Critics argue rejecting the role is a step in the wrong direction, exacerbating years of an extended period of environmental inaction on the part of a dysfunctional parliament.
Members of the Legislative Assembly [MLAs] have been debating regulations suggested by Northern Ireland’s Executive Office to establish powers to appoint someone to the newly created position.
The DUP, the country’s second largest political party which had held control of government for 50 years until 2024, had already raised concerns about the £1million price tag for the commissioner and supporting staff. Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly has also said she can see ‘no need’ for the job, despite this being stipulated in a ratified 2022 climate change act.
Among other duties, a Climate Change Commissioner will oversee progress on issues like emissions reductions and net zero, nature restoration and pollution. First Minister Michelle O’Neill has hit back, labelling opposition to the reform as ‘illogical’ and emphasising her belief there was a ‘moral duty’ to work towards mitigating climate change.
Robbie Butler, Ulster Unionist MLA, joined in the pushback, stating blocking the introduction of a commissioner would be ‘penny wise and pound foolish’. The job is not something that could be involved in a ‘trade off’ due to the urgency of the crisis.
Northern Ireland’s parliament at Stormont collapsed in February 2022 after the DUP refused to nominate a Deputy First Minister until the so-called Northern Ireland protocol had been scrapped or changed. The scheme was introduced in a bid to overcome Brexit border complications. As a result, there was no functioning government until last year’s election, leaving policymakers hamstrung.
Image: Zhifei Zhou / Unsplash
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