On Monday 24th November, representatives from the UK Climate Change Committee (CCC), the statutory advisors to the UK government on climate change, met representatives from Northern Ireland Environment Link (NIEL) in Belfast to discuss how Northern Ireland can better adapt to climate change.

The meeting was held in advance of the CCC’s upcoming Well-Adapted report due to be published in 2026. The report will set out not just what risks the country faces, but what it can do about them, as well as when and where climate adaptation can be targeted to those most at risk.

Speaking on behalf of NIEL Malachy Campbell, Senior Policy Officer said:

“NIEL was delighted to host the meeting with members of the CCC. In its 2023 report on adapting to climate change in NI, the CCC has looked at how climate change could affect our healthcare, infrastructure, energy, water supply, transport, buildings, food security, biodiversity and economy and found that NI is not well prepared for these challenges. During the discussions we voiced our concerns that much more concerted and urgent action is required from the NI Executive if we are to rise to the challenges presented by climate change. NIEL looks forward to continued engagement with the CCC on this issue.”