The establishment of an Executive Department for Energy and Climate Change in Northern Ireland has been set forth as a priority in Alliance's Assembly election manifesto.

The party is also proposing the creation of 50,000 green new jobs by 2030, as laid out in Alliance's Green New Deal, a strategy for clean and inclusive growth, an immediate ban on all current and future fossil fuel exploration including fracking, and improving the recently-passed Climate Change Act by increasing the strength and reach of the legislation.

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Alliance Upper Bann Assembly candidate Eóin Tennyson said: "It was welcome to see climate change legislation finally be created in Northern Ireland. While the Climate Change Act is not as strong as hoped, it is a good start. Alliance will be seeking to strengthen and improve it in the next mandate. The best way to ensure its successful implementation is to have a dedicated Department focused on fighting the climate crisis, which could give leadership and restore public confidence in green energy initiatives, which has been knocked thanks to a lack of ambition and direction.

"The challenge facing us is immense. But a dedicated Department and Minister to champion climate issues at the Executive, to direct policy and implementation of energy generation and efficiency schemes, and to oversee our transition to a zero-carbon energy future would be a crucial part of tackling it."