Archived press release

Hain offers chance of the good life

9 May 2006

Environmental campaigners called on Northern Ireland government departments to take an imaginative leap forward and start focusing on how to improve our quality of life. Commenting ahead of the launch of the new Sustainable Development Strategy by Secretary of State, Peter Hain MP, John Woods, Northern Ireland Director of Friends of the Earth said:

"This strategy holds out the promise of a future of new opportunities: where new jobs are created in saving energy and producing clean energy; where fuel poverty is a thing of the past; where there is clean affordable public transport and it is safe for kids to walk to school; where farm incomes are boosted and small retailers are strengthened by producing local food for local consumption; where cutting greenhouse gas emissions is the smart thing to do; and where we can say with confidence that Northern Ireland is doing its bit, and more, to combat climate change."

Mr Woods continued:

"We now need all government departments, local councils and government agencies to get behind the Sustainable Development Strategy and get their heads around this new thinking. As of today, we should forget the old discredited belief that as long as we grow the economy everything else will follow. Now the challenge is to pursue economic, social and environmental goals together. If we do that we can transform Northern Ireland's economic prospects; the welfare of its people; and its environment. We can achieve the good life for everyone."

The Sustainable Development Strategy for Northern Ireland is to be launched by Peter Hain MP today, Tuesday 9 May at W5, Belfast.

Friends of the Earth Northern Ireland
7 Donegall Street Place
BELFAST
BT1 2FN
Tel: 028 9023 3488
Fax: 028 9024 7556
Email: [email protected]

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust