Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has outlined how the use of green design in the delivery of road signage and street lighting is improving energy efficiency as part of the fight against the climate crisis.

Improvements in technology and materials used in the deployment of signs and traffic signalling technologies on the road network across Northern Ireland are part of the changes taking place. The Department is also using more energy efficient street lighting systems.

Minister Mallon said: "I am committed to delivering sustainable infrastructure that will transform communities and improve lives. From day one I have emphasised the need for environmental sustainability by using an electric vehicle as my Ministerial car and I have continued to move forward with my green agenda.

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"Tackling the climate emergency should be a priority for all of us so I am delighted that my Department is continuing to take steps to be more sustainable in how it operates in order to lessen the impact on the environment.

"We are increasingly using sign and traffic signal materials made from non-metal composites often manufactured from recycled materials and have changed 112,000 sodium street-lights to more energy efficient LED units. This has resulted in a reduction of approximately 24% in energy usage in addition to reduced ongoing maintenance costs. Furthermore all of the electricity used to power the Department's street lights and traffic signal equipment is now generated from 100% renewable sources."