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Progressive Politics NI

The Mournes - Climate

Toxic mineral extraction should be banned in Northern Ireland
There is a need for modernising our utility and transport infrastructures to support the transition towards a circular economy.
There should be a crackdown on environmentally harmful acts & the strengthening of legislation regarding this
We need an independent Environmental Protection Agency to provide oversight and regulation across the private and public sector
We should reduce CO2 emissions through the promotion of renewable & sustainable methods
We should aim to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2035 through a gradual change to entirely sustainable materials, services and energy generation methods whilst utilising carbon capture & recycle method
The Rights of Nature should be protected via action taken from all levels of government
Petroleum licensing should be banned
The statutory obligation on government in Northern Ireland to support the exploration and extraction of fossil fuels should be removed
A Green New Deal for Northern Ireland needs delivered
There should be a firewall between policymakers and mining / fossil fuel industries
Department for the Economy should release the Hatch Report, commissioned from Hatch Generis on the economic feasibility of natural gas extraction in Northern Ireland
Lough Neagh should be brought into public ownership
Sand dredging in Lough Neagh should be suspended, pending independent scientific analysis and public consultation
The Climate Change Act 2022 needs fully implemented
Rescind the Memorandum of Understanding between the NIEA & UFU, which limits prosecutions and sanctions for pollution incidents by the farming industry.
We should introduce a ban on new fossil fuel infrastructure, investments, and subsidies (onshore and offshore)
We should insulate homes region-wide to green standards, and install heat pumps in each
There should be mandatory divestment of public anchor institutions from the fossil fuel industry
A ban on fossil fuel industry advertising should be introduced
There should be a public inquiry into the relationship between the utility regulator and the energy industry
There should be a public enquiry into the relationship between the NI Environment Agency and NFU
Climate and Ecological emergency declarations should be inserted into mandates of public authorities (ie utility regulator)
Public financial aid should be expanded to cooperative energy, food supply, and housing (including new builds and startups)
Where the planting of trees & other plants occurs, e.g. carbon capture, only native species should be used in order to promote biodiversity & avoid invasive monocultures
We should deliver zero-carbon energy public transport across NI
There should be publicly funded universal retrofitting of private and social housing to align with climate and ecological objectives
A binding Citizens Assembly on Climate and Ecological Justice for the UK, or for Northern Ireland should be introduced
A government commissioned review should be delivered into how NI's formal education system is preparing students for the climate emergency and ecological crisis
The climate emergency and ecological crisis should be included in teacher training, and a new professional teaching qualification created
The priority of environmental sustainability in schools should increase, including green infrastructure, sustainability inspections, and sustainability rankings
A Northern Irish Climate and Biodiversity Emergency Education Act should be developed
There should be a Windfall tax on fossil fuel energy activities (fossil fuel energy companies and private investments therein)
Comments
  • If the MOU is rescinded then we need to examine what it is replaced with. Farmers (and fishermen) are a key contributor to our local and regional economy. They are willing to pay their part in making their contribution to address the climate crisis and need support in that.
  • On question: Toxic mineral extraction should be banned in Northern Ireland - As a party we are against extractivism and the exploitation of the natural resources of the global south in order to enrich wealthier nations and corporations. We would prioritise the reuse of existing materials wherever possible. Where new materials are needed in order to decarbonise as part of a Just Transition to a sustainable and renewable economy, we would push for the strongest environmental standards to ensure minimal harm is caused to people and the ecology of the area.