Climate change is one of the greatest threats facing Northern Ireland and the world.
We have an obligation to future generations to reduce carbon emissions and safeguard the environment.
We can take practical steps at a local level by incentivising a move from a fossil fuelled economy to one powered by renewable energy. The key challenge however is the building of a suitable infrastructure to transport energy from where it is generated to where it is needed. I believe that Northern Ireland’s public sector and the consumer should contribute to the cost of building a public asset.
In relation to reducing the use of fossil fuels, the move to gas where possible and ground heat pumps where this is not is to be encouraged. An absolute priority for better insulation should be provided and consideration given to the use of Financial Transaction Capital in this regard.