A large crowd stands outside Stormont with big letters saying "Net Zero Now"

Friends of the Earth Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland's challenges

Northern Ireland's air, water and soils are in a bad way.

We have the least protected environment in the UK and Ireland. It's a real worry for the 1.8m people living here and the many important wildlife sites in the country.

Northern Ireland has no independent Environmental Protection Agency. No National Parks. The planning system leans heavily towards new development. And communities don't have enough say. 

We're going to change this.

photo of Belfast, Northern Ireland, from Black Mountain

What we're calling for

Thumbnail
An independent Environmental Protection Agency
Northern Ireland is bad at protecting its environment. Companies are more or less free to damage our air, water and soil. We're sacrificing our health and livelihoods, including tourism.

Brexit only raised the stakes. Without strong environmental laws, the border with the Republic of Ireland could become a dumping ground for polluting industries now that we've left the EU.

We need an independent Environmental Protection Agency – and an environmental court with the freedom and expertise to challenge bad decisions.
An independent Environmental Protection Agency
Northern Ireland is bad at protecting its environment. Companies are more or less free to damage our air, water and soil. We're sacrificing our health and livelihoods, including tourism.

Brexit only raised the stakes. Without strong environmental laws, the border with the Republic of Ireland could become a dumping ground for polluting industries now that we've left the EU.

We need an independent Environmental Protection Agency – and an environmental court with the freedom and expertise to challenge bad decisions.
Thumbnail
Beyond extractivism
Northern Ireland has a problem with unlawful and poorly regulated mines and quarries – from basalt in the Antrim plateau, to limestone from Fermanagh, and sand from Lough Neagh. Now international corporations have come looking for gold, lead, oil and gas, and our most precious places are at risk.

We’re working with frontline communities to protect their countryside from exploitation and pollution.
Beyond extractivism
Northern Ireland has a problem with unlawful and poorly regulated mines and quarries – from basalt in the Antrim plateau, to limestone from Fermanagh, and sand from Lough Neagh. Now international corporations have come looking for gold, lead, oil and gas, and our most precious places are at risk.

We’re working with frontline communities to protect their countryside from exploitation and pollution.
Thumbnail
A just settlement for Lough Neagh watershed
Lough Neagh is one of Northern Ireland’s most precious wildlife sites. It's supposed to be protected under international, European and Northern Ireland law. Yet it's in a dire state – water quality is poor, and birds and fish are disappearing. 

It's difficult to pinpoint all the causes. But one suspect stands out: unlawful sand dredging. Some companies are sucking out sand from the lough without planning permission or environmental assessment.

We won against the dredging in the courts. But the government allows it to go on. We won't stop fighting. If we can’t save such a designated protected site, then nowhere's safe.
A just settlement for Lough Neagh watershed
Lough Neagh is one of Northern Ireland’s most precious wildlife sites. It's supposed to be protected under international, European and Northern Ireland law. Yet it's in a dire state – water quality is poor, and birds and fish are disappearing. 

It's difficult to pinpoint all the causes. But one suspect stands out: unlawful sand dredging. Some companies are sucking out sand from the lough without planning permission or environmental assessment.

We won against the dredging in the courts. But the government allows it to go on. We won't stop fighting. If we can’t save such a designated protected site, then nowhere's safe.
Law courts at the Old Bailey, London
Access to rights and justice
We're committed to having access to rights and justice at the heart of all our campaigns. Our legal team works closely with communities and activists, developing relationships and navigating environmental and planning legislation.

With the courts on our doorstep, we access the justice system in a number of different ways. We build strong partnerships with communities and legal organisations to help protect our land, water and air.
Access to rights and justice
We're committed to having access to rights and justice at the heart of all our campaigns. Our legal team works closely with communities and activists, developing relationships and navigating environmental and planning legislation.

With the courts on our doorstep, we access the justice system in a number of different ways. We build strong partnerships with communities and legal organisations to help protect our land, water and air.
Hundreds of campaigners at Stormont demanding a Climate Act for Northern Ireland - photo outside Stormont Building
Implementation of the Climate Act
With multiple crises such as climate breakdown, ecological collapse and growing inequalities, we're committed to a world that's green and fair for people and nature. We successfully campaigned for the first climate legislation in Northern Ireland. Now we're demanding that our government departments play their part in implementing the new Climate Change Act for Northern Ireland as we aim to meet net zero by 2050.

People power played a vital role in securing this legislation in 2022. Ordinary people stepped in to write legislation when the minister responsible refused, forcing Northern Ireland to stop being a climate laggard. Watch our film telling the story of what happened.
Implementation of the Climate Act
With multiple crises such as climate breakdown, ecological collapse and growing inequalities, we're committed to a world that's green and fair for people and nature. We successfully campaigned for the first climate legislation in Northern Ireland. Now we're demanding that our government departments play their part in implementing the new Climate Change Act for Northern Ireland as we aim to meet net zero by 2050.

People power played a vital role in securing this legislation in 2022. Ordinary people stepped in to write legislation when the minister responsible refused, forcing Northern Ireland to stop being a climate laggard. Watch our film telling the story of what happened.
Thumbnail
Farms not factories
Northern Ireland continues to promote industrial-style factory farming. Our environment is in an ammonia crisis, largely due to the impacts of this industrial agricultural model.

Our ammonia emissions are 4 times higher than the rest of the UK per person, and they pollute our air, water and soil. Nearly all (98%) of our protected habitats have ammonia levels such that they're ecologically damaged.

There must be an end to both new factory farms and the expansion of existing factory farms, with support for farmers to transition to a truly sustainable form of animal agriculture.
Farms not factories
Northern Ireland continues to promote industrial-style factory farming. Our environment is in an ammonia crisis, largely due to the impacts of this industrial agricultural model.

Our ammonia emissions are 4 times higher than the rest of the UK per person, and they pollute our air, water and soil. Nearly all (98%) of our protected habitats have ammonia levels such that they're ecologically damaged.

There must be an end to both new factory farms and the expansion of existing factory farms, with support for farmers to transition to a truly sustainable form of animal agriculture.

Environmental facts about Northern Ireland

1.5 million
tonnes of sand are extracted from Lough Neagh each year
45%
of electricity used in Northern Ireland comes from renewables
24,000
jobs could be created by refurbishing thousands of homes in Northern Ireland
80%
of Northern Ireland's transport budget is spent on roads
90%
of protected sites are badly damaged by agricultural pollution

Get involved and take action

We demand a strong net-zero climate act for Northern Ireland
Become a campaigner
People Planet Place supports marginalised young people to develop the skills, confidence and relationships needed to tackle the climate and nature crises. If you're aged 16 to 25, live in Northern Ireland and want to learn community campaigning skills, join us!
Become a campaigner
People Planet Place supports marginalised young people to develop the skills, confidence and relationships needed to tackle the climate and nature crises. If you're aged 16 to 25, live in Northern Ireland and want to learn community campaigning skills, join us!
A group of people outside holding up their handmade quilt which reads "warm homes for all" alongside other placards demanding warm homes.
Find a group in your community
Find out where your nearest local action group in Northern Ireland is and get in touch. If there isn't one, consider starting a new one. And if you're already part of a social justice or environmental community group, join forces with us.
Find a group in your community
Find out where your nearest local action group in Northern Ireland is and get in touch. If there isn't one, consider starting a new one. And if you're already part of a social justice or environmental community group, join forces with us.

Our team

Friends of the the Earth Northern Ireland is led by Director James Orr, and supported by:

Click on the names above to email each individual, or use the central office contact details below. 

Friends of the Earth Northern Ireland, Gordon House, 22-24 Lombard Street, Belfast BT1 1RD

028 9023 3488

[email protected]

Northern Ireland office location screenshot from Google Maps

Latest on Northern Ireland