The Belfast Resilience Strategy – the city’s first climate plan – sets out a total of 30 transformational programmes to transition Belfast to an inclusive, zero-emissions, climate-resilient economy in a generation.
The strategy, launched in December 2020, provides a framework to safeguard Belfast against situations that could threaten its safety and stability over the coming years and provides joined-up mechanisms to recover quickly when disasters occur.
Three key areas of focus are:
- Children and young people – giving our youth an active urban childhood, focused on wellbeing;
- Climate resilience – building a low carbon economy, adapting to and mitigating climate change across the city;
- Connectivity – creating connections and connecting people, sustainable transport and infrastructure in ways that achieve our economic, social and environmental goals.
Belfast Lord Mayor, Alderman Frank McCoubrey said the events of 2020 have emphasised the need to be a fully resilient city:
“As the world responds and recovers from a global pandemic, it is more crucial than ever to prioritise a sustainable and resilient strategy that supports our future wellbeing.
“Since we declared a climate emergency last October, we have been taking a lead in the battle against climate change and this important strategy will enable us to work with others to ensure a collective response to addressing the issue of climate moving forwards.”
The Net Zero Carbon Roadmap for Belfast, developed by the Belfast Climate Commission, also launched alongside the Resilience Strategy.
The report analysed the impact of the climate crisis on Belfast and made recommendations about where we can reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency.
The roadmap’s author Professor Andy Gouldson said:
“The Climate Plan and the Net Zero Carbon Roadmap for Belfast go hand in hand. Based only on the fuel and electricity used within its boundaries, Belfast will use up its share of the carbon budget through to 2050 in just over nine years. The roadmap sets out how Belfast can ensure rapid reductions in carbon emissions, which also fulfils the aim of Belfast’s Resilience Strategy.”
Have your say on the Resilience Strategy at https://yoursay.belfastcity.gov.uk or, for more information on resilience in Belfast, go to www.belfastcity.gov.uk/belfastresilience
