On a recent visit to Northern Ireland, COP26UK High Level Climate Action Champion Nigel Topping sought a meeting with responsible business network Business in the Community (BITC), Danske Bank and Translink to hear how organisations here are addressing the climate crisis and taking action to reduce and offset harmful emissions generated through day-to-day business practices and supply chains.
Alongside his predecessor for COP25 Gonzalo Muñoz, he drives two global climate campaigns– Race to Zero and Race to Resilience – which rally leadership and support from businesses, cities, regions and investors for a healthy, resilient, zero-carbon recovery that prevents future threats, creates decent jobs, and unlocks inclusive, sustainable growth.
The meeting was arranged as part of a scheduled visit to Northern Ireland where Nigel Topping met with Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Edwin Poots, businesses, and local councils to hear how organisations are taking action to address the climate emergency.
Over 20 organisations in Northern Ireland have already signed BITC’s Climate Action Pledge, an ambitious public commitment to reduce greenhouse gases emissions by 30% or 50% before 2030.
Translink Group Chief Executive Chris Conway said: “Translink is leading the transport transformation to zero emission public transport across NI by 2040, taking action to combat the climate emergency, improve air quality and drive positive change for a healthier and more sustainable transport future.
“We recently introduced three new zero emission hydrogen powered vehicles into our fleet and have a further 100 electric and hydrogen buses on order and due to start arriving later this year; this will be the fourth largest zero emission bus fleet in the UK, marking our commitment to building back responsibly post COVID-19.”
To find out more about signing the Climate Action Pledge, visit www.bitcni.org.uk/climateactionpledge or email [email protected]
