DAERA Minister Andrew Muir is seeking agreement for the establishment of an independent Environmental Protection Agency in Northern Ireland following publication of expert independent panel report.
Permanent Secretary at the Department for the Economy, Ian Snowden, has commented on the 2024–25 Group Annual Report and Accounts, which were laid in the Assembly today.
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding with the US Semiquincentennial Commission at the Ulster American Folk Park.
The document was signed by Minister Gordon Lyons and America250 Commissioner Joe Crowley and will ensure that Northern Ireland is the first nation to receive special status in recognition of its unique contribution to the foundation of the United States of America.
Ahead of the COP30 climate summit in Brazil, Green MPs have written to Keir Starmer calling on him to ensure that polluters rather than the poorest in communities pay for climate action [1]. They also call on the UK government to reject a licence for the giant Rosebank oilfield and refuse development consent for oil and gas projects that have already been licensed.
Green MP, Ellie Chowns, leader of the parliamentary group of MPs in the House of Commons, said:
“Whilst we welcome the fact Keir Starmer will attend COP30 in Brazil, it will come to nothing unless he uses his voice and the UK’s political influence to ensure an ambitious outcome that will help the world avoid the most catastrophic climate impacts.
“COP30 is taking place against a backdrop of continued financial support from governments for the fossil fuel industry. This includes an estimated £17.5 billion every year here in the UK – £2.7 billion of which is tax breaks for fossil fuel production.
“Efforts to tackle the climate crisis will be undermined if the poorest in communities feel they are left to foot the bill for climate action. Those responsible for wrecking our planet must bear the costs of fixing it or cleaning it up. That’s why we urge the prime minister to push for a Climate Damages Tax at COP – a “polluters pay” tax on the extraction of fossil fuels.
“The government must also show true climate leadership back home by refusing permission for the giant Rosebank oilfield, which would create more emissions than the combined annual CO2 emissions of all 28 low-income countries in the world – the very countries that are bearing the brunt of climate breakdown.”
Chowns went on to say:
“The UN Secretary General has called the fossil fuel companies the “godfathers of climate chaos”. By fuelling the climate crisis, they are imperilling our security and stability – threatening food supplies and impacting our health and wellbeing. Fossil fuel companies are profiteering off climate breakdown, and it is time they are made to pay.”
ENDS
Notes
Projects which offer vital support to victims of domestic and sexual abuse have received funding from the Departments of Justice and Health.