Alliance Environment Spokesperson John Blair MLA has welcomed the publication of the first Annual Progress Report on Northern Ireland's Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP).

The report, published on 27 January by the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir, marks the first formal assessment of the plan since its launch in September 2024.

The South Antrim MLA praised the Department's efforts, stating that significant progress has been made across the EIP's six Strategic Environmental Outcomes. These include improvements in air, water, and land quality, as well as advancements toward net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

Key achievements highlighted in the report include:

• The development of the Third Cycle River Basin Management Plan.

• An increase in the designation of Marine Protected Areas, now covering 38% of inshore waters.

• The restoration of 453 hectares of peatland and the creation of over 500 hectares of new woodland.

• A notable 7.1% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in 2023 compared to the previous year.

John Blair MLA remarked: "I welcome the publication of Northern Ireland's first Annual Progress Report on the Environmental Improvement Plan and commend Minister Muir and his Department for their hard work and clear focus on improving our environment. "The report shows that, in a relatively short period of time, the Minister has made real strides across all six Strategic Environmental Outcomes – from cleaner air, water and land, to better protected nature, a more circular economy and progress towards net zero. This is particularly significant given that he inherited a situation where environmental policy was too often neglected, or worse, where decisions were taken that actively harmed our environment rather than protected it."

Despite the positive trends, Blair emphasised that substantial challenges remain, particularly regarding Northern Ireland's inland waterways. He noted that historic underinvestment in wastewater infrastructure and ongoing nutrient pollution continue to fuel the crisis at Lough Neagh.

Addressing the scale of the remaining work, he added:

"Nevertheless, it is clear that there is still much more work to do. Especially in relation to water quality, and in particular the ongoing crisis in Lough Neagh. Nutrient pollution and historic underinvestment in wastewater infrastructure have left us with an environmental emergency that cannot be fixed overnight.

"Minister Muir is on a genuine journey of environmental recovery, but he cannot do this alone. I hope this report will be a turning point and harness the necessary support from other political parties and their ministers, as much more action is needed to turn the curve and repair the harm done to our natural environment."

The report serves as a baseline for future monitoring, with the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) expected to publish its own independent assessment of the progress by June 2026.