Economy Minister Deirdre Hargey has said embracing the path to net zero is both a moral necessity and a tremendous economic opportunity.
The Minster was speaking as she jointly opened ‘Energy Ireland’ alongside Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan today in Dublin. The Minister presented an Economic vision for the North that prioritises decarbonisation and creates a just transition to net zero that delivers economic prosperity, increases productivity, and addresses regional imbalances for all.
Addressing over 300 delegates from across the energy sector, Ms Hargey said:
“I welcome the opportunity to speak at today’s Energy Ireland conference. Decarbonisation is a key objective of our Economic Vision. This Vision embraces the transition towards net zero as both a moral necessity, and a tremendous economic opportunity.
“As a small region, the North is already leveraging our strengths in innovative engineering and advanced manufacturing alongside capitalising on our unique dual-market access to deliver low and zero carbon solutions that are in global demand. The solutions this island needs to deliver net zero are the solutions that the rest of the world needs too. It only takes a tiny proportion of this global market opportunity to deliver significant prosperity for citizens across Ireland.”
The Minister concluded by committing to work in partnership with Minister Ryan to deliver net zero:
"I will continue to work collaboratively and strategically with Minister Ryan, government, business, and academia across the island on the investments needed to realise our renewable energy aspirations so that the whole island can be a beacon in the delivery of net zero.”
Notes to editors:
- To read the Minister’s speech in full: www.economy-ni.gov.uk/ministers-speech-energy-ireland-conference-22-may-2024
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