Belfast City councillors have voted in favour of declaring a climate emergency.

The vote, which took place at Tuesday's meeting, 01 October, sees the Council commit to take action in the fight against climate change.

Chair of Belfast City Council's Climate Crisis Working Group, Séamas de Faoite has welcomed the decision and called for similar action from the government.

The SDLP Lisnasharragh Councillor said: "The climate crisis is a profound generational injustice. Young people should not be forced to live with the catastrophic environmental consequences of older generations who have failed to end our reliance on fossil fuels.

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"The IPCC has painted a stark picture of the consequences of inaction. We have less than twelve years to alter our behaviour or face prolonged climate chaos.

"Action is now required from government, society, industry and business to end our addiction to fossil fuels, deliver the Green New Deal and build a truly sustainable future.

"That action should include a dedicated Northern Ireland Climate Change Act, an independent Environmental Protection Agency and an emphasis on cross-border and international co-operation to reduce carbon emissions to zero.

"No longer can conspiracy theorists or climate deniers be allowed to prevent this action from taking place."

(CM/JG)