Resource

Briefings
Reports
Consultation responses
Newsletters

Briefings

Planning Reform: making the most of the opportunity
(PDF† format 2.48M) Aug 2009
This briefing is a guide to the planning reform process. It identifies 11 key areas that should be addressed.

Green New Deal for Northern Ireland
(PDF† format 464K) Jun 2009
This briefing outlines a vision for a Northern Ireland which is able to respond robustly to the triple crunch of recession, unstable fuel prices and climate change.

Green New Deal for Northern Ireland - Housing Package
(PDF† format 486K) Jun 2009
This Green New Deal paper focuses on existing homes and looks at the job creation potential of refurbishment and renewable energy.

Belfast City Council Waste Treatment Questionnaire - A suggested response
(PDF† format 75K) Mar 2009
This briefing is a suggested response to Belfast City Council's questionnaire on Incineration and Mechanical and Biological Treatment.

Lisnaragh ASSI
(PDF† format 85.7K) Dec 2008
This briefing looks at the legal errors made by the Environment Minister when he rescinded the designation of Lisnaragh ASSI.

Planning Policy Statement: Planning and Climate Change
(PDF† format 100K) Nov 2007
This briefing sets out the planning principles the Northern Ireland Assembly should observe in order to tackle climate change.

Assembly Briefing No 1 - The Climate Change Bill
(PDF† format 101K) June 2007
This Assembly briefing aims to persuade MLAs to agree to opt-in to the Climate Change Bill.

Planning Policy Statement 14
Sustainable Development in the Countryside
(PDF† format 56K) June 2006
This briefing makes the case for supporting Planning Policy Statement 14 on Sustainable Development in the Countryside

Planning for the environment in Northern Ireland
(PDF format 275K) April 2006
This action guide will tell you all you need to know about the planning system in Northern Ireland, how you can participate in planning decisions and how to use it in your campaigning.

Adopt a Polluter - filthy factories, dodgy dumps and squalid sewage
(PDF format 241K) March 2005
Friends of the Earth is campaigning for Environment and Heritage Service to be replaced with a new independent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This briefing enables you to join our campaign.

Investing in a better future - Ethical pensions, insurance and investments
(PDF format) May 2003
By investing in ethical pensions, insurance schemes and other products we can secure a stable, safe future for ourselves and our families without contributing to climate change, environmental destruction and social injustice.

Relocalising food procurement
(PDF format 106K) April 2003
How a 'local first' purchasing policy can
boost farm incomes and cut food miles.

Towards Sustainable Economies:
challenging neoliberal economic globalisation
(PDF format) Sept 2002
Neoliberal economics have failed, but what are the alternatives and how can we measure real economic welfare?

Regional Transportation Strategy - Reverse Transport Spending
(PDF format) Mar 2002
Peter Robinson's Proposed Regional Transportation Strategy panders to three common transport myths: that everyone has a car; that roads spending benefits the economy; and that building new road space eases congestion. This briefing sets out the case for spending a far greater proportion of strategy resources on public transport.

How to win at BMAP!
(PDF format) Mar 2002
A guide to the Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan for concerned citizens, campaigners and community groups.

Vision Impaired - An Analysis of the DARD Vision Group Report
(PDF format 128K) Dec 2001
This briefing sets out why the 'Vision' report is an inadequate foundation on which to build the future of food and farming in Northern Ireland and why it presents a dangerously narrow agenda on which to conduct the current debate.

The case for the full implementation of the Aggregates Levy in Northern Ireland
(PDF format) Aug 2001
Quarry industry lobbyists have argued that the introduction of the aggregates levy in Northern Ireland will give operators in the Republic an unfair advantage and that jobs will migrate over the border. This briefing explains how the levy could help in the creation of thousands of jobs and regenerate struggling rural economies.

Railways: ruin or revival?
(PDF format) Sept 2000
The Northern Ireland Assembly will shortly be
making tough choices on public expenditure priorities
for the next three years. As our railways face a
deepening crisis, this briefing argues the case for rail
and responds to the conclusions of the Railways Task
Force report.

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Reports

Rural settlement patterns and access to development land
(PDF† format) Apr 2008
This report demonstrates that PPS14: Sustainable Development in the countryside is not a threat to Northern Ireland's rural dwellers.

Consensus grows on Environmental Protection Agency
(PDF† format 957K) Jan 2008
This is a stakeholder endorsement document, with comments in support of an EPA from political parties, business leaders and other key stakeholders.

Estimating potential costs for an independent environmental protection agency in Northern Ireland
Executive summary (PDF† format) Nov 2007
Full report (PDF† format) Nov 2007
This report presents analyses of the efficiency gains presented by reforming Northern Ireland's regulatory system, and the costs of establishing and then operating a new EPA.

DOE ill-prepared for introduction of new landfill regime which will force closure of many sites
(PDF† format) July 2006
This report focuses on the regulation of the waste industry by Environment and Heritage Service. It examines the views of senior executives from many of Northern Ireland's leading waste companies, and also provides a comparative analysis of the performance of EHS and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA).

Sewage treatment in Northern Ireland: Hotspots - a legal opinion
(PDF format) Dec 2004
This is a legal opinion on the policy that the Northern Ireland Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) should not object to applications for planning permission for development in 56 'hotspot' locations where there is inadequate sewage treatment infrastructure.

Environmental Protection Consultation: analysis of responses
(PDF format 360K) Oct 2004
This report provides an analysis of the responses to the Environmental Protection Consultation. This consultation was based on the report by Professor Richard Macrory on Northern Ireland's environmental protection regime.

Transparency and Trust: Reshaping Environmental Governance in Northern Ireland - full report
(PDF format 300K) April 2004
This report describes a range of options for effective environmental governance in Northern Ireland, including the creation of an independent Environmental Protection Agency. The Executive summary is also available(PDF format 78K).

M1/Westlink 'Freight First' proposal
(PDF format 357K) Nov 2003
The Freight First proposal would see a reallocation of space to give priority to freight and public transport vehicles over the private car. Freight First also proposes the introduction of priority signalling allowing lorries and buses a head start on cars.

Localising the Food Economy in Northern Ireland - Opportunities and Strategy for Growth
(PDF format 794K) June 2002
This report presents a vision focused upon a local, not global, food economy where food products are consumed close to their point of production - and proceeds to outline a strategy for achieving it.

Out of the Shadows
(PDF format) June 2000
The future of Northern Ireland's railways. A report by the Transport Research and Information Network for Friends of the Earth (Northern Ireland).

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Consultation responses

Proposed changes to the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation consultation response
(PDF format - 288K) Dec 2009
Friends of the Earth's response to the DETI Renewables Obligation consultation

Northern Ireland Strategic Energy Framework pre-consultation response
(PDF format - 177K) Sept 2008
Friends of the Earth's response to the DETI Strategic Energy Framework pre-consultation document.

Sustainable Development:
The Regulator's Role
(PDF format - 164K) Sept 2008
Friends of the Earth's response to the consultation on the role of the Northern Ireland Utility Regulator in promoting Sustainable Development.

A submission to the consultation on draft Planning Policy Statement 18: Renewable energy
(PDF format - 178K) Nov 2007
Friends of the Earth supports the development of renewable energy technologies but believe this policy is too restrictive.

The Draft Climate Change Bill, March 2007: response from Friends of the Earth (Northern Ireland)
(PDF format - 102K) June 2007
Friends of the Earth believes that there are strong moral, economic, social and environmental imperatives for Northern Ireland to contribute its fair share of global emissions cuts.

A submission to the DOE consultation on proposals for managing the coexistence of GM, conventional and organic crops
(PDF format) Apr 2007
Friends of the Earth considers that DOE's proposals for a coexistence regime for Northern Ireland are deeply flawed, and based on incorrect assumptions and misinterpretation of EU law.

Response by Friends of the Earth to draft PlanningPolicy Statement 14: Sustainable Development in the Countryside
(PDF format) Jun 2006
In adopting a presumption against development in open countryside, the Department for Regional Development (DRD) has made an important step in moving Northern Ireland towards more sustainable forms of rural development.

Putting justice at the heart of the Planning System in Northern Ireland: response to Reforming Planning Proposals to Amend Primary Legislation in Northern Ireland, August 2004
(PDF format) Nov 2004
The introduction of robust rights of participation in planning, along with a statutory duty to promote sustainable development, would position the Northern Ireland Planning System as one of the most progressive and just in Europe.

A position report on the future investment needs of the Northern Ireland railway network
(PDF format) Sept 2004
In the rest of the UK and Ireland, the respective governments are investing in rail. Meanwhile in Northern Ireland, the Government is contemplating closing key stretches of the network. In this report, Friends of the Earth argues that the network should be expanded, not cut.

Response by Friends of the Earth to Transparency and Trust: Reshaping Environmental Governance in Northern Ireland (The Macrory Report)
(PDF format) June 2004
This paper is a detailed response and addresses options for the"Delivery mechanisms surrounding Environment and Heritage Service" section from the Macrory Report.

The reform of water and sewerage services in Northern Ireland
(PDF format - 176K) June 2003
A response to the consultation on the future of Water Service.

Promoting Sustainable Living
(PDF format - 248K) Sept 2002
A consultation response on the Sustainable Development strategy for Northern Ireland.

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Newsletters

Issue 18 - Autumn 2009
(PDF† format - 391K)
Have the Copenhagen climate talks failed before they've started? Environment Minister Edwin Poots MLA; Activist round-up; Thank you John and good luck; Ice-age u-turn; Belfast rejects incinerator; Road to Copenhagen; the Northern Ireland 'Green New Deal'; Cold house for the environment; Making waves for climate justice.

Issue 17 - Autumn 2008
(PDF† format - 306K)
Is devolution delivering for the environment? Sammy Wilson MP, MLA, Activist round-up, Environment failed by devolution, Planning policy no threat to rural communities, Political dealing on rural planning policy, EPA defeat, Peak oil, Economic opportunities of a low-carbon future.

Issue 16 - Spring 2008
(PDF† format - 329K)
Decision time on an Environmental Protection Agency, Mark Durkan MP MLA, Wake up to climate change, It's time for an Environmental Protection Agency, Happy Anniversary, The Budget was a missed opportunity, Green groups reassure farmers on EPA, Carbon offsetting: solution or distraction, Climate Change Bill.

Issue 15 - Autumn 2007
(PDF† format - 347K)
It's time for the Assembly to take the lead, Arlene Foster MLA, Review of countryside planning policy, The Island Gathering 2007, Why churches need a climate change, Big decisions in the Big House, Emerald Isle to cut greenhouse gases, Opt-in or cop-out, Environment watchdog final report.

Issue 14 - Spring 2007
(PDF† format - 280K)
Will the Assembly join the revolution, Dr Nicola Creighton, Climate proofing the planning system, Spreading the word of the Big Ask, Executive Decisions, Climate agenda heats up, EPA update, Hotspots victory in European court, Act for climate.

Issue 13 - Autumn 2006
(PDF† format - 404K)
Will Northern Ireland catch the green wave, Philip Allen, Growing activism, EPA in sight, Ride the wave or wipe-out, Wealth or welfare, Rail vision, Hotspots court victory, The Big Answer.

Issue 12 - Spring 2006
(PDF† format - 332K)
Environmental Protection Agency, DOE legal defence dead in the water, Professor Amyan Macfadyen, Polluter pays - but not Kilroot, Local successes, Pause for reflection, Ban on bungalow blight, Waste Strategy a waste of paper, Renewable energy future for Northern Ireland, Transport round-up.

Issue 11 - Autumn 2005
(PDF† format - 258K)
Hotspots court cases announced, EPA inquiry begins, Lord Rooker profile, A new team member, First 'Island Gathering', Environmental governance and sustainability, Planning rights under threat, Adopt a polluter successes, Climate policy frozen in time, Third time unlucky for waste strategy.

Issue 10 - Spring 2005
(PDF format - 258K)
Sewage hotspots reach boiling point, Kilroot - carbon dinosaur, Oisín Coghlan profile, fighting pollution action guide, the future of planning, crisis in planning, Kyoto climate contract commences, Government wasters exposed, 8 out of 10 say DOE failing on pollution.

Issue 9 - Autumn 2004
(PDF format - 1.4MB)
'Illegal' Crown immunity must go, Waste strategy has "failed to deliver", Sammy weatherup profile, Environmental protection debate gains momentum, Must try harder on recycling, Why Europe is important, Rail threat, Northern Ireland sensitive to Europe, Europe begins legal action on planning.

Issue 8 - Spring 2004
(PDF format - 911K)
Environmental protection debate begins, Why Northern Ireland needs effective environmental protection, Professor Richard Macrory profile, Water Service scorecard, Adopt a polluter, Waste wranglings, Strangford saved?

Issue 7 - Autumn 2003
(PDF format - 191K)
Europe set to take legal action, Leaky landfill legacy, Angela Smith MP profile, Reducing food miles from gate to plate, Farming's future, Eyesore or elegant solution?, New head on the block.

Issue 6 - Spring 2003
(PDF format - 215K)
DOE gagged, Lignite lunacy, Pollution park, Westlink show trial, Buy local food.

Issue 5 - Summer 2002
(PDF format - 937K)
Westlink round two, Fair trade for farmers, John McCormick profile, Transport strategy response, In a spin over GM, Planning justice, Rio plus 10, Stop Esso, Scotland dumped on.

Issue 4 - Spring 2002
(PDF format - 651K)
Regional Transportation strategy, Rail line closure, Department of Environment in court, New environment minister, Renewable energy review, Benefits of local food.

Issue 3 - Autumn 2001
(PDF format - 758K)
Rail success, Vision for food and farming, Westlink report, Green transport league tables, Quarry tax.

Issue 2 - Spring 2001
(PDF format - 1.1MB)
M1/Westlink:public inquiry or kangaroo court? Railways: citizens call for cash, Our changing climate, Walking bus, Growing a local food economy.

Issue 1 - Summer 2000
(PDF format - 670K)
Railways in Crisis, Westlink Review, A bright future for farming, Waste Strategy Launched, What future for Sellafield?

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