Belfast City Council Declares Climate Emergency

The SDLP has welcomed agreement among Belfast City councillors to declare a climate emergency.Lisnasharragh Councillor and Chair of Belfast City Council's Climate Crisis Working Group, Séamas de Faoite said the step is an important one in recognising the climate emergency."We have less than twelve years to alter our behaviour or face prolonged climate chaos," he said."Action is now required from government, society, industry and business to end our addiction to fossil fuels, deliver the Green New Deal and build a truly sustainable future."Councillor de Faoite called for a dedicated Northern Ireland Climate Change Act, an independent Environmental Protection Agency and an emphasis on cross-border and international co-operation to reduce carbon emissions to zero."No longer can conspiracy theorists or climate deniers be allowed to prevent this action from taking place," he added.(JG/CM)