Northern Ireland’s Environment Minister, Andrew Muir, yesterday set out plans for improving the natural environment to ISEP members at a private roundtable. Ben Goodwin, ISEP’s Director of Policy and Public Affairs, reflects on some of the key points from the discussion.
Following lengthy delays, Northern Ireland’s Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) was approved in late September.
The EIP puts forward six strategic objectives:
Excellent air, water and land quality;
A healthy and accessible environment and landscapes everyone can connect with and enjoy;
Thriving, resilient and connected nature and wildlife;
Sustainable production and consumption on land and at sea;
Zero waste and a highly developed circular economy, and
Net zero greenhouse gas emissions and improved climate resilience and adaptability
The Minister referred to the six objectives in his opening remarks at the roundtable and in doing so placed an emphasis on the need for enhancement across the board.
He confirmed that his department 'Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs' (DAERA) will publish its first progress report in January 2026, with a framework for measuring impact and success to be developed next year.
Key to the success of the EIP will be its integration with other policy initiatives and goals. It was therefore reassuring to hear that the EIP is being linked closely with Northern Ireland’s strategy for green growth and its climate policy, alongside international frameworks, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
A variety of contributions from ISEP members (and others gathered for the discussions) followed the Minister’s opening remarks. These included an intervention on the need to get the planning system moving for clean energy and transport projects that will improve air quality and reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
Other contributions focused on the strengths of the EIP in linking the health of the environment with that of people, with a view also expressed that the plan has been sensibly developed with a real cross-sectoral focus.
There was a call for clarity around the relationship of the EIP and the waste management strategy that is due to emerge from government shortly. Discussion also explored the need to get the wider governance architecture that sits around the EIP right, including the role of the Office for Environmental Protection.
Insights from the challenges with the implementation of England’s EIP, particularly those that have been experienced in relation to business engagement, were also a key takeaway. Indeed, businesses in England have remarked on the abstract nature of the EIP and perceived difficulties in its practical implementation.
ISEP will continue to engage with DAERA in 2025 on EIP delivery and other relevant policy areas.
This was the second roundtable session that ISEP has hosted with one of the devolved administrations during 2024. The other was a session with the Deputy First Minister of Wales (and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs), Huw Irranca Davies MS, to discuss the implementation of the Environment Act in Wales.
We’ll be looking to engage in further non-Westminster related public affairs activity in 2025. Do get in touch at policy@iema.net if you would like to know more.
Ben is Director of Policy and Public Affairs at ISEP. In this capacity he looks after the delivery of ISEP's core policy, practice and public affairs activities across a range of environmental and sustainability issues. Prior to joining the organisation Ben worked in several similar policy roles at organisations including the Institution of Civil Engineers and the Renewable Energy Association.
