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17 November 2000

SAM FOSTER ENDORSES CLIMATE CHANGE PROGRAMME

Northern Ireland will play a full part in the national programme to meet the threat of climate change Mr Sam Foster, Minister of the Environment, told the Assembly today.

In a written reply to Jim Wilson MLA, the Minister took the opportunity to lay the UK Climate Change Programme before the Assembly. The Rt Hon John Prescott, Deputy Prime Minister, announced the UK Climate Change Programme earlier in the day.

Mr Foster said: "Everyone in Northern Ireland has a role to play in combating climate change. This is a matter that concerns us all and together we can be part of the solution. Measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions can be good for the economy, for businesses and for our community.

" I want to ensure that Northern Ireland makes the most of these opportunities, while improving the quality of life we have now. Equally importantly, we owe it to our children to protect and preserve our world.

 "The UK Climate Change Programme sets out the UK Government's and the devolved administrations' strategic approach to tackling climate change.

"It outlines the measures that Northern Ireland has taken, and will continue to take, to ensure that we make as significant a contribution as possible to cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

"One of the key aims of the Programme is to stimulate a national debate on how the country can respond to the challenges of climate change particularly in relation to the type of energy we will be using in future."

Areas where Northern Ireland will be making a contribution to reduce emissions include the following:

  • More efficient production and use of energy - one of the largest sources of emissions in Northern Ireland is the energy industry and until recently the lack of natural piped gas has been a major factor. The conversion of Northern Ireland's largest power station to gas in 1996 and the arrival of natural gas for both the industrial and domestic sector are expected to make a dramatic impression on emissions;
  • Switching to renewable sources of energy - the results of a reassessment of the potential for renewable energy indicated that a contribution of about 8% of electricity consumption is possible. A study of offshore wind potential is due to be published soon;
  • Planning - the potential effects of climate change are considered and built into all aspects of the planning process so that it is sufficiently responsive to cope with the impacts of climate change as they arise;
  • Transport - the preparation of a ten year Regional Transportation Strategy for Northern Ireland is underway. It will set out the longer term strategy for the delivery of the vision of the Regional Development Strategy to provide a modern, sustainable integrated transport system that facilitates the rapid, efficient, predictable and safe movement of both people and goods;
  • Waste disposal - The Waste Management Strategy for Northern Ireland aims to achieve fully sustainable waste management by reducing the quantities of waste generated and maximising reuse, recycling and recovery of waste;
  • Agriculture and forestry - the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has contributed substantially to the development of willow biomass for renewable energy. Other areas where emissions can be reduced will be determined by the outcomes of the Rural Development Regulation and the review of Northern Ireland forestry policy.

 

NOTES TO EDITORS:

  1. Following the agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions at Kyoto 1997, the UK Government has been working to develop a Climate Change Programme.
  2. The Department of the Environment issued a consultation paper in March 2000. A similar consultation was undertaken simultaneously in England, Scotland and Wales.
  3. A Northern Ireland chapter (together with one for Scotland and Wales) is included in the Programme. Although Northern Ireland produces only about 3% of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions, this chapter confirms Northern Ireland's commitment to supporting the Climate Change Programme and outlines the measures that Northern Ireland has taken, and will continue to take, to ensure that we make as significant a contribution as possible.
  4. The focus is on a wide range of fiscal, regulatory and presentational policies designed to reduce emissions over the next decade.
  5. Key elements of the Programme are:
    • Improve business' use of energy, stimulate investment and cut costs;
    • Stimulate new, more efficient sources of power generation
    • Cut emissions from the transport sector
    • Promote better energy efficiency in the domestic sector, saving householders money
    • Improve the energy efficiency requirements of the Building Regulations;
    • Continue cutting emissions from agriculture;
    • Ensure the public sector takes a leading role;
    • Adapt to the impacts of climate change.
  6. The Programme is to be presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on Friday 17 November to coincide with the sixth Conference of the Parties to the Climate Change Convention, which is being held in the Hague from 13-24 November.
  7. The Minister of the Environment on Friday 17 November has laid it before the Northern Ireland Assembly.
  8. For further information please contact Philip Maguire DOE Press Office Tel 028 9054 0013