Monday, January 13, 2025
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Northern Ireland’s first Environment Strategy under consultation

Edwin Poots, Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, has launched a consultation document on Northern Ireland’s first ever overarching Environment Strategy. The Environment Strategy will set out Northern Ireland’s environmental priorities for the coming decades and will form part of the Executive’s Green Growth Delivery Framework. As such, it includes a mix of both existing and new environmental targets/objectives for...

New project supports the resilience of government net zero policies and shows implications of future scenarios for the energy system

The Government Office for Science has launched a new Foresight Project to help inform the government’s long-term net zero strategy. Their new report, titled 'A net zero society - scenarios and pathways', follows the COP26 summit in Glasgow where global leaders convened to outline coordinated action to tackle climate change. Patrick Vallance, the government Chief Scientific Adviser, commented on the announcement:...

Northern Ireland’s Finance Minister calls for VAT exemption on energy bills

Northern Ireland's Finance Minister, Conor Murphy, has called on Treasury to waive the VAT costs on energy bills to help families and businesses struggling with spiralling energy prices. On 11th of November Department of Finance announced that Minister Murphy has written to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury asking that the VAT costs of 5% for domestic users and 20%...

UK funding to support developing cities and regions transition to net zero by 2050

Today the UK government has launched the new Urban Climate Action programme (UCAP) to support the cities and regions in developing countries most impacted by climate change to accelerate their transition to net zero. Backed with £27.5 million of new UK government funding as part of the UK’s International Climate Finance commitment, the programme will support cities across Africa, Asia...

Planning applications will have to show how they help meet Scotland’s net zero targets to get approval under new proposals

Planning applications will have to show how they help meet Scotland’s targets to cut emissions to net zero by 2045 to get approval under new proposals, the Scottish Government has announced. The Framework is set to support developments which contribute to nature restoration, drive population growth in rural Scotland, create more homes to meet local needs and encourage green investment. According...

Environment Bill becomes law

Following multiple delays the Environment Bill has been passed into UK law. The Environment Act is set to halt the decline in species by 2030, require new developments to improve or create habitats for nature and tackle deforestation overseas. According to the UK Government, the Act will help transition to a more circular economy, incentivising people to recycle more, encouraging businesses...

UK confirms pledge for zero-emission HGVs by 2040

The UK will become the first country in the world to commit to phasing out new, non-zero emission heavy goods vehicles weighing 26 tonnes and under by 2035, with all new HGVs sold in the UK to be zero emission by 2040, the government has announced. This comes as new research from Bloomberg New Energy Finance, commissioned by the UK...

Increase to NI Carrier Bag Levy announced

The Carrier Bag Levy charge in Northern Ireland will increase from 5 pence to 25 pence from 1st April 2022, Environment Minister Edwin Poots has announced. The Minister made the announcement during an Oral Statement to the Assembly on Northern Ireland’s first overarching Environment Strategy. In addition to the rise in the Levy, Minister Poots also announced an extension to the...

All four UK health services commit to net zero carbon emissions

All UK health services commit to become net zero and build climate resilience through COP26 Health Programme. This move is happening alongside 47 countries, including the United States and Germany, who are pledging landmark commitments to develop 'climate resilient, sustainable low-carbon health systems.' Each of the four health systems across the UK have already started work on being greener, with more...

Applications open for Natural Environment Investment Readiness Fund

Organisations seeking investment for nature projects to tackle climate change, create and restore habitats, or improve water quality are being urged to apply for the second and final round of the Natural Environment Investment Readiness Fund. The fund of up to £10 million will provide grants of up to £100,000 to environmental groups, local authorities, businesses and other organisations to...