Minister Muir to convene summit on progressing climate action and growing the green economy

Date published: 9 November 2026

In an oral statement to the Assembly coinciding with the first day of the COP31 climate summit in Turkey, Minister Muir said it was clear global warming was occurring and its impacts were already being felt by citizens in Northern Ireland.

With 40% of global annual Greenhouse Gas emissions coming from countries which individually contribute less than 2% to annual totals, the Minister said it was clear Northern Ireland had a part to play in reducing global emissions.

Minister Muir told MLAs: “Global warming is real, it’s here, and it is already being felt by citizens across Northern Ireland - from the storms tearing through public infrastructure, leaving people without power, businesses and houses underwater, to the coastal communities left to wonder if their home will still be there in the years to come. From the wetter winters leaving farmers with flooded fields to the warmer summers bringing animal diseases and also the blue green algae plaguing a warmer Lough Neagh, we ignore these signs at our peril because the costs of inaction will be catastrophic.”

The Minister said Northern Ireland could not afford to lose ground to its competitors and leave future generations to bear the cost of dither, delay and climate denial.

Recognising that many well-known businesses are decarbonising and signing up to Business in the Community’s climate action pledge, the Minister said heel dragging would not deter him from leading Northern Ireland’s response to the climate and biodiversity crisis and pursuing the opportunities presented by a clean, green economy.

“My priority is creating a society that enjoys a low carbon, nature rich future, reaping the advantages of good green jobs and skills in the expanding green sector with improved health and wellbeing,” he said.

“I intend to convene a summit with key stakeholders from across business and civil society to discuss how we can ensure we maximise the opportunity to simultaneously reduce our emissions, restore our natural environment and sustainably grow our economy.”

The Minister vowed to continue to press for the adoption of Northern Ireland’s first Climate Action Plan and he noted a third Climate Change Adaptation Programme was also published earlier this year, focusing on building resilience to protect communities.

Recruitment to the Just Transition Commission is also underway with this important new body on track to be up and running early next year, ensuring a fair and just transition to Net Zero.

The Just Transition Fund for Agriculture is in its second year providing dedicated support for our farmers as society moved towards Net Zero, with DAERA’s multi million pound Sustainable Agriculture Programme (SAP) also providing essential support for agriculture to contribute to Northern Ireland’s statutory Climate Change Act obligations.

Minister Muir also announced his intention to progress a second Climate Action Plan that would “mark a step change in ambition, backed by credible action and clear delivery,” with green energy and sustainable travel playing a significant role, alongside further upscaling of woodland creation and peatlands restoration.