Actions to Protect our Environment

On 6 November 2025 the NI Executive approved the NI Environmental Principles Policy Statement (EPPS). Subsequently, the draft EPPS was laid at the Assembly on 20 November and was subject to the 21 sitting day scrutiny process. The 21-day scrutiny period for the NI EPPS ended on 2 March 2026.

Climate Change and Green Growth are top priorities for the Minister.

Local Environmental Issues

As well as having effects on human health, air pollution can also be harmful to our natural environment.

Information about COMAH sites in Northern Ireland

DAERA announce plan to reduce unnecessary plastic within the NICS government estate.

The Northern Ireland carrier bag levy statistics are updated annually.

Ips typographus commonly known as Eight-toothed spruce bark beetle or the European spruce bark beetle, large spruce bark beetle and larger eight-toothed spruce bark beetle, is a serious and destructive pest of spruce tree species.

The Water Science and Evidence group (WSE) promotes the conservation of the water resources of Northern Ireland and the cleanliness of water in waterways and underground whilst taking into account the needs of industry and agriculture, the protection of fisheries, the protection of public health, the preservation of amenities, and the conservation of flora and fauna.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is seeking to appoint a Non-Executive Member to the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP). The OEP will be established as an independent Non Departmental Public Body by the provisions of the Environment Bill to provide an environmental oversight function. Its broad roles will be to: provide independent scrutiny and advice on the development and implementation of environmental law and policy; investigate environmental complaints from members of the public; and oversee the delivery of environmental law by public authorities, taking steps to bring about compliance where needed. The headquarters of the OEP are located in Worcester. A hybrid working system of meetings in Worcester, alternating with online meetings, is in operation.

In 2022, DAERA awarded a 6-year contract to deliver the 4th NI Countryside Survey to the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH).

Over the past two years, Omagh Anglers Association (OAA) has led a number of projects to improve habitat and water quality in the local area, thanks to funding from the Carrier Bag Levy. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Water Quality Improvement Strand (WQIS) grant was used, in addition to club membership fees.

People in the Burndennett Valley have been able to learn more about the role they play in improving water quality, and potential threats to the health of local waterways, thanks to a Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) grant funded through the Carrier Bag Levy. The Water Quality Improvement Strand (WQIS), an annual grant for not-for-profit organisations to raise awareness of issues impacting on the water environment and encourage behavioural change to help improve local water quality, is delivered by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).

The community around the Torrent River is working to improve their environment and local water quality through education and activities such as litter picking, with volunteers playing an important role. The project, led by The Speedwell Trust, is supported by a Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) grant via the Water Quality Improvement Strand (WQIS), delivered by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).

The Water Pollution Response and Enforcement Team of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency plays the lead role in addressing incidents of water pollution. The team is on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including Christmas Day, and it is important for all members of the public to report incidents promptly so that NIEA can take appropriate action.

Find out what you can do to help prevent water pollution.

Septic tanks can play a role in causing water pollution. It’s important for householders to know where their septic tank is, and to ensure it’s working properly to prevent this from happening.

Groundwater is an important, but often overlooked, part of our water cycle but it is a valuable resource that has many uses across our economy and society. The Northern Ireland Environment Agency is calling for people to become part of its Groundwater Monitoring Network to help better understand the health of Northern Ireland’s groundwater, as well as how it can be protected.

Did you know that if your household drains are not properly connected, you could be causing water pollution and damaging the environment?

A team of expert scientists from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency’s (NIEA) Freshwater Investigations (FI) team works with colleagues in the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), playing an important role in the monitoring of blue-green algae blooms in Lough Neagh.

Invasive species are one of the five top reasons for biodiversity loss, as identified by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). They can negatively impact on native species, can transform habitats and threaten whole ecosystems, causing serious problems to the environment and economy.

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency is reminding householders to check that their oil tanks are in a good state of repair before ordering home heating oil. This will help you to protect the environment and reduce the risk of a spillage as it can be costly when things go wrong, particularly if you have to pay for clean up.

Every year, hundreds of oil spills from boats pollute our waterways – harming wildlife, damaging plants and disrupting fish spawning. The Northern Ireland Environment Agency has some advice for boatowners to help promote better oil care and prevent pollution entering our water environment. 

Spring and summer bring warmer weather which can have a knock-on impact on domestic oil tanks. The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) has some helpful advice for householders to help ensure your oil tank is in a good state of repair. This will not only help to protect the environment and reduce the risk of a spillage, but potentially save householders from some hefty expense as clean-up costs can be considerable if something goes wrong, particularly if you have to pay for the clean-up.

Find out how to look after your Private Sewage Treatment System to keep it working properly and prevent it from causing water pollution.

Whales, dolphins and porpoises are entirely aquatic although they must come to the surface to breathe air through their lungs. These animals do not strand under normal circumstances, therefore, if present on the shore they will likely require assistance especially if still alive.

Marine animals such as sharks or marine turtles spend all of their lives at sea, with marine turtles surfacing to breathe air. Marine turtles haul out onto land to lay eggs but not in UK/Irish waters.

Two species of seal inhabit the coast and seas around Northern Ireland. The harbour seal is smaller, has a dog-like face and prefers more sheltered habitats. The grey seal is larger, has a longer head and is more often seen in exposed areas.

Within the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) a number of specialist teams are working with colleagues from across DAERA and others to improve Northern Ireland’s water quality. Find out more about what they do and how we all have a role to play through our everyday actions.

Consultation