26 July 2006
Senator Freddie Cohen, the Minister for Planning and Environment attended the seventh Ministerial meeting of the British-Irish Council Environment Group in Guernsey yesterday.
The discussions followed on from the BIC Summit held in June where Chief Ministers agreed that adapting to unavoidable climate change was the amongst the most important environmental challenges to be faced.
Yesterday’s meeting agreed to focus the effort of the BIC Environment Group onto four climate related work streams: extreme events; indicators of adaptation to climate change; indicators of climate change; and coastal erosion and sea-level rise. Jersey will participate with other BIC jurisdictions in a series of expert groups and high level workshops to be held in 2006 and 2007.
Senator Cohen is delighted that these measures mirror objectives that have been set in the recently adopted Strategic Plan. He added "We are currently developing an Environment Citizenship scheme to be launched later this year which will make people more environmentally aware and promote practical ways in which we can all contribute", he said today, "How we adapt to climate change is an excellent example of where we can all make a real difference".
-ends-
Notes to Editors:
1. The British-Irish Council was established under the Strand Three Provisions of the Belfast Agreement as a forum for its members to exchange information, discuss, consult, and use best endeavours to reach agreement on co-operation on matters of mutual interest within the competence of the relevant Administrations.
2. The British Government was represented at the meeting by Ian Pearson MP, Minister of State for Climate Change and the Environment, who chaired the meeting and David Cairns, MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Northern Ireland Office. The Irish Government was represented by Batt O’Keefe TD, Minister of State, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The States of Guernsey by Deputy Bernard Flouquet Minister, Environment Department who also hosted the meeting. The Welsh Assembly Government was represented by Carwyn Jones AM, Minister for Environment, Planning and Countryside. The Isle of Man was represented by the John Rimington, MHK, Minister for Local Government and the Environment. Scotland was represented by Rhona Brankin, MSP, Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development and Jersey by Senator Freddie Cohen, Minister for Planning and Environment.
3. The Environmental Citizenship Scheme is being developed and will include initiatives for recycling, solar panels, improvements to insulation and other solutions.
4. A photograph should be available from mid morning 27 July 2006.
5. For further information, please contact Chris Newton on 441610 or Senator Freddie Cohen on 07797714550.
gov.je