Stormont minister reaffirms climate action following record hot summerAndrew Muir told a conference in Dublin there can be ‘no rolling back’ on action on the climate.Andrew Muir has reaffirmed his commitment to climate action after a record hot summer (Liam McBurney/PA)PA ArchiveRebecca Black2 minutes ago
A Stormont minister has reaffirmed his commitment to climate action after a summer of record high temperatures.
Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir warned there can be “no rolling back” on climate action during an address in Dublin.
It comes after a summer which is believed to have been the hottest on record in both the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
During the event Mr Muir reaffirmed his commitment to climate action, environmental recovery and stronger all-island co-operation.
He said the pressures facing the environment, including climate change, biodiversity loss and poor air and water quality, demand urgent and sustained action.
“In the week when it was confirmed that summer 2026 was provisionally the hottest on record for the UK and Ireland and the UN Environment Programme warned that global temperatures are set to cross 1.5C, we must strengthen our resolve,” he said.
“There can be no rolling back.”
He also detailed action in Northern Ireland, including work on the Nature Recovery Strategy, climate planning, action to improve water quality and the region’s first Environmental Improvement Plan.
He further said that the forthcoming Nature Recovery Strategy would strengthen the commitment to protect and manage 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030.
Turning to climate action, Mr Muir said Northern Ireland’s first Climate Action Plan is with the Stormont Executive for approval, while work on the second plan is under way and the Fourth Carbon Budget will be set in due course.
“We have no time to waste in the face of the climate emergency,” he said.
Blue-green algae at Battery Harbour on Lough Neagh near Cookstown in Co Tyrone in August 2025 (Niall Carson/PA)PA Archive
“The economic case for action and the opportunities presented by good green jobs are clear. Wishing the problem away or denying its existence will do nothing to secure the future of our economy, society or farming in Northern Ireland.”
In terms of the ongoing environmental crisis at Lough Neagh and the wider challenges of climate change and nature loss, Mr Muir stressed the value of science.
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“It is more important than ever that we stand up for science and research to inform decision-making, not only on water quality, but on climate change and the environment more broadly,” he said.
“Denial and deflection only delay and magnify the difficult decisions needed to fix the problems before us.”
Meanwhile, Mr Muir hailed the value of co-operation across the island, including joint work on nature recovery, water quality, marine resilience, biodiversity, air quality and climate adaptation.
“Environmental challenges do not recognise borders. By working together, sharing evidence and learning from one another, we can move faster and deliver better outcomes for people, nature and the economy,” he said.
“Environmental improvement is not a barrier to prosperity. It is one of the foundations of prosperity.
“Working together, we can leave future generations a healthier, cleaner and more resilient environment.”
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