'Green Building' has been hailed as a way to give local construction a competitive edge, with calls for a £70m investment.

The construction industry has been one of the hardest hit sectors in the north during the recession. But the SDLP say that from "a crisis we must seek opportunity".

The political party say that 'Building Green' could help Northern Ireland out of its construction rut.

According to a statement by the party an attempt to make buildings more efficient is needed.

Whether as new builds, where design, materials and building processes can be combined in an integrated approach, or by the adaptation of older buildings to improve the way they use energy.

Insulating and retrofitting energy efficient technology into homes to reduce heat loss and energy consumption is suggested.

SDLP Deputy Leader and Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone said: "As much as 44% of households in the north are in fuel poverty. This leads to more than 1300 cold weather related deaths every year.

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"We cannot dismiss this as being the problem of individuals. Fuel poverty and related illness cost the NHS in Northern Ireland £45 million in 2005.

"If we make investment in the state of our homes to make them more energy efficient, to make them warmer, to save us on some fuel costs, and keep many people out of hospital - then that investment is a good investment."

Mr McGlone has called for incentives and assistance for investment in green building.

"Such incentives and investments can only improve the efficiency of our buildings, provide jobs and help get the construction sector back in action," he said.

"What government must do is create the right economic circumstances to develop the skills and technologies needed for green building. With incentives to work with methods that reduce the carbon footprint the construction sector can begin to prosper," he added.

The SDLP believe to really make the Green New Deal work the total investment should be increased to around £70 million.

This comes as a new campaign is launched in the hope that the public can become 'energy wise' and save money.

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster today launched the new sustainable energy campaign. The campaign, which includes television adverts, highlights small changes that the public can make to save money.

Insulating lofts, using energy saving light bulbs and switching off appliances when not in use are just some of the ideas being highlighted by the campaign.

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said: "This campaign has a clear message - by controlling the energy we use, we can control what it costs. This has never been more important in the current very challenging financial climate which is impacting on every household in Northern Ireland."

(LB/BMcC)