Greenhouse Launch for Council’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s new Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy was launched in a recently renovated greenhouse at Castlewellan Forest Park’s world famous Arboretum surrounded by an internationally renowned garden of plants on Friday, 9 October.

The event brought together councillors, Council staff, community representatives and climate and sustainability organisations from across the region, with the unusual launch setting deliberately chosen.

Given increasing concern surrounding the ‘greenhouse effect’ and greenhouse gas emissions, the 155 year-old forest park greenhouse, also known as the Stove house, provided the ideal setting to look to the future and begin a conversation about climate change, while the park’s surrounding gardens offered a chance to see how nature is already being impacted on and responding to a changing climate.

The event also had a strong local flavour, with guests enjoying a seasonal ‘sustainable food’ harvest lunch featuring local produce before heading into the gardens for a guided walk.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Deputy Chairperson, Councillor Doire Finn, said the launch of the Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy represented an important milestone for the organisation.

“The Strategy sets out our long-term ambition for a net zero, greener, healthier and sustainable district by 2050, while recognising that achieving this ambition will require action across the Council and throughout our wider community,” she said.

“Climate change presents significant challenges, but it also provides opportunities to improve the places where we live, work and visit. Through partnership and practical action, we can work towards a district that is more resilient, protects its natural environment and supports the wellbeing of our communities. I’m particularly delighted to welcome our colleagues from Louth County Council as opportunities arising from cross border collaboration on climate action will form an important element of working towards a prosperous and sustainable net zero region.”

Cllr Finn continued: “There could hardly be a more appropriate place to launch our Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy than the greenhouse at Castlewellan, with today’s event reminding us that climate change isn’t separate from everyday life. It connects our food, our gardens, our countryside, our biodiversity, our communities and the places where we live and work.

“The Strategy gives us a direction for the future but delivering it will be about the actions we take next. We will need to work together with our communities, businesses, partners and organisations across the district and cross border to turn our ambitions into action.”

Guests at the launch included elected representatives, staff from the Council’s climate team, senior staff from Louth County Council’s Climate Team and representatives from Sustainable NI and Climate NI, who have supported the Council on climate action and sustainability issues.

The launch was also attended by community representatives including from the local Dolmens Climate Action Network who have been working on a Sustainable Energy Communities Project and other sustainability initiatives. A group of pupils and teachers emphasised the importance of taking climate action now, to secure a more sustainable future for future generations.  

Following lunch, guests enjoyed a guided walk through the Castlewellan Forest Park gardens led by Head Gardener Alwyn Sinnamon. The tour explored plants from different climactic regions that are now thriving locally, offering a fascinating illustration of how they and ecosystems can respond to changing conditions. The impacts of climate change including previous damage caused by Storm Eowyn were also discussed.

Sinead Murphy, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s Director of Sustainability and Environment said, “The Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy provides us with a clear framework to work towards net zero, but a strategy only becomes meaningful when it leads to action.

“The next stage is about working with colleagues, partners and communities to identify and deliver practical measures that reduce emissions, strengthen resilience, protect nature and support a more sustainable way of living and working. We also want to continue learning from others and sharing our own experience. The participation of colleagues from Louth County Council, Climate NI and Sustainable NI, as well as our communities and young people at today’s event, reflects the collaborative approach that will be essential to achieving progress.”

Mrs Murphy added: “The Strategy includes actions to reduce emissions from Council operations, improve energy efficiency, support retrofitting and renewable energy, decarbonise our fleet and transport, protect and restore nature and biodiversity, prepare for climate impacts and support a more circular economy. We will now work with partners, communities and Council teams to take forward the Strategy and develop actions that embed sustainability across our activities and future developments and contribute towards the 2050 net zero vision.”