Environment Minister Alex Attwood has welcomed the decrease in greenhouse gas emissions in Northern Ireland.

Emissions fell by over 5% in 2011 compared to the previous year. This brings the overall reduction to over 17% since 1990.

The latest emission figures in the Greenhouse Gas Inventories for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have been published today. However the figures show that the rate of progress in Northern Ireland is slower than that experienced in Britain. The reduction for the UK as a whole is just over 29%.

Mr Attwood said: "I welcome the fact that we continue to make progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but I am concerned that our overall progress is not as good as England, Scotland or Wales.

-- Advertisement --

"It is clear to me that we need to redouble our efforts to reduce our emissions even further so that we can meet the Programme for Government target of a 35% reduction by 2025. All of us, including Ministers, government departments and broader civil society, have responsibility for this."

The Minister, reflecting on his belief that Northern Ireland legislation would assist in ensuring the delivery of further reductions, continued: "I believe experience has shown that specific regional climate change legislation plays a part in delivering real sustainable change and I firmly believe that is the way we should go.

"I have recently sought views from the public and other stakeholders over recent months and I will shortly be considering the best way forward. Whatever the approach, I believe we should be creating a framework for managing the transition to sustainable economic growth, protecting our built and natural heritage, creating prosperity and employment and positioning Northern Ireland as a world leader in carbon reduction."

(CD/MH)