Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has unveiled its new 'Climate and Sustainability Action Plan'.

The plan sets out a roadmap to address climate change in Mid and East Antrim over the next five years.

In 2019 Mid and East Antrim Borough Council passed a Notice of Motion on Climate Change. Since then, Council has been working to reduce its impact on climate and nature – culminating in the production of their innovative 'Climate and Sustainability Action Plan'.

The plan has been guided by a number of international, national, regional and local pieces of legislation, agreements and policies. Illustrating the current and projected impacts of climate change throughout the Borough – the new plan, which was developed in partnership with Sustainable NI, looks at proposals to tackle these effects, meet the requirements within the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 and deliver on the commitments in Council’s Climate and Sustainability Policy.

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Some of the aims outlined in the plan include:

• 30% reduction in Council operation emissions by 2030

• Decarbonise small vehicles in Council fleets by 2030

• Council operation emissions to net zero by 2040

• Supporting the Borough to net zero by 2050

• Climate resilience in Council buildings, public spaces and infrastructure

The Plan sets out six key themes through which 97 actions will be delivered over the next five years. The themes include – Good Governance and Community Leadership, Our Environment, Economy, Transport, Resource Management and Buildings and Energy.

As part of Council's commitment to these targets, they have put in place a number of structures to embed climate action throughout the organisation. These groups within Council meet regularly to agree targets, implement actions and review progress on climate delivery.

In addition to considering energy efficiency, renewable technologies and agile working – Council will also review their fleets, fuel usage and waste management and will embed sustainable practices – not only through planning processes and capital works projects – but through the implementation of nature-based solutions for carbon capture, where possible.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Gerardine Mulvenna, said: "We are delighted to launch this new ‘Climate and Sustainability Action Plan’ which sets out the framework through which we will address climate change in Mid and East Antrim over the next five years. With climate being such an important agenda item, the new plan provides the drive, ambition and roadmap to help us along the pathway to net zero."