CIEH welcomes commitment to key environmental health issues in Northern Ireland party Manifestos

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) welcomes the focus on environmental health issues in the recent manifestos released by Northern Ireland's political parties, noting synergies with CIEH’s own Manifesto for Environmental Health 2024.

CIEH notes the collective recognition of the need for robust climate action and decarbonisation. The Alliance Party's Green New Deal highlights that tackling the climate emergency should go hand in hand with economic transformation. Similarly, Sinn Fein emphasises the necessity of a fair and just transition to net zero, ensuring that economic policies support environmental goals. The Democratic Unionists and Ulster Unionist Party both underscore the importance of expanding Northern Ireland’s low carbon and renewable energy economy, with the DUP specifically committing to doubling this sector’s size. These commitments mirror CIEH's longstanding calls that environmental protection and economic growth are not mutually exclusive objectives.

Air and water quality are also prominent themes across the party manifestos. The Alliance Party's commitment to introducing UK air quality limits in line with WHO standards resonates strongly with CIEH’s advocacy for ambitious air quality targets, including the reduction of PM2.5 to 10µg/m3 by 2030. The Democratic Unionists and Alliance both stress the importance of tackling water pollution and protecting water quality, aligning with CIEH’s call for tougher actions against illegal sewage discharge and improving sewage treatment infrastructure to safeguard public health. These shared priorities highlight the critical role of environmental health in preventing pollution and ensuring clean air and water for our communities.

Investing in skills and workforce development is another area where there is significant overlap. All major parties, including Alliance, SDLP, Sinn Fein, Ulster Unionist, and Democratic Unionists, propose reforms to the Apprenticeship Levy to reinvest in skills development. This aligns with CIEH’s call for ring-fenced funding for Environmental Health apprentices and trainees, emphasising the importance of apprenticeships and traineeships in ensuring strong pipelines of qualified Environmental Health Practitioners to address the workforce shortages in the profession.

Sustainable farming and food safety are also key issues highlighted in the manifestos. The SDLP and Sinn Fein’s commitment to environmentally sustainable farming practices and securing funding for agriculture aligns with CIEH’s emphasis on transforming the food system to reduce environmental impacts and ensure food security. Furthermore, the Alliance and Democratic Unionists’ focus on strengthening food safety standards and protecting sensitive food products complements CIEH’s advocacy for high food standards and the formal recognition of Environmental Health Practitioners in food safety enforcement.

The manifestos also address housing conditions and public health infrastructure, with Sinn Fein and the Ulster Unionist Party proposing sustainable housing solutions. These initiatives resonate with CIEH’s focus on improving housing conditions to reduce health risks associated with poor living environments. By advocating for robust housing standards and better resource allocation, these proposals support CIEH’s goals of enhancing public health through improved living conditions.

Louise Hosking, Executive Director of Environmental Health at CIEH, said:

“We are delighted to see such a strong emphasis on Environmental Health in the Northern Ireland party manifestos. The commitments to improving air and water quality, investing in skills, and advancing sustainable practices reflect the core values and goals of CIEH. These synergies highlight the crucial role that Environmental Health professionals play in safeguarding public health and promoting sustainable development. We look forward to working collaboratively with all parties to ensure these commitments are translated into effective policies and actions that benefit all communities”