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Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has launched its new Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy at Castlewellan Forest Park. The launch took place last Friday, 9 October in the park’s recently renovated 155 year-old greenhouse, also known as the Stove house. The Strategy sets out a long-term ambition for a net zero, greener, healthier and sustainable district by 2050.
The unusual setting was chosen deliberately. With growing concern about the greenhouse effect and greenhouse gas emissions, the Stove house was seen as an ideal place to look to the future and start a conversation about climate change, while the surrounding gardens showed how nature is already responding to a changing climate.
Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy at Castlewellan Forest Park with
representatives from a number of organisations including Sustainable NI, Climate NI
and the Dolmens Climate Action Network and students from local schools.
Deputy Council Chairperson, Councillor Doire Finn, said the launch was an important milestone for the organisation.
“Climate change presents significant challenges, but it also provides opportunities to improve the places where we live, work and visit,” she said. “Through partnership and practical action, we can work towards a district that is more resilient, protects its natural environment and supports the wellbeing of our communities. I’m particularly delighted to welcome our colleagues from Louth County Council as opportunities arising from cross border collaboration on climate action will form an important element of working towards a prosperous and sustainable net zero region.”
Cllr Finn continued: “There could hardly be a more appropriate place to launch our Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy than the greenhouse at Castlewellan, with today’s event reminding us that climate change isn’t separate from everyday life. It connects our food, our gardens, our countryside, our biodiversity, our communities and the places where we live and work.”
Finn (fourth right) at the launch of the new Sustainability and Climate Change
Strategy with Council officials and councillors (from left) Sinead Murphy (NMDDC
Sustainability and Environment Director), Dr Aileen Jones (NMDDC Corporate
Services Director), Cllr Jill Truesdale, Conor Sage (NMDDC Sustainability and
Environment Assistant Director), Cllr Helena Young, Eamonn Keaveney (NMDDC
Head of Sustainability) and Council Chief Executive Marie Ward.
Sinead Murphy, the Council’s Director of Sustainability and Environment, said the Strategy provides a clear framework to work towards net zero. “The next stage is about working with colleagues, partners and communities to identify and deliver practical measures that reduce emissions, strengthen resilience, protect nature and support a more sustainable way of living and working. We also want to continue learning from others and sharing our own experience. The participation of colleagues from Louth County Council, Climate NI and Sustainable NI, as well as our communities and young people at today’s event, reflects the collaborative approach that will be essential to achieving progress.”
She added: “The Strategy includes actions to reduce emissions from Council operations, improve energy efficiency, support retrofitting and renewable energy, decarbonise our fleet and transport, protect and restore nature and biodiversity, prepare for climate impacts and support a more circular economy. We will now work with partners, communities and Council teams to take forward the Strategy and develop actions that embed sustainability across our activities and future developments and contribute towards the 2050 net zero vision.”
Guests included elected representatives, staff from the Council’s climate team, senior staff from Louth County Council’s Climate Team, and representatives from Sustainable NI and Climate NI, who have supported the Council on climate action and sustainability issues. Community representatives also attended, including members of the local Dolmens Climate Action Network, which has been working on a Sustainable Energy Communities Project and other sustainability initiatives. A group of pupils and teachers stressed the importance of taking climate action now to secure a more sustainable future for coming generations.
The event had a strong local flavour, with guests enjoying a seasonal ‘sustainable food’ harvest lunch featuring local produce. Afterwards, Head Gardener Alwyn Sinnamon led a guided walk through the Castlewellan Forest Park gardens. The tour looked at plants from different climates that are now thriving locally, showing how plants and ecosystems can adapt to changing conditions, and also covered the impacts of climate change, including earlier damage caused by Storm Eowyn.
