Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Leading way on change
FIRST and deputy first ministers Paul Given and Michelle O’neill shared a podium with Taoiseach Micheal Martin at a business climate event at W5 yesterday.
Led by Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Chambers Ireland, it saw people from across the business community come together to talk about “an all-island approach to net zero”.
Mr Givan told the audience “we must all power change together” but said little about his colleague’s Bill, which aims for an 82% reduction.
At home though, it appears he hears plenty about his environmental responsibilities, which is great. He said: “I have three daughters and they regularly will challenge me – why are you putting it into that bin? Why are you letting the tap run? Why are the lights on in the house? And their granny and granda all get challenged in the same way. The next generation will help change the attitudes of the current generation.”
Ms O’neill added: “We need to continue to learn from each other and challenge each other... but also to inspire each other.
“For our part we need to encourage, we need to support and we need to incentivise more sustainable practices. We need to set ambitious zero emissions targets and take the action needed to achieve them.
“As we recover from the pandemic we have a real chance to do differently. We have a real opportunity to be more dynamic and innovative and build a fair and greener economy and society. That’s my priority.”
Mr Martin, who earlier this week unveiled a very environmentally ambitious National Development Plan for Ireland, said: “The impact of climate change will be felt by every individual, household, business and community on this island.
“It is no longer something that can be assigned to some distant future. The next 10 years are vital... if we are to ensure a safe and bright future for us all.”
“To be fully effective we need joined up policy approaches and co-ordinated investment on a cross-border basis.”
He added the stability of the institutions, the North South Ministerial Council and the NI Protocol are fundamental to helping deliver that.