The Climate & Ecological Crisis
The climate and ecological emergency is the greatest challenge we face today.
Climate change is already affecting Derry and Strabane — more flooding, extreme weather, rising energy costs, and pressure on nature and public services. Current climate change is driven by human activities that release greenhouse gases, intensifying the natural "Greenhouse Effect" and warming the planet.
The below chart shows the temperature change in Derry & Strabane between 1884 and 2023.
City & District Emissions
- 20% fall in emissions between 2000 and 2022 — down from 2.2kt to 1.7kt CO₂e, thanks to cleaner electricity, more efficient buildings and vehicles, and a changing economy.
- Where emissions come from: 65% land-use & industry, 15% homes, 12% transport, 4% public & commercial buildings, 3% waste.
NI's Climate Change Act (2022) set a legal target of Net Zero by 2050, with a 46% methane reduction target.
Getting to Net Zero means balancing what we emit with what we absorb — and it's an opportunity create warmer, healthier homes, cleaner air, thriving green spaces, new skills and jobs, and a stronger, more resilient economy. The decisions we make today will shape Derry and Strabane for generations to come.
Climate action makes a real difference to everyday life:
- Prepare for impacts — make homes, services and communities more resilient to flooding, storms and extreme weather.
- Restore nature — protect biodiversity and green spaces, and use nature to tackle climate change.
- Improve health — cleaner air, healthier travel, warmer homes, increased food resilience, better access to nature.
- Support the economy — investment, skills, innovation and green jobs.
- Build stronger communities — give local people a voice, so everyone benefits from the transition.