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Making life better for people by inspiring solutions to environmental problems

Environmental Protection Agency moves a step closer

Green groups welcome appointment of Review team

A coalition of leading conservation organisations is celebrating today’s appointment of a three-person team to conduct an inquiry into environmental protection in Northern Ireland [1]. The ‘Review of Environmental Governance’ is to be chaired by Tom Burke CBE, assisted by Professor Sharon Turner and Gordon Bell. The announcement was made by Environment Minister Jeff Rooker and follows a coalition campaign to establish an Environmental Protection Agency.

Heather Thompson, Chief Executive of the Ulster Wildlife Trust, welcomed the announcement on behalf of the coalition:

“We are delighted with today’s news because it marks an important milestone in our campaign to win an Environmental Protection Agency. This Review represents the best opportunity in a generation to reform the system which protects our most precious asset - our environment. We need a bold new authority with the independence and resources necessary to better control pollution, protect wildlife and their habitats, and conserve our built heritage.”

Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK and Ireland not to have an independent EPA. Here, the job is done by Environment and Heritage Service, an Executive Agency within the Department of the Environment [2]. The inquiry team will examine the current governance arrangements, draw on experience at home and abroad, and design a new system for managing and protecting Northern Ireland’s environment.

Nine leading environmental organisations [3] have campaigned to achieve an independent review. The coalition expects that the inquiry, which is due to begin shortly, will be conducted in an open and transparent manner with maximum participation from stakeholders and the public.

Dr Sue Christie, Director of Northern Ireland Environment Link paid tribute to the Minister and his officials:

“Lord Rooker has been receptive to our calls for an independent environmental regulator. The Terms of Reference for this Review, and the calibre of those appointed to conduct it, suggest that the Department is willing to embrace meaningful reform. The challenge now is to ensure that all those with a view have the opportunity to make it known. Indeed, we would urge everyone to get involved.”

Malachy Campbell, Policy Officer at WWF Northern Ireland also welcomed the Review, adding:

“While reform of the current system is needed, the integrated nature of EHS, which embraces pollution control, wildlife protection and built heritage conservation, is a good foundation to build on. The coalition hope is that the new Environmental Protection Agency will take an integrated approach to managing and ultimately improving our environment.”

Notes

[1] (back) Tom Burke CBE is an Environmental Policy Adviser to Rio Tinto plc and a Visiting Professor at Imperial College, London.

Professor Sharon Turner is a Chair of Environmental Law at Queen’s University, Belfast.

Gordon Bell retired recently as Chief Executive of Liberty IT, a successful software development company.

Pen portraits are available from the Review of Environmental Governance Secretariat on 028 9054 4581 or by visiting www.regni.info

[2] (back) Environment and Heritage Service performance in protecting Northern Ireland’s environment has been criticised by the Northern Ireland Audit Office, House of Commons Northern Ireland Affairs Committee and Waste Management Advisory Board. It has also been the subject of BBC Spotlight and UTV Insight investigations. For many years, environmental organisations have been concerned about the agency’s performance in controlling pollution, protecting wildlife and conserving built heritage.

[3] (back) The Coalition for Environmental Protection comprises the following nine organisations:

Conservation Volunteers Northern Ireland
Friends of the Earth
National Trust
Northern Ireland Environment Link
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Ulster Wildlife Trust
Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
Woodlands Trust
WWF (Northern Ireland)