Build Back Better: How Councils can spark a green post-COVID recovery
Tuesday 19 May 2020
“Never let a good crisis go to waste” said Winston Churchill. As we move from emergency response mode to making plans for post-coronavirus recovery, a wave of new thinking is emerging on how we can do things differently or perhaps more specifically – ‘better, fairer and greener’. The conversation up to now has focused on what central governments can do. But it is just as relevant for local councils.
NI streets littered with 1.3 million bits of rubbish
Friday 28 February 2020
Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, has released a report funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), that demonstrates that litter remains at concerning levels in NI – damaging our forests, parks, beaches and streets. The Litter Composition Report estimates 1,294,164 items are littered on our streets at any one time, weighing approximately 28 tonnes and costing the public purse £45 million annually in Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland Assembly declares a 'climate emergency'
Thursday 27 February 2020
The Northern Ireland Assembly has declared a climate emergency and backed the creation of an independent body to protect the environment. It followed a debate on climate change in the chamber on Monday 27 January 2020. MLAs supported immediate action to cut carbon emissions and called for an independent Environmental Protection Agency to be established within a year.
Councils examine range of options to stop scourge of plastic waste
Wednesday 27 November 2019
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council have joined a list of councils across Northern Ireland to outline their committment to reducing the amount of Single Use Plastics (SUP) across their organisation.
Development of an Energy Strategy for Northern Ireland
Wednesday 25 September 2019
The Department for Economy is developing a new Energy Strategy to replace the existing Strategic Energy Framework. It will include the development of new policy and support for the decarbonisation of our energy mix – in transport, heat and power – through both fuel switching to renewable and lower-carbon fuels and energy efficiency (using less energy to deliver the same output).
Climate Change Adaptation Programme for Northern Ireland
Wednesday 25 September 2019
Northern Ireland’s second Climate Change Adaptation Programme (NICCAP2) was published in September 2019 and it covers the period 2019-2024. The document contains the Northern Ireland Civil Service Departments' response to the risks and opportunities relevant to Northern Ireland, as identified in the UK Climate Change Risk Assessment 2017.
Lay of the Land - RSA Food, Farming and Countryside Northern Ireland Report
Wednesday 25 September 2019
Lay of the Land outlines the need for a transformation in our food and farming system in order to respond to the climate emergency and restore biodiversity, improve the public's health and wellbeing in all communities and develop Northern Ireland's distinctive pattern of farming to play its full part in responding to these challenges, supporting and revitalising rural communities
Causeway Coast and Glens wins Sustainability Category at Local Government Awards
Thursday 11 July 2019
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council was a winner at this year’s Local Government Awards on February 20. The Council picked up the award for Excellence in Environmental Sustainability by a Local Authority for their Live Smart campaign. The Awards are co-ordinated by NILGA and the Association of Public Service Excellence (APSE). This year they attracted 58 entries and showcased brilliance in service provision, new initiatives and the personal commitment from councils, councillors, staff and partners. Runners up in the category included Mid Ulster District Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council.
Sustainable NI, in partnership with NILGA, organised a 'Global Goals, Local Action' roundtable event on 23 November 2018 at Bangor Castle. The event was to raise awareness about the UN Sustainable Development Goals and how they can be implemented at a local level. The event was attended by Elected Members, council officers and public sector representatives along with representatives from the voluntary and private sectors.
Ards and North Down Borough Council could be the first in NI to have seabins
Tuesday 13 November 2018
The Council is looking into the purchase of three seabins to be located around the Ards and North Down coast. Its 110 miles of coastline draws tourism as a result of its waterways, harbours and marinas and this initiative will help in the fight against the eight million pieces of plastic that find their way into oceans daily, making the sea a cleaner and safer place for both residents and local marine wildlife.
