Sustainable Development Commission Vital
The Green Party has called on the Assembly Executive to live up to its commitment to build a sustainable future by retaining the Sustainable Development Commission in Northern Ireland.
Green Party spokesperson Steven Agnew stated;
“There is a clear commitment in the Programme for Government to build a sustainable future and promote sustainability throughout all government decision making. This was agreed on a cross party basis and therefore the Stormont Executive is required to live up to this commitment. To scrap the Sustainable Development Commission would be a dereliction of the duties of this government.”
The Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) is under threat after the Con/Lib government announced plans to scrap UK funding of the Commission. The Northern Ireland branch is parted funded by the UK government and part funded by our own Assembly.
Mr. Agnew added;
“The SDC saves us more money than it costs. Across the UK tens of millions of pounds have been saved in real efficiencies through the reduction in water, fuel and energy costs - savings that the SDC identified. The Belfast office has three staff and the work they do is vital. To axe it would be incredibly short sighted.”
Notes:
1. “Sustainability: building a sustainable future will be a key requirement for our economic, social and environmental policies and programmes.
We will ensure that the principles of sustainability – development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs – underpin our approach to all our activities.
As an Executive, we will demonstrate our commitment to sustainability through the decisions and actions that we take and will work in partnership with others outside government to promote a wider understanding and knowledge of the issue.”
Northern Ireland Programme for Government: http://www.pfgbudgetni.gov.uk/finalpfg.pdf