Skip to main content
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Comhshaoil agus Gnóthaí Tuaithe Depairtment o' Fairmin, Environment an' Kintra Matthers

Main navigation

  • Home
  • Topics
  • Publications
  • Consultations
  • Contact

Translation help

Translate this page

Select a language

  • Arabic — عربي
  • Chinese (Simplified) — 中文简体
  • Chinese (Traditional) — 中文繁體
  • Dutch — Nederlands
  • Filipino — Filipino
  • French — Français
  • German — Deutsch
  • Hungarian — Magyar
  • Irish — Gaeilge
  • Italian — Italiano
  • Latvian — Latviešu
  • Lithuanian — Lietuvių kalba
  • Polish — Polski
  • Portuguese — Português
  • Romanian — Română
  • Russian — Русский
  • Slovak — Slovenčina
  • Spanish — Español
  • Ukrainian — Українська
  • Actions to Protect our Environment

    What we can do together to protect our environment including the Environmental Improvement Plan

    contents

    Climate Change and Green Growth

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

    • The Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 - Key elements
    • A Green Growth Strategy for Northern Ireland - Balancing our climate, environment and economy
    • Northern Ireland Climate Change Adaptation Programme

    Air and environmental issues

    • Air Pollution in Northern Ireland
    • Air Pollution and Smoke Control
    • Air Quality Monitoring, Policy and Legislation

    Chemicals and industrial pollution policy issues

    • The REACH Regulation
    • Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases and Ozone Depleting Substances
    • The Industrial Emissions Directive and the Pollution Prevention and Control (Industrial Emissions) Regulations

    Local Environmental Issues

    Local Environmental Issues

    • Noise
    • Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside
    • High hedges

    Effects of air pollution on natural ecosystems

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

    • Effects of air pollution on natural ecosystems: science and evidence publications
    • UK Air Pollution Assessment System (APAS)* – an integrated air quality assessment tool

    COMAH Public Information Northern Ireland

    Information about COMAH sites in Northern Ireland

    Reducing Unnecessary Single Use Plastics in NICS Government Estate

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

    Information Events on the Proposed Nutrients Action Programme for 2026-2029

    The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has launched a Public Consultation following the fourth review of the Nutrients Action Programme. The consultation is seeking views on proposals for the Nutrients Action Programme for 2026-2029.

    Northern Ireland carrier bag levy statistics

    The Northern Ireland carrier bag levy statistics are updated annually.

    Eight-toothed spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus)

    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.

    Freshwater Monitoring and Assessment

    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.

    Appointment of a Northern Ireland Non-Executive Member to the Office for Environmental Protection

    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.

    Related to Actions to Protect our Environment

    Most recent publications

    • Northern Ireland carbon intensity indicators 2025

      Published 9 December 2025
    • Noise complaint statistics for Northern Ireland 2024 to 2025

      Published 26 November 2025
    See all publications in this topic

    Most recent consultations

    • Public Consultation on draft Industry Noise Action Plan – Round 4

      Published 3 July 2025 Consultation closed
    • Public Consultation on the proposed Nutrients Action Programme for 2026 - 2029

      Published 1 May 2025 Consultation closed
    See all consultations in this topic

    Most recent news items

    • Noise Complaint Statistics 2024/25 report released

      Published 26 November 2025
    • Air Pollution in Northern Ireland 2024 report released

      Published 13 November 2025
    See all news in this topic

    Access to information

    How to request information from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs including Freedom of Information (FOI), Environmental Information Regulations (EIRs) and the use of our Publication Scheme.

    Share this page Share on Facebook (external link opens in a new window / tab) Share on X (external link opens in a new window / tab) Share by email (external link opens in a new window / tab)

    Department footer links

    • Crown copyright
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy
    • Cookies
    • Accessibility
    • The Northern Ireland Executive
    • The Executive Office
    • Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
    • Department for Communities
    • Department for Education
    • Department for the Economy
    • Department of Finance
    • Department for Infrastructure
    • Department for Health
    • Department of Justice
    • nidirect.gov.uk — the official government website for Northern Ireland citizens