested in the new Enhanced Investment Zone and we will continue to progress UK Shared Prosperity projects."

They say the Executive also aims to "improve transport infrastructure" and increase active and sustainable travel and "deliver an ambitious programme decarbonising all housing stock in NI, includes reducing carbon emissions in existing and new homes... while supporting various initiatives for energy efficiency and affordability.

"We will introduce fresh thinking and new ideas that deliver the high-quality public services you deserve and pursue opportunities to improve and grow our public infrastructure, such as water services and planning."

The NI Executive committee
The NI Executive committee -Credit:NI Executive

Immediate priority areas linked to climate and the environment:

Grow a Globally Competitive and Sustainable Economy

This section outlines a push for "healthier and greener lives" by creating an economy which addresses decarbonisation among four challenges. They said the Exec's proposed Green Growth strategy will provide the framework for tackling the transition to a greener, sustainable future with an expanded green sector.

This includes self sufficiency in NI's own clean and affordable energy including wind, biomethane, geothermal - and to become a net exporter of renewables. They are to invest £15m in the Energy and Resource Efficiency Support Scheme to help businesses reduce energy costs and £75m via the Invest to Save Fund into the public sector’s transition to net zero.

They also vowed to publish a Circular Economy Strategy with three key principles of designing out waste, keeping products in circulation at their highest value for as long as possible and regenerating natural systems.

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Provide More Social, Affordable and Sustainable Housing

The goal of 2,500 new social homes a year has not been met while over 47,000 wait on the housing waiting, 35,000 of whom are in housing stress. The Executive says it wants to develop new funding models to deliver, ensuring planning and NI Water can support the delivery of sustainable and inclusive spaces.

They said they will seek Treasury agreement to borrow to allow the Housing Executive to increase investment in homes, increase energy efficiency and build new supply.

In terms of retrofitting existing homes, they said: "We will facilitate the retrofitting of existing housing stock through sustainable funding and partnership models to help meet the net zero 2050 target.

Protecting Lough Neagh and the Environment

The Executive outlined how it "must deal with the significant amount of pollution getting into the Lough by targeting interventions at the areas that will have the most impact". This includes work to develop an "Interagency Monitoring Protocol to clarify what monitoring will be carried out" in response to future algal blooms. The document includes no mention of an independent environmental protection agency.

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Their proposed action on this priority is to publish the long-awaited Environmental Improvement Plan that has been with the Executive since March, saying it will include a "range of commitments to improve our natural environment". They add that this, coupled with other strategies will "provide a coherent... response to... biodiversity loss and climate change."

They also vow to set NI's first carbon budgets and Climate Action Plan, which was supposed to be published in December 2023. This, they say will "recognise the need to ensure that reaching net zero has to be affordable for households and businesses, providing a commitment to supporting the cost of this transition in a fair and balanced way".

"Greater energy independence and better-insulated homes will mean lower energy bills for everyone, including young families and our older people struggling with the cost of living."

Reform and Transformation of Public Services

This priority includes the admission "our public infrastructure has deteriorated and needs to be properly maintained". They say additional funding for wastewater will increase the ability to build homes, enhance the economy and deliver improved environmental outcomes.

Proposed actions include continuing to explore options to deliver efficiencies, sustainability and enhance borrowing powers. They also said they will set up a new Reform and Transformation Unit at the heart of of government and the focus needs to be what they do, why and how as well as being "held to account for the results". It will include a Public Sector Transformation Board, through which £235m will be invested from a new Transformation Fund.

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In Building New Foundations for NI, the Executive also said they will "revitalise the Northern Ireland Housing Executive so that it can invest in its homes" and implement a planning improvement programme to ensure it works for businesses, people and the environment. They also said they will train and equip staff better to make smarter, greener spending decision to save public money and help protect the natural environment.

In terms of transport, the plan is to improve the road network and take statutory decisions on the Western Transport Corridor and publishing a Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan. They also plan to work with the Irish Government to develop rail networks and will consider the recommendations All-Island Rail Review, which include electrifying the fleet, strengthening Belfast-Dublin services and creating new services between Belfast and the Northwest, via Portadown and Omagh. Route development to airports was also mentioned.

"We are committed to investing £26 billion of public funding in the next decade. More detail on this will be provided in the upcoming Investment Strategy."

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The PfG also outlines plans for a consultation on Living with Water in Derry. The Belfast plan, which has already been signed off by the Executive, has been put on hold because of increased costs since it was passed. They also said they will review the energy strategy next year to bring a renewed focus on affordable renewables and that they will establish a Just Transition Commission, which follows the Climate Act.

A change to Electricity Grid Connection Charging policy is also planned, lowering a barrier to connection for renewables and other low-carbon technologies such as electric vehicle charging. They said that through the development of a Net Zero Accelerator Fund, they will make NI more attractive for net zero investment and help cut greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Climate Change Act 2022.

Speaking as the consultation was launched of the Executive's Programme for Government, First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: "We must invest in and improve our public services, protect our environment, create jobs and grow a sustainable economy that works for everyone."

Deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly added: "Over the course of the next eight weeks, we intend on engaging with as many people as possible, so they can help shape this plan and ensure we deliver on the issues which matter most."

A public consultation begins on Monday 9 September and runs for eight weeks. Click here to have your say.

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