Report launched to help cross border collaboration for environmental organisations in Louth

A new report produced by the Irish Environmental Network (IEN), Northern Ireland Environment Link (NIEL) and Environmental Justice Network Ireland (EJNI) sets out a series of recommendations to help greater collaboration between environmental NGOs across the island of Ireland.

According to the report, cross-border collaboration, funding, and greater use of the Good Friday Agreement are key to protecting Ireland’s environment north and south of the border. The report, “Linking the Irish Environment”, was launched at an event in Ormeau Baths, Belfast on Wednesday, 21st June.

The event highlighted how the risk of diverging environmental policies and regulations on the island of Ireland could have a detrimental impact on our shared landscapes, waterways, and flora and fauna. According to the report, divergence is also likely to make it increasingly difficult for environment NGOs in Louth and across the island of Ireland to operate and collaborate.

The report highlighted key actions to mitigate these challenges:

• A joint political or legal environment commitment between the Irish and UK governments (in the absence of a devolved government in Northern Ireland);
• Greater utilisation of the Good Friday Agreement to ensure cross-border collaboration, including the establishment of an all-island civic forum on environmental matters; and
• Greater funding and resources for NGOs in the environment sector north and south.

The Irish Environmental Network (IEN) is the umbrella network for national Environmental Non-Government Organisations (ENGOs) in the Republic of Ireland. It is made up of over 30 national ENGOs that work both individually and jointly to protect and enhance the environment, and to place environmental issues centre stage in Ireland and internationally. The IEN represents and supports national ENGOs, through capacity building, funding support and advocacy work.

Speaking at the report launch, Aoife Ní Lochlainn, Policy Manager at the IEN, said: “We are living in the midst of a climate and biodiversity crisis, and it is important to highlight that the natural world knows no borders – the island of Ireland shares one environment.

"NGOs including those in Louth working to protect the environment have been collaborating and working together the past number of years to ensure a collective approach in our efforts to protect the environment and implement high standards of environmental governance and protection.”

The Environmental Justice Network Ireland was launched in June 2019 as a platform for collaborative working between academics, representatives of civil society and environmental NGOs with the goal of addressing the root causes of social and environmental justice deficits which exist across the island of Ireland.

EJNI is delivering its goal through an innovative, transdisciplinary model of collaboration which draws together diverse stakeholders and decision-makers who usually operate in almost completely separate spheres to enhance knowledge exchange and facilitate more effective and strategic research, advocacy and action by linking developments at domestic level to EU and international legal and policy processes.

Dr Ciara Brennan, Environment Justice Network Ireland who lead the research report, said; “The report captures the difficulties faced by organisations working across the border in carrying out our operations, and in itself is a practical example of the all-island collaboration that needs to continue and increase to tackle shared environmental challenges. 

"This report will serve as an important roadmap to increase cooperation across the island of Ireland and we are calling on the government in Ireland and the UK government, in the absence of a government in Northern Ireland, to take action to support the vital work of environmental NGOs and civil society working together to respond to environmental degradation which impacts everyone on this island.” 

Northern Ireland Environment Link (NIEL) is the networking and forum body for organisations interested in the natural and built environment of Northern Ireland. Its 70 Full Members represent 190,000 individuals, have an annual turnover of £70 million and manage over 314,000 acres of land.

NIEL members are involved in environmental issues of all types and at all levels from the local community to the global environment. NIEL brings together a wide range of knowledge, experience and expertise which can be used to help develop policy, practice and implementation across a wide range of environmental fields.

Speaking at the report launch was Sean Kelly, Interim CEO NIEL, who added: “NGOs like the IEN and NIEL understand what needs to be done to protect our shared environment, but we need support to be able to continue to operate and collaborate across the border.

"Today’s report has identified clear recommendations, including maximising the mechanisms of the Good Friday Agreement to explore how we can cement cross-border collaboration; and involving civil society in finding solutions to our shared problems. We know how to meet the environmental challenges ahead, but progress will only be made through cross-border collaboration and a willingness to support this collaboration at all levels.”

The report is available to be downloaded here