DAERA Minister insists there must be ‘no rolling back on climate action’
Date published:
There can be no rolling back on climate action in the face of record breaking rising global temperatures, DAERA Minister Andrew Muir insisted today.
Minister Muir reaffirmed his commitment to climate action, environmental recovery and stronger all-island cooperation during a keynote address to the Environment Ireland Conference at Croke Park in Dublin today.
In a wide ranging address, the Minister said the pressures facing the environment, including climate change, biodiversity loss and poor air and water quality, demand urgent and sustained action.
He also set out the extent of the progress made in Northern Ireland, including the Environmental Improvement Plan, work on the Nature Recovery Strategy, climate planning and action to improve water quality.
Minister Muir told delegates: “In the week when it was confirmed that summer 2026 was provisionally the hottest on record for the UK & Ireland and the UN Environment Programme warned that global temperatures are set to cross 1.5 degrees Celsius, we must strengthen our resolve. There can be no rolling back.”
The Minister highlighted during his address work on Northern Ireland’s first Environmental Improvement Plan and also told conference delegates that the forthcoming Nature Recovery Strategy would strengthen the commitment to protect and manage 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030.
He pointed to investment through the Sustainable Agriculture Programme and the importance of helping farmers deliver cleaner water, environmental improvements and sustainable food production.
On climate action, Minister Muir said Northern Ireland’s first Climate Action Plan is with ministerial colleagues for approval. Work on the second plan is underway and the Fourth Carbon Budget will be set in due course.
Minister Muir said: “We have no time to waste in the face of the climate emergency. The economic case for action and the opportunities presented by good green jobs are clear. Wishing the problem away or denying its existence will do nothing to secure the future of our economy, society or farming in Northern Ireland.”
The Minister also stressed the importance of science and evidence in tackling the environmental crisis at Lough Neagh and the wider challenges of climate change and nature loss.
He argued: “It is more important than ever that we stand up for science and research to inform decision making, not only on water quality, but on climate change and the environment more broadly. Denial and deflection only delay and magnify the difficult decisions needed to fix the problems before us.”
Minister Muir highlighted the value of cooperation across the island, including joint work on nature recovery, water quality, marine resilience, biodiversity, air quality and climate adaptation.
“Environmental challenges do not recognise borders. By working together, sharing evidence and learning from one another, we can move faster and deliver better outcomes for people, nature and the economy,” Minister Muir added.
“Environmental improvement is not a barrier to prosperity. It is one of the foundations of prosperity. Working together, we can leave future generations a healthier, cleaner and more resilient environment.”
Notes to editors:
- The Met Office announced on 1 September 2026 that Summer 2026 was provisionally the hottest on record for the UK, with a mean temperature of 16.5°C. Met Éireann also stated on 3 September 2026 that Ireland has experienced what was provisionally the hottest summer since records began back in 1900.
- The UN Environment Programme published Limiting Overshoot on 2 September 2026 that identifies an “overshoot, peak and decline” pathway as the best remaining option to minimise the scale and duration of warming above 1.5°C and support a return below that level.
- Follow DAERA on X formerly called Twitter and Facebook.
- All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk or telephone: 028 9016 3460.
- The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours’ service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.