People gathered at Derry’s Guildhlall in 2019 to protest over climate change
Mr Durkan said it was deeply regrettable it had taken to 2022 to get the legislation in place, but that it could act as a starting point for the North to tackle the climate crisis.
He called for renewed focus on the issue, now that legislation was finally in place.
Said the Foyle MLA: “Until today the North was the only part of these islands without its own dedicated climate crisis legislation and targets.
“We have been playing catch up for far too long as a result of some of our parties’ refusal to accept reality, but now that this bill has been passed we have a launching pad to begin our fight against this issue which threatens our very way of life.
“Anyone who thinks that this legislation is ‘job done’ is very much mistaken.
“Tackling the climate crisis is going to impact every part of our lives going forward and we must ensure we deliver the changes necessary to meet our targets and our agriculture sector is properly supported through a just transition as we attempt to move towards a carbon neutral society.
“I was glad to support this important legislation today and it will make a real difference going forward.
“I’d like to thank all of our local climate activists and groups, without their efforts we would never have got here.
“We are lucky to have so many community groups who are already working tirelessly to pursue a green agenda.
“It is long past time that we wake up to the threat posed by the climate crisis.
“I believe this bill marks the beginning of a real effort to fight back and adapt our way of life.”
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