Climate commissioner will provide ‘unique opportunity’ to tackle issue – O’Neill

A climate commissioner for Northern Ireland will provide a “unique opportunity” to tackle the issue, the First Minister has said.

Michelle O’Neill told MLAs that preparatory work is under way to establish the commissioner’s office following the passing of regulations last year.

She said their target of net zero by 2050 is going to be challenging, and that the region is behind other jurisdictions, but said the commissioner is a “unique opportunity to be able to target what can be done”.

Speaking during Assembly questions for the Executive Office, Ms O’Neill said an indicative budget of £3 million, £1 million per annum for three years, to support the operation has been identified.

Alliance MLA Peter McReynolds said extreme heat as a result of climate change is predicted to result in 100 deaths a year in Northern Ireland, while flooding and rain can have devastating consequences.

He also said that Northern Ireland is “producing more CO2 per year per person than China”, and asked if the First Minister shared the view of deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly that a local climate commissioner “would not add any value”.

Ms O’Neill responded: “I think we have a difference of opinion in relation to that, and obviously it is the will of this Assembly that we bring forward the establishment of a climate commissioner.

“I do think the role of the commissioner is going to be really important for us.”

She said weather events that were previously described as “once in a lifetime” are now a very regular occurrence, and that it is “all a direct result of climate change”.

Ms O’Neill added: “We have to play our part and do something about it. So I think the sooner we can get the commissioner in place, working with all the departments, that can work in tandem with everybody and we actually can fulfil our responsibilities around climate change obligations.”

However DUP MLA Phillip Brett queried the move at a time when public services are “under severe strain”, and claimed “similar work is already carried out at UK level and funded by HM Government”.

“Businesses across Northern Ireland are already struggling with rising costs,” he said.

“Climate laws and compliance requirements are not theoretical concerns.

“They are putting many firms under genuine financial pressure and pushing up prices for consumers.

“Responsible environmental policy must be grounded in economic reality and proportionality.

“Symbolic gestures and additional layers of administration will not materially alter the global situation as Northern Ireland accounts for just 0.04% of total world emissions.”