This consultation is open for 12 weeks, from 7th February until 2nd May 2025.Mark H Durkan MLA is developing a proposal for a Member's Bill to improve environmental governance in Northern Ireland. The key aims of the Environment and Nature Restoration Bill include:
- Establish a framework for legally binding environmental targets for air, water and soil quality, and biodiversity, set at 5 year increments to deliver long-term environmental outcomes.
- Enhance environmental governance through the expansion of environmental principles to include (a) the principle of non-regression of environmental standards, and (b) the principle of prevention of transboundary harm.
The case for this legislation
We are in a nature and climate crisis. Globally wildlife populations have plummeted by 68% since 1970 and habitats are being destroyed at an alarming rate. In the UK, the State of Nature reports evidence that 41% species in decline since 1970. In Northern Ireland, we are languishing in 229th place out of 240 countries for the amount of nature it has left 97% wildflower meadows have disappeared, only 1 of 21 lakes are in good quality, and 12% (c.300) species found in NI at risk of extinction from the island of Ireland. The need to protect, restore and enhance our wildlife and natural environment is clear.
It is not just nature that is suffering. There is increasing evidence of the link between the environment and public health. This includes obvious connections – for example air pollution is linked to over 900 premature deaths a year in Northern Ireland – but also less obvious connections such as mental wellbeing. Yet the health impacts go far wider, with air pollution impacting on childhood lungs leading to asthma, it causes asthma attacks and COPD exacerbations for people with those conditions. It can also impact on diabetes, mental health, dementia, and many other health conditions.
The Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 focuses primarily on the reduction of greenhouse gases with the primary goal of reachingnet zero target by 2050. The Environment and Nature Restoration Bill on the other hand will focus on the establishment of legally binding environmental targets including air, water and soil quality.
The proposed Bill seeks to make Northern Ireland a leader in the movement to protect restore and enhance the natural environment.Mark H Durkan MLA is working in partnership with the RSPB and Asthma and Lung UK Northern Ireland to propose this vital bill.
If you have any queries or further comments, please feel free to email Mark's office on markh.durkan@mla.niassembly.gov.uk
Your opinion can help shape the final proposal.
References:WWF (2020) Living Planet Report 2020State of Nature 2019 Report The Prime Minister’s 30/30 pledge – why promise to save nature in NI must be backed up by action NI WFD Lake Quality Update, 2020State of Nature 2023 Report – Northern Ireland
