Climate change bill reaches Stormont second reading today

Monday, 10 May 2021 08:11

Leader of the Green Party, Claire Bailey, is backing the climate change bill

By Q Radio News

A ground-breaking Climate Change Bill reaches its second stage reading in Stormont today.

It has already received cross party support from Sinn Fein, the SDLP, UUP and Alliance.

The legislation has been drafted by a coalition of lawyers, academics and activists from across Northern Ireland.

A ground-breaking Climate Change Bill reaches its second stage reading in Stormont today. https://t.co/fvLDDZT66G
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) May 10, 2021

Clare Bailey MLA, leader of the Green Party NI, said: “In recent weeks we’ve witnessed fires engulfing the Mournes, another massive pollution incident which obliterated fish stocks in Co. Tyrone and a report documenting the potential for thousands of premature deaths due to air pollution.

“Climate inaction is not an option. The Climate Bill for Northern Ireland opens up the possibility for a fair and just transition to a low carbon and sustainable economy and society which leaves no one behind.”

She added: “The Climate Bill is the first ever piece of climate specific legislation for Northern Ireland, and the second stage of the Bill is another important milestone.

“This Bill is ground-breaking and so has attracted significant interest since it was first drafted. The legislative process to date has included extensive engagement and dialogue on various aspects of the Bill with a range of groups and organisations."

(Claire Bailey has pointed to the fires that raged across the Mournes last month as a symptom of the climate emergency)

“Together with members of the Climate Coalition NI, I've met with groups representing rural communities, environmental groups, farmers as well as the energy, infrastructure and transportation sectors. I look forward to continued consultation as the bill progresses.

“My take on the Bill is clear and consistent in that it is both ambitious and achievable. Ambitious because it needs to be and achievable because it is a governance framework Bill without sectoral specific targets.”