AQW 25512/17-22

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 09/11/2021
Answered On Date: 19/11/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail his Department’s plans to become the world’s first eco-department.

Answer:

My proposal to seek DAERA’s accreditation as the world’s first Eco-Department is included in the draft Environment Strategy which was issued for public consultation on 11 November 2021, with a closing date of 18 January 2022.

DAERA already funds Keep NI Beautiful to run the highly successful international Eco-Schools and Eco-Campus Programmes. These programmes aim to make environmental awareness and action an intrinsic part of the life and ethos of our schools and third level education establishments, and promote practical positive behavioural change. There is an opportunity to expand the programme further in Northern Ireland to generate a new ‘Eco-Department’ accreditation.

In order to achieve the accreditation, DAERA would submit to an independent, rigorous 7-step approach to meet specific tailored objectives, involving both employees and stakeholders. The assessment process typically takes 18–24 months. This would be a world first and has been warmly welcomed by the Foundation for Environmental Education, the world’s largest environmental education organisation