Archived press release

Northern Ireland Executive must use the spending review to stimulate the low carbon Economy

21 October 2010

Referring to the meeting of the Executive to discuss the budget cuts (22 October), Friends of the Earth Director in Northern Ireland, James Orr, has said:

"The Spending Review is a real opportunity to re-direct Northern Ireland towards a new low-carbon economy. The Executive must not waste this opportunity by short sighted slashing in the wrong departments and the wrong projects. The debate about our future economy needs strong commitment to the low-carbon economy and projects like the Green New Deal."

"Our energy security is already the biggest social and economic challenge facing Northern Ireland. It is essential Northern Ireland weans itself off fossil fuels, an energy source that is already in decline. We must redirect investment from fossil fuel hungry industry towards the new green infrastructure that will create thousands of jobs and save money."

Referring to those aspects of government funding that needs cutting, he said :

"Targeting spending cuts to unsustainable infrastructure could save Northern Ireland up to £1billion in the next five years. First and foremost we need to stop building new roads such as the A5 and instead spend more on public transport, cycling provision and fixing the existing road network."

"The Executive's new road building programme is hugely wasteful of precious resources, creates congestion, destroys the environment and conflicts with policies to reduce carbon emissions"

"We can also save tens of millions of pounds if we cut subsidies to unsustainable incineration projects. This is the wrong way to create jobs and to deal with waste. Invest Northern Ireland must get a reality check and stop subsidising large corporations like Coca Cola. We have to prioritise more homegrown business, especially the renewables industry, to make our economy more green and more resilient." 

Friends of the Earth Northern Ireland
7 Donegall Street Place
BELFAST
BT1 2FN
Tel: 028 9023 3488
Fax: 028 9024 7556
Email: foe-ni@foe.co.uk.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust