Next climate leaders urge Stormont to be inspired by COP29

Áine Murray is a senior sustainability engineer and podcaster

Young environmental leaders in Northern Ireland have urged the Stormont assembly to step up to the challenge of addressing climate change.

Their message comes as world leaders gather in Azerbaijan for the international climate change COP29 conference with its main aim of striking agreements on how to get funds to poorer countries to reduce greenhouse gases and fight the effects of climate change.

Áine Murray, 29, a senior sustainability engineer and podcaster, will be following the negotiations closely and said decisions on finance should inspire politicians in Northern Ireland.

"I notice the feeling of climate anxiety," she said.

Áine is among a group of young people taking part in the 30 Under 30 Climate Changemakers programme run by the charity Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful.

At a breakfast event in Belfast later this week, they plan to outline their vision for sustainability as Northern Ireland strives to reach net zero by 2050.

Climate change challenges

Áine hopes some sort of agreement can be made in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, at COP29, which has been dubbed the finance COP.

"Hopefully for Northern Ireland that can serve as encouragement that funds are being allocated to other places," she said.

"We can definitely allocate funds here to much-needed areas."

She believes the decisions taken at these high-level international events are relevant for Northern Ireland.

"I came across this word a couple of weeks ago—solastalgia—and it describes the fear of when our homes or places we love are being changed," she said.

"We carry that with us emotionally, so let's stop this effect and show young people that there is a brighter future.

"I am an optimist—just not necessarily short-term."

'I'm genuinely worried'

Shane Brady said there was action people could take without national targets

Shane Brady, 29, is the chief operating officer of a facilities management company in Belfast.

One of his specialities is tracking the impact of changing climate on how we use our buildings and where we could improve our energy use.

"We can see that June was cold this year, which was strange, but now the temperature is far higher," he said.

"So it's an interesting secondary way that you're seeing these real changes."

He said the "trickle-down" effect of events like COP29 was important, and there was action people can take without national targets or legislation.

"There are a lot of companies and a lot of public sector organisations that talk about net zero.

"But the real world implications are - we are in buildings where heat is going on at the weekend.

"So the same organisations may be talking about quite niche improvements that they're making, whether they're planting trees and these more heavily marketed pieces, but the basics we do at home, they don't do."

Shane is also aware of the potential impact of geopolitics on climate action with the election of climate sceptic Donald Trump, who has described efforts to boost green energy as "a scam", as US president.

"How do we go up against this idea that people are sick of hearing about climate change?

"I'm genuinely worried.

"Innovation is going to be a massive part of how we actually drive down carbon emissions across the planet."

"It can be a chance to be hopeful and to change things for the better."

'I am optimistic'

Polly Garnett said grassroots activism and local initiatives were most important

As an artist and educator, Polly Garnett, 28, believes conversations on a global scale are important, but she is already a little disappointed by COP29.

"It's disheartening to see that there isn't really fair representation of women in any kind of leadership positions," she said.

"It is exciting that a coalition being set up this year for women in leadership and climate, but still disappointing in some ways.

"It's important to have a look on a more local scale.

"So as much as COP29 has its place, grassroots activism and local initiatives really are where it's most important to have our focus.

"I am optimistic."

Sustainability initiatives

All three young leaders are involved in the RE[act] festival, which is Belfast's response to COP29 with its themes of People, Place and Planet.

"There are a lot of sustainability initiatives happening in Northern Ireland," said Lawrence Geoffrey Tingson, sustainability manager with the festival organiser Linen Quarter Business Improvement District.

"While negotiations are happening in Azerbaijan about climate action, we'll be here in our city celebrating great initiatives for a resilient Belfast."

Andrew Muir told the assembly climate change was “the issue of our time”

On Monday, it was announced that an updated green growth strategy is to be presented to the Northern Ireland Executive.

The agriculture, environment, and rural affairs minister told Stormont it would be a framework for the transition to a greener future.

Andrew Muir also launched a public consultation on the creation of a Just Transition Commission (JTC) for Northern Ireland.

The JTC is a requirement of the Climate Change Act passed by Stormont in 2022.

The commission will advise on how to ensure no one is left behind in the transition to a zero-carbon economy.

Members will represent sectors including agriculture, academia, trade unions, civic society, and environmental groups.

The minister said membership might need to expand to include sectors like energy and transport.

Muir told the Assembly climate change was the issue of our time.

But he added that if addressing it was a marathon, "we’re nowhere near mile 20".