Question Time: Environment 20 January 2015
What steps
will the Department of the Environment be taking to tackle the threat of
climate change? Fearghal McKinney was keen to find out what preparations Minister
Mark Durkan is taking to tackle the problem during today’s Question
Time. Mr Durkan assured that “I am fully committed to working across
government and with all sectors of our society to agree on measures that can
help to address current and future climate change.” The cross-departmental working
group on climate change (chaired by the Minister himself) is carrying out key
actions such as “continuing to develop and implement the EU emissions trading
scheme and the carbon reduction commitment, which aim to significantly reduce
greenhouse gas emissions from the organisations that use most energy; introducing
waste policies and strategies and providing support to local authorities to
help to achieve much higher recycling rates, which will reduce emissions from
landfill sites; changes to planning policy to ensure that planning decisions
take account of climate change impacts before any development is approved; and
the use of voluntary prosperity agreements with strategic organisations that
explore novel ways to work together to deliver economic and environmental
benefits.”
Dominic
Bradley also enquired about the latest developments on the transfer of planning
to local government. The programme is on track for completion on 1 April 2015.
Consultations, advice, training and guidance are nearing completion and the Department
has taken steps to ensure that the necessary systems and structures are in
place for the successful transfer of planning functions. There is still work to
be done but the Department is working closely with the local government sector
to do everything possible to ensure a smooth transition.
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