DAERA Minister Andrew Muir used the Northern Ireland Environment Forum, organised by Agenda NI, to set out his plans for a nature positive society he described as "fair, resilient and prosperous," delivered through a just transition.

The Minister told attendees: "That vision is at the heart of my work as Minister and our priorities are clear: championing Climate Action that grasps opportunities for communities and our environment; improving water quality at Lough Neagh and elsewhere; facilitating nature recovery that halts and reverses the trend on biodiversity loss; ensuring that we all share the benefits of a circular economy; strengthening environmental governance and embedding sustainability."

Setting out progress under the Environmental Improvement Plan, he accepted there was further to go and reiterated strong support for an Independent Environmental Protection Agency.

Referencing today's publication of the Climate Change Committee's 'Well-Adapted UK' report, Mr Muir called climate change "the defining challenge of our generation," pointing to increased flash flooding, wildfires and other extreme weather, alongside growing pressures on farming, food systems and infrastructure. He said DAERA was pursuing ambitious measures across land use, waste, forestry, fisheries and agriculture.

He highlighted momentum in Northern Ireland with public consultation on the first Climate Action Plan, work commencing on a second plan, and the Third Northern Ireland Climate Change Adaptation Programme setting out actions to bolster resilience and scale up nature-based solutions. Arguing the climate and biodiversity emergencies are "two sides of the same coin," the Minister said he was determined to reverse nature decline through the draft Nature Recovery Strategy.

On water quality, he said steps were being taken to cut nutrient pollution and strengthen river basin management, stressing that sectors must work together to restore and protect Lough Neagh.

He underlined the need for a "One Health approach" that recognises the "clear links between the quality of our environment and public health".

He observed: "Lough Neagh provides 40% of our drinking water, demonstrating how improving water quality is not just about protecting ecosystems. Clean air, clean water and access to nature are fundamental to public wellbeing. Environmental protection is an investment in long-term health and resilience. Through our policies on air, water, chemicals, land and nature, DAERA contributes directly to preventative health outcomes, working closely with health, infrastructure and local government partners, as well as our rural communities."

On agriculture, The Minister stated: "With farmers managing over one million hectares of land, they have a vital role to play in nature recovery and have been for many generations the custodians of our land. Through the Sustainable Agriculture Programme, we are supporting farmers to aid nature recovery and farm resilience."

Citing the economic potential of a circular economy and deeper collaboration between businesses and communities, the Minister added: "The solutions to many of our problems also present massive opportunities if we only grasp them – from climate action to nature recovery to a circular economy.

"It is all interlinked and all of us have a part to play. Through sustained collaboration, focused on a just transition, we can all feel the benefits that a nature positive society will bring."