Northern Ireland Environmental Statistics Report released

Date published: 28 May 2020

Topics:

The Northern Ireland Environmental Statistics Report has been published today by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

DARD statistics

This statistical report is produced annually and contains information on a range of environmental indicators in Northern Ireland.  It is available at: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/northern-ireland-environmental-statistics-report

The key points are:

Air & Climate

  • In 2019, the mean nitrogen dioxide level for the ten sites used for Programme for Government (PfG) reporting was 31.4μg/m3. This was 4.2μg/m3 less than the level reported in 2014, a positive change from the baseline year.

Water and Marine

  • In 2019 soluble reactive phosphorus was measured at 93 surveillance rivers across Northern Ireland giving an average concentration of 0.063 mg/l of phosphorus in river water. This was 0.004 mg/l more than the level reported in 2015 and considered to be no change since the baseline year for PfG reporting.
  • In 2019, winter Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen (DIN) was recorded at 35.71 µM.  This is an increase greater than the criteria for change specified when compared to the 2015 baseline level, a negative change for PfG reporting.

Biodiversity

  • In 2019/20, the area of terrestrial protected sites under favourable management in Northern Ireland was recorded as 204.83 km2. This was 202.20 km2 greater than the baseline year for PfG reporting (2015/16), a positive change.
  • In 2019/20, the area of marine protected sites under favourable management in Northern Ireland was recorded as 115.00 km2. This was 31.38 km2 greater than the baseline year for PfG reporting (2015/16), a positive change.

Public Attitudes

  • In 2019/20, the proportion of households very or fairly concerned about the environment was 78 per cent. This was higher than the previous year when 75 per cent of respondents were very or fairly concerned about the environment.
  • Climate change was the biggest environmental concern for households in Northern Ireland in 2019/20.

Further Information

The statistical report containing more detail can be accessed via the DAERA website: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/northern-ireland-environmental-statistics-report

Notes to editors: 

  1. This is the twelve annual Northern Ireland Environmental Statistics Report. Current and previous reports dating back to 2009 can be accessed from the DAERA website.
  2. There are seven main sections in the report which cover Public Attitudes; Climate Change; Air; Water and Marine; Biodiversity and Land; Waste and Built Heritage.
  3. The findings in this report are based on the most recently available data at the time of publication for each indicator, and most provide data on trends over time and, where applicable, performance against quantified targets.  The indicators that were included were determined in agreement with key data providers, policy colleagues and other interested parties.
  4. In 2020 the content of the report was rationalised to concentrate on those statistics that are first released in this report and those statistics that are produced for PfG monitoring.
  5. These statistics are released according to the Statement of Compliance with the Pre-release access to Official Statistics Order (NI) 2009, www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/dard-statistics-charter-and-pre-release-access-statements. National Statistics meet the highest standards of trustworthiness, quality and public value. They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure that they meet customer needs. They are produced free from any political interference.
  6. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer on 028 9037 8110.
  7. Follow DAERA on Twitter and Facebook

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