Sustainable Development and Climate Change

Speech by David Ford winding the debate on Tue 2nd Oct 2007

Motion put forward by Brian Wilson and David Ford (United Community Group):

That this Assembly recognises sustainable development, in general, and climate change, in particular, as central to its considerations in all relevant areas of government, including opportunities to use local economic and technological innovation strategies to place Northern Ireland at the forefront of the emerging green economy in Europe.

David Ford said:

It is difficult to respond to a debate on which there is complete unanimity in the Chamber - with the exception of the East Antrim joker. It is a pleasure to have that measure of agreement, but perhaps I will manage to introduce a bit of controversy as I continue.

In proposing the motion, Brian Wilson highlighted the three challenges with which we are faced: the environmental, economic and energy-security challenges. Those points were taken up in various ways by other Members.

Early in the debate, Stephen Moutray stated the facts about climate change, for the benefit of those who had not heard them. It was notable that Jimmy Spratt was one of the few people who took up the issue of energy security, which comprises the second half of the motion. Although Mr McAllister linked the economy to the environment, let us be clear that South Down is not the most beautiful constituency in Northern Ireland, but one of the 18 most beautiful.

Mr McCarthy: Strangford.

Mr McNarry: That is right.

Mr Donaldson: We could hold a debate on that.

Mr Ford: That response highlights the quality of the environment across the whole of Northern Ireland, which we must protect. The responsibility for that lies at various levels. The Deputy First Minister highlighted the responsibilities that lie with Europe, the sovereign Governments, the Executive, and local district councils. However, as George Savage pointed out, we must ensure that responsibility for sustainability is carried out in partnership across society, particularly among statutory bodies and the voluntary sector. Much of the expertise that we need lies with certain major NGOs (non-governmental organisations). The grass-roots presence of many local community bodies who work on sustainability also contributes to improving the situation for everyone.

On one level, the problem is that people are over­whelmed by the evidence of the need for change, and feel that they can do little. However, it is clear that when the evidence for how change can be achieved is presented, and the indicators are clarified, as Danny Kennedy said, people will see that there is an opportunity to make worthwhile change.

For that reason, we need not only grand, broad-brush vision statements, but focused targets for various sectors of government and business, so that the global sustainability targets can be broken down into meaningful targets. Certain indicators that have been highlighted for energy, waste or biodiversity demonstrate the areas of responsibility in which individuals can and should take action.

Jim Wells remarked that Northern Ireland dwells in a three-planet economy; however, as an individual region, Northern Ireland is part of a four-planet economy - which shows how much needs to be done, despite the sceptical voices that have been raised.

The Deputy First Minister raised the key issue that we do not yet have full information on CO2 emissions. Much more monitoring and assessment must be done, and it is somewhat tragic that a report published by the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister last year was named 'First Steps towards Sustainability'. One would have thought that, by 2006, we would be further down than the line than taking first steps.

Having been so far behind, Northern Ireland has an enormous amount of catching up to do. A point that was made by Daithí McKay that bears repeating: sustainability should be recognised as a key cross-cutting theme in every Department, as well as a primary responsibility for the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister.

Every Department must accept and carry out its responsibilities on sustainable development, and those must feature in the Programme for Government.

The motion was put forward to give the House the opportunity to debate sustainable development and climate change; to make it clear that those issues must be dealt with urgently, and to urge the Executive to ensure that the Programme for Government takes action, rather than to pay lip service to the issues or use a fig leaf to cover them.

The debate emphasised that there are clear potential benefits for the economy if action is taken; particularly, but not exclusively, in energy generation. I believe that that point was made by Jim Shannon during his contri­bution in English, and by Willie Clarke. Some Members believe that the Assembly must play its role as part of the United Kingdom - I notice that that applied to the Deputy First Minister when he referred to the Climate Change Bill - and others wish to see that action taken on an all-Ireland basis. At least, let the House accept that it must be done in both contexts. The Assembly has responsibility for Northern Ireland, but it can form partnerships, North and South and east and west. We should not play border politics with such issues: they affect all of us in different ways.

I want to comment on Alban Maginness's winding-up speech on the amendment, and on the lone voice of scepticism from Sammy Wilson. Climate change is happening. No one denies that - not even the sceptics. Direct correlation between climate change and carbon dioxide production is a fact. There is also a clear correlation between global industrialisation and carbon dioxide production. If Sammy Wilson chooses to read the theories of a tiny minority of people who are not accepted by the reputable academic community, he should not bring such views into the Chamber and try to put them across as serious argument, rather than as cheap nonsense. He is good at doing so, and has excelled himself today.

As I said, there are huge opportunities for Northern Ireland, particularly in the renewable energy sector. The Deputy First Minister highlighted that, although progress has been made, 5% of energy must come from renewable sources. A vast amount of work must be done in order for that to be achieved. It is heartening that the Minister was able to report positive movement in several areas - work that is being done in education; improvements in waste recycling; renewable energy statistics; and reduction in air pollution - all of which are welcome.

The Deputy First Minister has given the Executive's specific commitment to bringing forward a legislative motion on the Climate Change Bill and on Northern Ireland's responsibilities in that regard. That is a key part of tackling the issues. Furthermore, he acknowledged that, for example, statistics on carbon dioxide emissions are not available. Clearly, a vast amount must still be done if people are to play their roles as citizens of the world; whether they regard themselves as citizens of the UK or of Ireland. In the context of sustainable development and climate change, everyone is a citizen of the world.

This week, a constituent of mine is doing a sponsored run around Lough Neagh for a Third-World charity. There is little point in someone taking that level of individual initiative to help those in greater need if our four-planet lifestyles contribute to the difficulties that those people encounter. The Assembly must ensure that action is taken on that.

I welcome the amendment standing in the name of Patsy McGlone and Alban Maginness. It amplifies and clarifies the original thrust of the motion. I trust that not only will there be wholehearted support for the motion and the amendment in the House, but that Members will accept their individual responsibilities as citizens, in the House and in the different Committees, to ensure that the Deputy First Minister's commitments are followed through. Members must ensure that the motion will not simply be one of many no-day-named motions that passes through the House and disappears into a hole, but that it will become a key theme for the Programme for Government and for the work that the Assembly must do in coming years.

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[Hansard]