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2023-03-31-annual-report

Northern Ireland environment link 2022-23 Annual Report Our vision is for a valued, resilient, healthy environment 028 9045 5770 www.nienvironmentLink.org @EnvironmentNI

Contents

1. Overview 1
2. A View from NIEL 2
3. Environmental Policy & Advocacy 4
4. Partnership & Collaboraton 11
5. Membership & Capacity 18
6. Communicatons 25
7. Events 29
8. Image Credits 30
9. Finance 31

Northern Ireland Environment Link (NIEL) is the forum and networking body for organisations interested in the environment of Northern Ireland. It assists members to develop views on issues affecting the environment and to inform and influence policy and practice impacting on the natural and built environment of Northern Ireland. Our 71 Full Members represent 190,000 individuals, attract 1.5m visitors per annum and have an annual turnover of over £65 million in Northern Ireland. NIEL also has 43 Associate Members composed of statutory organisations, companies and individuals with an interest in the environment. Northern Ireland Environment Link’s Vision is for ‘a valued, resilient, healthy environment’.

Board Board Board
Chair Stephen Aston(Independent Member)
Vice Chair Joanne Sherwood(RSPB NI)
Hon. Treasurer MurrayWat(SupportngCommunites NI)
Co Secretary CraigMcGuicken(NIEL)
Trustees Declan Allison(Friends of the Earth) Joined Mar 2023
Paul Armstrong (The Woodland Trust)
William Deane(Acton Renewables) Joined Dec 2022
Ian Humphreys(KeepNorthern Ireland Beautful)
Karen Kerr(Queen’s UniversityBelfast)
Dawn Miskelly (Ulster Wildlife)
Ian Nutall(Independent Member) Resigned Jan 2023
LizzyPinkerton(Belfast Hills Partnership) Temporarily stepped down July 2022
Darren Rice(Ringof Gullion AONB) Joined Jun 2022
Diane Ruddock(Natonal Trust)
Caroline Winder(Acton Renewables) Resigned Jan 2023
Staf AmyBell – Climate NI Officer
Dr Jade Berman – Climate Resilience Researcher(TalX Project) Resigned Dec 2022
MalachyCampbell – Senior PolicyOfficer
Julie Corry– Public BodyReportingCoordinator Joined Sept 2022
Jill Eagleson – Policy& Projects Officer Resigned Dec 2022
Ruari Fairtlough – Finance Manager Resigned Jan 2023
Beth Frazer – Heritage for Health Programme Coordinator Joined Jan 2023
RoryFlanagan – Health and Environment Officer Joined Oct 2022, resigned Jan 2023
Michelle Grimes – Nourish NI Support Ofcer Joined May 2022
Stephen Jones – Climate NI Resilience Co-ordinator
Sean Kelly– Interim Chief Executive/Development Manager
Alan Kennedy-Asser – Climate Resilience Prog. Embedded Researcher Contract ended Nov 2022
Perla Mansour – Climate NI Mitigation Officer Resigned Oct 2022
Dr Jane McCullough – Climate NI Manager
CraigMcGuicken – Chief Executive Officer Resigned Jan 2023
Connor McLean – Policyand IT Officer
KerryMelville – Operations Manager/Nourish NI Coordinator
Iona Meyer – Network,Events and MembershipCoordinator
Jill Montgomery– Rural Resilience Project Coordinator
Leah O’Neill – Historic Environment Policyand Projects Officer
LizzyPinkerton – Urban Green Spaces NI Project Manager Joined July 2022
Brenda Roddy– Public BodyReportingCoordinator Joined Sept 2022
Deborah Shields – Finance Manager Joined Jan 2023
Will Stringer – Climate NI Assistant
Lawrence GeoffreyTingson – Economics and Environment Officer Joined Sept 2022
Erin Walker – Climate NI Assistant
Porta Woods – PolicyOfcer Resigned May 2022

A View from NIEL

Alexander Dumas finished his epic novel “The Count of Monte Christo” in 1844 when the world population was circa 1.2 billion. At the same time Britain was completing the first Industrial Revolution. The second had just begun across Europe and America. The consequence was the transformation of society from being largely agrarian to one based on machine manufacturing. The aftermath was the beginning of progressive conflict between nature and economic growth on a global scale.

According to the paleontologist, Henry Gee, mammal species tend to come and go rather rapidly, appearing, flourishing and disappearing in around 1 million years. In 2021 he predicted that habitat degradation, low genetic variation and declining fertility is setting up Homo sapiens not just for shrinkage but collapse. We are at around the 300,000 year mark and 30 years on since the awakening marked by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. “Sapiens” is derived from the Latin word meaning “wise” or “astute”. So, national leadership should be by action and delivery, not just promise.

Northern Ireland’s investment in the environment remains in competition with other demands. However, it would be fitting if, using the Treasury’s Public Expenditure Statistical Analysis (2023), our total per capita expenditure on Environmental Protection of circa £153 was raised to at least equal that of England at £191 and reach towards Scotland’s figure of £277.

We should not, as Dumas’ central character proclaims: “wait and hope”. We should not wait for someone else or another organisation to act. We should not hope for ‘Artificial Intelligence’ to remedy existential threats. We are all active consumers, who choose our politicians, who can make a difference. That is why the work of NIEL and its members is so vitally important in rising to the challenge. I am greatly encouraged by the array of successful partnerships and programmes from Urban Green Spaces to practical adaptation factsheets to help farmers with Rural Resilience. Ahead, there is amazing promise in the creation of the EARTH Hub and innovative work on Nutrient Management.

I am inspired by the investment made in NIEL by our sponsors and lifted by the support of our members and the Board. I am also delighted by the achievements of the whole team, Craig’s strong legacy and the huge potential for collaborative working that our new Chief Executive, Max Bryant, is already developing at pace. Thank you all.

Stephen Aston, NIEL Chair

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The span of this Annual Report saw a period of transition for NI Environment Link and I would like to recognise the fantastic work that was carried out by NIEL during Craig McGuicken's time as CEO. The following is testament to his and the teams' achievements during the past 12 months.

Over this period NIEL continued to operate in Northern Ireland's unique financial and political context. The lack of a decision-making Executive; the legacy impact of the pandemic and the ongoing uncertainty as Brexit became embedded in everyday life have all had an impact but the organisation still delivered for its members. Whilst communication; widespread sector engagement and advocacy for policy change has remained at the core of what we do, we have also brought a range of projects to a successful conclusion. These included managing the immediate impact of Brexit through direct working groups and Nature Matters; carrying out reports into the value of Natural Capital and examining how we can improve Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the sector. We also used several projects as test cases before moving to larger initiatives, particularly around the environment's impact on health and wellbeing which has led to the Heritage 4 Health project.

Whilst the sheer breadth and range of what NIEL does is impressive, what of the future? There is no doubt that there has never been a more challenging time for the environment and eNGOs. The impact of climate change is becoming ever more apparent; sustainable practices face challenges as the cost-of-living crisis impacts on communities and the environment is becoming a new battleground for culture warriors. How does NIEL build on its undoubted success to meet the challenges of the next decade and beyond?

Clearly the organisation has an incredibly strong base and history, as evidenced by this Annual Report, but I will be working with the Board, team and our members to review our strategy, update our business plan and ensure that our focus and priorities meet the future needs of our members and the wider sector. Already we are looking at how we can build and expand partnerships through projects such as EARTH Hub, with Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, and Heritage 4 Health, with Healthy Living Centre Alliance. Alongside these traditional collaborations we are exploring how we can work more effectively with both the commercial and agricultural sectors to deliver the changes that are needed to meet the targets outlined in the Climate Act and other legislation.

These are uncertain times but NIEL has an enviable track-record of facing into issues, adapting to the changing situation and working through partnership to deliver for its members and for Northern Ireland's environment. We need to build on this record of change and adaptation to meet the current domestic and global challenges that the world faces. We will continue to advocate and drive for a 'valued, resilient, healthy environment' for all.

I would like to conclude by thanking my team and the Board for all the hard work that they have put into driving the organisation's success and for the welcome and support that they have given me since I joined as CEO. I am hugely excited about NIEL’s future and look forward to working with you to enable us to continue to make a real and sustained difference.

Max Bryant, NIEL Chief Executive

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Introduction

This annual report details the activities and initiatives delivered by NIEL in accordance with the organisation’s purposes for the public benefit:

The Board of Directors have had due regard to Charity Commission guidance in the preparation of this report.

Strategic Aim 1: Environmental Policy & Advocacy

Advance the conservation, management and access of the environment through development of relevant policy and advocacy

DAERA Stakeholder Engagement

Given DAERA’s responsibilities in a wide range of agricultural and environmental issues, we continue to prioritise our interaction with DAERA and the NIEA in fulfilling our role in advancing our environmental policy and advocacy work.

As well as numerous one-to-one meetings throughout the year, we also represented the sector in a number of DAERA led Stakeholder forums including; the Green Growth Forum, DAERA Agri Policy Framework Stakeholder Group, and the Wildfire Stakeholder Forum.

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EU Exit

We continue to strive for the best possible outcome for the environment following the UK’s decision to leave the European Union. As a member of the Ad-Hoc Group for North-South and East-West Cooperation and the NI Civic Working Group on the Protocol, throughout the year we have taken the opportunity to raise environmental issues regarding the NI/Ireland Protocol and more recently the Windsor Framework with senior UK, Irish and EU officials in terms of the possible implications for our environment.

Environmental Governance

Although the Environment Act (2021) was approved by the NI Assembly on 22nd February 2022, and contained a range of beneficial environmental measures such as statutory duties on DAERA to publish an Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP), issue a policy statement on environmental principles, and the extension of the remit of the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) to include Northern Ireland, progress in many of these areas stalled with the collapse of the NI Assembly. Fortunately, progress has been made with the establishment of the OEP in NI.

Throughout the year, NIEL has held a number of formal and informal meetings with the OEP including an in-person meeting with their Board and Executive on 29th June 2022 to discuss the environmental issues most important to the sector and future OEP/NIEL engagement.

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Environmental Governance & Cooperation

Given that the island of Ireland (and its surrounding seas) can be viewed as a single biogeographic unit, a key element of our work continues to be cooperation with our colleagues in the Irish Environmental Network (IEN) when a cross-border or all-island approach to environmental issues is mutually beneficial.

This co-operation has continued to go from strength to strength, with financial support secured from Community Foundation Ireland and Community Foundation Northern Ireland’s joint ‘All-island fund’ to allow for refinement of future collaboration. This support led to the joint publication of the ‘ Linking the Irish Environment ’ interim report in January 2023. NIEL and IEN seek to enable the environment sector across the island of Ireland to cooperate and engage on an all-island and cross-border basis to deal with shared environmental challenges, risks, and opportunities, especially in light of new environmental arrangements post-Brexit. The Linking the Irish Environment report also included consideration of best practice on Cross-Border and EU/non-EU linkages.

In addition to the ‘North-South’ work outlined above, NIEL equally continues to further the ‘East-West’ dimension of our work through on-going participation in Environment Links UK. Environment Links UK comprises the combined resources and memberships of NIEL, Wildlife and Countryside Link (England), Scottish Environment Link, and Wales Environment Link and we have also worked with Greener UK to set out our recommendations for how the UK and devolved governments should work together to protect and enhance the environment as we leave the EU. As part of this collaboration we continued to highlight the risks arising from divergence in environmental regulation across the UK.

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Change Starts With Us

In autumn 2022, NIEL commissioned some NI-specific research on the level of engagement of ethnic minorities in the environment in NI.

The findings of this research are outlined in our Community Relations Council funded report, ‘Change Starts With Us: Increasing Minority Ethnic Participation in the NI Environment Sector’ .

The fnal report was shared with participants of our September 2022 workshop in advance of the planned launch in April 2023.

NIEL also plans to host a follow-up event with workshop participants in June 2023.

NI Protected Areas Network (NIPAN)

In autumn 2022, NIEL secured support from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and Action Renewables for a 3-year project to support the development of the NIPAN network and a programme of activities to ensure our special and protected landscapes are better protected and are places where: nature is recovering; they make a contribution to mitigating and adapting to climate change; engage and make a greater contribution to peoples’ and communities’ health and wellbeing and contribute to a strong and sustainable economy.

A key aspect of the funding was to provide a dedicated staff resource to help NIPAN achieve its goals.

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Putting Nature at the Heart of NI Decisions

Every decision we make has an impact on the natural world and we seldom consider the impacts of those decisions.

In 2020, we secured funding for a staff resource to facilitate a NIEL Natural Capital Working Group to produce a thought-provoking report on what nature provides for us as a society.

This report proposes that the concepts of natural capital and ecosystem services should be used as the basis for protecting and enhancing natural systems in order to deliver widespread and multiple benefits for the environment itself, for people and for the economy. The report also includes recommendations and a delivery plan as to how government in particular should take this work forward.

The full report can be accessed on the NIEL website.

Health

In recent years, NIEL has collaborated closely with our members to make progress on health and environmental issues. The health and wellbeing benefits of spending time in nature are now better understood and documented than ever before.

This growing body of evidence gives strong motivation to take action, to expand and enhance opportunities for people to connect with the natural world. By working together, NIEL and our partners can develop policies, programmes, and interventions to increase equitable access to high quality natural spaces and experiences. Realising the public health potential of contact with nature requires overcoming challenges like balancing conservation and access. The premise of improving health and wellbeing whilst also supporting ecosystems makes this work of vital importance.

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Heritage 4 Health (H4H)

The commencement of our National Lottery Heritage Fund project, Heritage 4 Health (H4H) and the appointment of the H4H Coordinator has seen the biggest body of activity in health this year. H4H is a new, innovative and regional model combining mental health recovery with natural heritage recovery. It is designed to bring direct benefits to health service users whose mental health has been adversely affected post pandemic; and at the same time, to involve more people in accessing our natural heritage sites and activities.

Programme participants are referred through our partnership with Healthy Living Centre Alliance across Northern Ireland and facilitated to help envisage their lives in the future with hope and positivity. It is anticipated that H4H will help people benefit from a variety of positive impacts. An increase in engagement with environmental heritage has the potential to increase visits, knowledge and understanding.

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Environmental Policy Consultations

NIEL responded to a wide range of policy consultations throughout the year including: Review of NI Bathing Waters, Ammonia Strategy for NI, Heritage 2033 Strategy, Circular Economy Strategy for NI and more. See below for the full list:

Consultaton Organisaton Submited
Review of Bathing Waters in Northern Ireland DAERA 8th April 2022
Wild Bird General Licences DAERA 21st July 2022
Leter to SoS for Levelling Up, Housing & Communites RE Levelling Up Bill DLUHC 16th August 2022
Heritage 2033 Strategy TNL Heritage Fund 2nd September 2022
UK Heritage Pulse Survey TNL Heritage Fund 7th September 2022
Leter to Ministers RE Retained EU Law Bill NI Executve & NIO 30th September 2022
A Future Network For All NIE Networks 7th November 2022
NIMTF response to the Republic of Ireland’s 4th Biodiversity Acton Plan DHLGH 8th November 2022
People & Place Strategy for NI Dept for Communites 7th December 2022
Review of UK Forestry Standard Forestry Commission 18th December 2022
Review of Permited Development Rights Dept for Infrastructure 22nd December 2022
Energy "One Stop Shop" Implementaton Plan Dept for the Economy 31st January 2023
Ammonia Strategy for Northern Ireland DAERA 3rd March 2023
Circular Economy Strategy for Northern Ireland Dept for the Economy 20th March 2023
Belfast Tree Strategy (pre-consultaton engagement) Belfast City Council Engagement ongoing
NI Biodiversity Strategy (pre-consultaton engagement) DAERA Engagement ongoing
Sewage Sludge Strategy (pre-consultaton engagement) NI Water Engagement ongoing

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Strategic Aim 2: Partnership & Collaboration:

Advance collaboration within and beyond the Environmental NGO sector

Task Forces & Working Groups (WGs)

NIEL met with working group chairs on 19th May 2022 to discuss the future of the NIEL working groups, the creation of a new policy group to co-ordinate working groups, and how to ensure wider participation from members.

We continue to encourage members to engage with Task Forces/Working Groups that are relevant to their own work areas – if you are interested in participating in any of these groups, please contact Malachy Campbell.

Sustainable Agricultural Policy Working Group (SAP)

NIEL’s Sustainable Agricultural Policy Working Group vision is for land to be used and managed in a way that is good for people, nature and the climate.

Fundamental reform of agriculture policy is required to transform our food and farming system to ensure that farmers and rural communities have a sustainable and prosperous future, to provide opportunities for nature to thrive, deliver ambitious climate targets and to enable access to healthy, sustainable, and affordable food.

With NI’s agricultural policies currently undergoing significant reform this has been a very busy year for SAP. Key outputs include briefings on Farming for Carbon, the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme, Farming with Nature, and Ammonia Emissions. As well as consultation responses, the Group has also undertaken a number of meetings with departmental officials and other influential bodies including the Office for Environmental Protection.

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NI Marine Task Force (NIMTF)

Following discussions with representatives from the fishing industry, in April 2022 the NIMTF worked alongside the Northern Ireland Fishermen’s Federation (NIFF) developing a joint response to the consultation on the draft Joint Fisheries Statement, making the case for environmentally sustainable and economically viable fisheries which safeguard the marine environment. NIMTF continue to engage positively with NIFF representatives.

The NIMTF made submissions to several other consultations including: Ireland’s 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan; Outline Strategy for Future Marine and Fisheries Support 2023-2028; and the Draft Renewable Energy Action Plan. NIMTF also contributed to a Blue Carbon Action Plan and MPA Strategy Review development workshop at Castle Espie. In November 2022, the NIMTF launched its Marine Vision at Stormont, outlining the priorities for marine recovery in NI. The Marine Vision continued to be highlighted at several political party conferences, including at a stall at the Alliance party conference in March 2023.

Freshwater Task Force (FWTF)

This year, FWTF reviewed its operations and developed a draft outline of priority areas for it to focus on. In April 2022, the FWTF provided input to the NIEL consultation response on Bathing Waters. The FWTF also provided input to the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) review of the implementation of law concerned with protecting the freshwater and coastal environment in England and Northern Ireland, focusing on the Water Framework Directive Regulations and their application through River Basin Management Plans. Further to this, the chair of the FWTF took up an invitation from the OEP to contribute to the ‘Project Bellisima’ stakeholder group which arose from that initial review.

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Climate Coalition Northern Ireland (CCNI)

On 6th June 2022, the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 received Royal Assent having been passed by the Assembly on 9th March 2022 before the Assembly was suspended. The main focus for the CCNI is now the implementation of this act, in particular the requirement for Climate Action Plans and the establishment of Climate Commissioner’s Office – both of which are to be completed by 6th June 2024.

Paragraph 29 in Part 3 of the Act requires DAERA to prepare and publish a report for each budgetary period setting out proposals and policies covering the areas of responsibility of each NI government department for meeting the carbon budget in that period. These are known as “climate action plans”.

Paragraph 50 of the Act requires The Executive Office to establish an independent office to be known as the “Northern Ireland Climate Commissioner” with plans for this office to be laid before the Assembly within the period of 2 years beginning the day on which the Act received Royal Assent.

Nature & Environmental Protection Group (NEP)

In July 2022, NEP provided input to a project by the Institute for European Environmental Policy UK on UK/EU and intra-UK environmental law and policy divergence in September 2022. See the report here.

NIEL has also been working closely with the Office of Environmental Protection (OEP) since it was established and the NEP group responded to the OEP call for evidence relating to the designation and management of protected sites in England and NI which will close in April 2023. This work on the NEP submission is ongoing as of March 2023.

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Climate Northern Ireland Team

The Climate NI team at NIEL delivered the Climate NI Programme and a number of other complimentary climate projects: Climate Change Act (NI) 2022: Public Body Reporting Stakeholder Engagement, Northern Ireland Housing Executive Adaptation Support, and the Transboundary Adaptation Learning Exchange (TalX).

Climate NI Programme

The Climate NI Programme is led by a Steering Group composed of 29 organisations from across academia, the business sector, the community and voluntary sector, local and central government. Over the past year, Climate NI delivered a broad programme of work funded by DAERA to increase understanding and promote adaptation and mitigation actions to address the climate emergency. Climate NI built on a broad range of existing partnerships and developed exciting new collaborations. Some key outcomes included:

Supporting Policy Development

Climate NI undertook a mid-programme review of the Civil Society and Local Government chapter of the Second Northern Ireland Climate Change Adaptation Programme. This included updates on 26 existing actions and the addition of 27 new actions from across the sector.

NI Adapts Toolkit & Local Government Climate Action Network (LGCAN)

The 11 NI Local Councils were provided support and guidance in the development of their climate adaptation plans through the Climate NI LGCAN and NI Adapts Planning Toolkit. The group co-developed climate planning methods and tools, and shared best practice on climate action from across NI, UK and other countries.

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Climate Change Training

Climate NI developed and delivered Climate Change Training across NI, including Council staff and Elected Members. With Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful we co-developed a new ‘Climate Smart Civil Service’ course which is being piloted across NI government departments.

Climate Change Act - Public Body Reporting

The Climate NI team supported DAERA on the pre-consultation stakeholder engagement for Public Body Reporting. A series of seven workshops were held with 151 attendees to gather their views on what Public Body Reporting could look like, and to help inform DAERA’s consultation. Analysis of the results from workshop participants was collated into reports and a cross-sectoral advisory group was established to provide feedback to DAERA.

Housing Executive Climate Adaptation Plan

Climate NI worked with the Housing Executive to begin development of a Climate Adaptation Plan. This work enabled piloting the NI Adapts Toolkit with a new user group. An adaptation working group has been set up and an initial workshop undertaken. The Climate NI team also developed a NI Social Housing Carbon Literacy Training toolkit and delivered training to 188 Housing Executive staff.

TalX - Transboundary Adaptation Learning Exchange (funded by EPA)

The TalX research project brought partners from Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland together to explore methodologies for community level adaptation projects. ‘Deep dive’ workshops were held with stakeholders across the five jurisdictions, exploring the capabilities needed for place-based adaptation.

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Rural Resilience Project

The Rural Resilience Project, started in May 2022, is designed to raise awareness amongst farmers and the wider agricultural sector of climate change risks and opportunities for farm businesses, showcasing a variety of practical approaches to adapt and prepare.

This project is delivered with input from a Steering Group composed of nine agri-sector bodies including Ulster Farmers’ Union, Dale Farm, Rural Support, CAFRE, AFBI, AgriSearch and NI Grain Trade Association, in consultation with environmental organisations.

NIEL hosted regional workshops with farmers across Northern Ireland and the feedback is being shared with agriculture and climate policymakers.

An adaptation factsheet was produced to highlight potential impacts of climate risks to farm businesses and best practice climate adaptation measures. The project received media coverage on BBC Radio Ulster ‘Farm Gate’ programme and in the local press.

The research elements of the project include the 2022 RESIL RISK Northern Ireland public perception survey on climate risks and adaptation, a research gap analysis and collaboration on papers with other academic institutions e.g. Bristol University and Queen’s University Belfast. The findings from this research will help to identify information gaps in the area of adaptation for the agri-sector.

The Rural Resilience project is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council through the Place-based Climate Action Network.

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Voluntary, Community & Social Enterprise (VCSE) Panel

NIEL continues to engage with local government to help advocate for the environment. The NIEL CEO is a member of Belfast City Council’s VCSE Panel.

The panel’s aims are:

Interim Regional Planning Commission

A key recommendation of the Public Accounts Committee report on Planning in Northern Ireland (March 2022) was that a Regional Planning Commission be established.

The Commission has been tasked to constructively review, identify improvements, and promote further accountability in planning in Northern Ireland.

NIEL and Climate NI are represented on the Commission.

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Strategic Aim 3: Membership and Capacity

Increase the capacity and sustainability of the environmental NGO sector in NI

Education for Sustainable Development

The Education for Sustainable Development Forum (ESDF) is a network that promotes a co-ordinated approach to the delivery of environmental education in NI. ESDF published 8 e-bulletins during the year, providing a range of information and updates for its members.

In December 2022, NIEL and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful submitted a joint application to the Dormant Accounts Fund for the creation of The EARTH Hub (Environmental Action for Resilience, Transformation and Health Hub), a unique online platform for environmental charities to collaborate and make resources, education and support centrally available to all sectors.

At this year's ESDF conference, we explored the theme of outdoor education using our local urban green spaces. A recording of the event can be accessed via the NIEL website.

The Joint Forum

The NIEL CEO represents the environment sector on the NICVA Joint Forum, which is made up of representatives from Government and the VCSE sector. The Forum provides a mechanism to facilitate open discussion of key issues which shape the relationship between the voluntary and public sectors. It also seeks to examine and influence the impact of public policy and support opportunities for greater co-operation and joint activity.

The Panel met in February, April and September 2022.

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Linking with the Historic Environment

NIEL continues to maintain a strong relationship with Historic Environment Division (HED) of the Department for Communities (DfC). As a key participant in the Historic Environment Stakeholders Group, we continue to work with HED to demonstrate the valuable role heritage plays in our society – by supporting our economy, strengthening our communities, and shaping our places while supporting sustainable development.

The CRESI-funded Historic Environment Projects and Policy Officer post has enabled NIEL to work directly with HED and the Historic Environment Stakeholders Group – who meet quarterly to discuss heritage sector matters. The Officer acts as secretariat and sits on the Advocacy & Communications and Place Shaping subgroups, both set up in late 2022.

The Place Shaping subgroup was formed with the task of developing heritage-led parameters for placemaking in NI. A key focus of the group was the current work being undertaken in Downpatrick by DfC/Strategic Investment Board using the MAG Living High Streets Craft Kit. The subgroup has developed a draft Heritage-Led Place Shaping report, which is currently under review with findings due to be presented at the next HED meeting in December.

NIEL worked with HED to develop and launch an improved version of the Heritage Delivers NI website in March 2023. The website serves as a hub for sharing and accessing information, encouraging active participation and engagement with the wider heritage sector, stakeholders, and the public. NIEL continue to manage the site and regularly update with news, events, case studies, and more.

NIEL also played a role in the Culture, Arts and Heritage (CAH) Strategy Task Force, convening focus meetings of heritage stakeholders and contributed to the CAH report “Investing in Creative Delivery”.

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Urban Green Spaces Programme

NIEL, together with National Trust, are leading a National Lottery Heritage Fund programme to research ‘ The Future of Urban Green Spaces in Northern Ireland’ . This one-year programme was initiated at the end of 2021-22, with the aim of gaining an understanding of the current issues and opportunities for urban green space, and setting out a long-term plan to maximise its better use.

Over the past year a broad range of research and engagement has taken place including initial mapping and data analysis, various workshops and public consultation, with the co-designed vision and route map to be launched in June 2023.

The project has engaged local government, citizens, VCSEs, Health Sector, Private Sector, Academics and other key stakeholders in the co-design of principles and priorities for a collaborative change programme.

The importance of Urban Green Space in Northern Ireland for so many different people and organisations; along with the need to join together to make these spaces work better for climate, health, nature and communities was very apparent throughout this process. There is a willingness to undertake the work, but also a need for investment and support to enable this to happen.

NI Environment Link and the National Trust will continue to work with the National Lottery Heritage Fund as well as other potential funders to see how this vision can be turned into a reality.

Further details of this work and the full report are available on the NIEL website.

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Nourish NI

Nourish NI is building, supporting and leading an emerging sustainable food movement across the country. We are the national NI partner for Sustainable Food Places, which is one of the fastest-growing social movements today. It is an alliance of cities, towns and boroughs, each of which is harnessing sustainable food as a vehicle for driving positive change.

Sustainable Food Places

On the 20th July 2022, food partnership coordinators came together in the Houses of Parliament to meet MPs, celebrate the achievements of food partnerships and call for action on food to address the rising cost of living. There are currently five active food partnerships in NI: Ards and North Down, Belfast City, Derry City & Strabane, Mid & East Antrim, and Newry, Mourne & Down. Nourish NI met up with partnership representatives to discuss the need for endorsement of the NI Food Strategy Framework and create a number of key asks moving forward.

Peas Please

Nourish NI are the national partners for the ‘Peas Please’ programme. We work in partnership to make vegetables more accessible and affordable by working with a range of different partners and organisations. We work with businesses, collecting Peas Please pledges, and engage with citizens through the volunteer Veg Advocates programme. We also continue to call for system change through our policy work. This report looks at the past year of Veg Advocates with Peas Please awarding 100 micro-grants to support the Advocates in running their own vegtastic activities as well as continuing to support the programme more generally. Catch up on the latest case studies and programme activities here.

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Vegetable Advocates Activities

We have 33 volunteer Veg Advocates that are involved in amazing community food initiatives. Our VAs are increasing access to vegetables for their communities through growing, cooking and sharing knowledge. In August 2022, we were able to visit Scullery O'Tullagh, where our VAs Tom and William showed us around their wonderful allotment in Ballymena. Nourish NI were shown the recent activities on site and how they aim to improve education around growing and produce to the local community. We plan to further develop this programme and increase access to minority groups.

Bridging the Gap

Nourish NI are working with Sustain, Alexandra Rose Charity, Growing Communities, Food Sense Wales, and Nourish Scotland to bring together organisations united in the belief that everyone has the right to healthy and affordable food that works for the planet. ‘Bridging the Gap’ is exploring ways to enable people on low incomes to access good food. The programme will run pilots across the four nations to demonstrate what might be possible with government intervention. The pilots will be based around six approaches that we co-produced with people working in food and farming. The evidence from the pilots will then be used to advocate for urgent national and local-level policy change.

NIEL Funding 4 the Environment

As part of our commitment to improve the sustainability and resilience of the environment sector, NIEL, with the support of NIEA, has renewed the ‘NIEL Funding 4 the Environment’ database until 2025. NIEL Funding 4 the Environment is hosted by Idox and features the latest information on government, Lottery and charitable funding opportunities. NIEL Funding 4 the Environment is freely accessible to members.

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Full Members

Action Renewables Balinderry Rivers Trust Belfast Charitable Society Belfast Civic Trust Belfast Healthy Cities Belfast Hills Partnership British Ecological Society British Trust for Ornithology Broughshane Improvement Committee Buglife Business in the Community Butterfly Conservation Carntogher Community Association Carrickfergus Community Cultivators Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust Cavehill Conservation Campaign Chartered Institute for Archaeologists Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management Chartered Institute of Environmental Health Colin Glen Trust Community Places Copeland Bird Observatory Council for British Archaeology Creggan Country Park Development Trusts NI EcoSeeds Enriched Earth Ecovillage Field Studies Council Field Studies Ireland Friends of the Earth NI Glens Red Squirrel Group Grass Roots Conservation Group Green Foundation Ireland Groundwork NI Holywell Trust Institute of Public Health in Ireland Jubilee Farm Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful Lagan Valley Regional Park

Leave No Trace Ireland Lecale Conservation Lough Erne Heritage Lough Neagh Partnership Mountaineering Ireland Mourne Heritage Trust National Trust Natural Copeland Nature Friendly Farming Network Northern Ireland Badger Group Northern Ireland Forest School Association Organic Centre Outdoor Recreation Northern Ireland Rare Breeds Survival Trust Ringhaddy Area Residents Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Rural Community Network Social Farms & Gardens St. Columb’s Park House Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership Supporting Communities NI Sustainable Northern Ireland Sustrans The Conservation Volunteers The Woodland Trust True Harvest Seeds Ulster Angling Federation Ulster Archaeological Society Ulster Federation of Rambling Clubs Ulster Wildlife Waste and Resources Action Programme Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust

23

Associate Members (Organisations)

Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council Delamont Country Park EcoTourism Ireland Education Authority - Belfast Region Education Authority - South Eastern Region Education Authority - Southern Region Energy Saving Trust Envirocentre

Food, Farming and Countryside Commission Glenhordial Permaculture Farm

Made In Trebania

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council RES UK and Ireland

The Hermitage Cottage The Northern Ireland Housing Executive

Associate Members (Individuals)

O’Neill, Leah O’Sullivan, Philip Orford, Julian Robinson, Lorraine Saunders, Jim Stelfox, Dawson Stephens, Jude Williams, Brian Workman, Sacha

Anderson, Zoe Casement, Anne Casement, Patrick Christie, Peter Christie, Sue Curry, Robin Foster, Bill Green, Frances Hernan, Robert Emmet Herron, Alastair Hillcox, Chris Hood, Isabel Jack, Brian Knott, David McAdam, Jim McCabe, Stephen McEvoy, Stephanie Moorhead, Heather Nelson, Roy

24

Strategic Aim 4: Communications

Communicate effectively with our members, partners, stakeholders and other target audiences.

NIEL e-Bulletin

The NIEL e-Bulletin features the latest environmental news, events, funding and job opportunities. The e-Bulletin maintains a very high open rate (53%). 10 issues were circulated in 2022-23.

Social Media

NIEL social media analytics for the 2022/2023 period showed a moderate increase in following, with the Facebook page growing from 1,920 followers to 2,531 followers (32% increase) and Twitter followers growing from 2,817 to 3,042 (8% increase). NIEL’s LinkedIn company profile has grown from 452 followers to 529 followers this year (17% increase).

NIEL website

Analytics continue to record interest in the NIEL website, with 29,189 visitors recorded in the April 2022 - March 2023 period. 65,000 total pageviews were recorded between April 2022 - March 2023.

Environmental News, Research and Analysis

In recognition of the key role that the European and other international institutions play in the development of environmental policy at the local level, NIEL continued to produce a monthly environmental news-sheet entitled Environmental News, Research and Analysis (ENRA) which provides the latest international research information and policy analysis relevant to Northern Ireland.

25

Staff Changes

Michelle Grimes joined Nourish NI as Nourish NI Support Officer in May 2022.

Portia Woods resigned as Policy Officer in May 2022.

Lizzy Pinkerton joined NIEL as Urban Green Spaces NI Project Manager in July 2022.

Julie Corry joined NIEL as Public Body Reporting Coordinator in September 2022.

Brenda Roddy joined NIEL as Public Body Reporting Coordinator in September 2022.

Perla Mansour resigned as Climate NI Mitigation Officer in October 2022.

Rory Flanagan joined NIEL as Health and Environment Officer in October 2022 and resigned in January 2023.

Alan Kennedy-Asser’s contract as UK Climate Resilience Programmed Embedded Researcher ended in November 2022.

Jade Berman resigned as Climate Resilience Researcher in December 2022.

Jill Eagleson resigned as Policy & Projects Officer in December 2022.

Ruari Fairtlough resigned as Finance Manager in January 2023.

Craig McGuicken resigned as Chief Executive Officer in January 2023.

Deborah Shields joined NIEL as Finance Manager in January 2023.

Beth Frazer joined NIEL as Heritage for Health Programme Coordinator in January 2023.

26

Staff Training

Funding

NIEL, along with many other environmental NGOs, receive core funding from NIEA’s Environment Fund. Esmée Fairbairn Foundation is our other main funder; as well as providing core funding they also supported our work on the NI Protected Areas Network (NIPAN). In autumn 2022, NIEL secured funding from Esmée and Action Renewables for a 3-year project to support the development of the NIPAN network.

We also received funding for the ‘Linking the Irish Environment’ project via the Community Foundation Ireland and Community Foundation Northern Ireland’s joint ‘All-island fund’.

The Economic and Social Research Council provided funding for our Rural Resilience project via the Place-based Climate Action Network (PCAN).

The Department for Communities provided funding via their Covid Recovery Employment & Skills Initiative for Heritage (CRESI) to support NIEL’s ongoing engagement with the heritage sector.

Other significant funding came from DAERA for the delivery of the Climate NI programme, which continues to go from strength to strength.

NIEL also received funding from the Climate Change Committee, Community Relations Council, The Food Foundation, NI Housing Executive, Sustain and Sustainable Food Places.

We are grateful to all our funders for their ongoing support.

27

Finances and Subscriptions

NIEL is a membership organisation and receives income from subscriptions. The organisation’s budget is prepared in December and finalised at the start of the following Financial Year. Accounts are prepared for each meeting of the Finance and Human Resources Committee (FHR), which meets four times per year, in advance of the Board. The financial report is included on all Board Agendas. The end of year accounts are reviewed at the FHR closest to the AGM, and sent out in advance to all Board Members.

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors met on the following dates:

The FHR Sub Committee met on the following dates:

The SIM Sub Committee did not meet.

Risk Register

The Risk Register is a standing item on the FHR Agenda and reviewed quarterly by the NIEL Board of Directors to ensure that emerging risks that could potentially impact on the organisation are identified and mitigation measures are agreed.

28

Events

NIEL hosted, co-hosted and participated in a broad range of events throughout the year. A full list of events is available on our website – www.nienvironmentlink.org/events

Event Locaton Date
Natonal Outdoor Recreaton Forum (NORF) meetng Lough Neagh
Discovery Centre		 31st March 2022
NIEL-DAERA Roundtable: Development of an Environmental
Principles Policy Statement in Northern Ireland		 Online 12th April 2022
NIEL Environmental Hustngs Event Online 21st April 2022
NIEL Working Group Review - Way Forward Meetng Online 19th May 2022
Climate Clever Communites Summit & Exhibiton ICC Belfast 15th June 2022
Environment Fund & PEACE Plus Update for eNGO Sector Online 17th June 2022
NIEL-ORNI-56DI Social Prescribing Evaluaton Toolkit Launch Online 28th July 2022
DAERA Biodiversity Strategy Workshop for eNGO Sector Online 29th July 2022
Becoming a Joy-Fuelled Climate Actvist Online 14th September 2022
Increasing Ethnic Diversity in the NI Environment Sector QUB 22nd September 2022
Future of Urban Green Spaces in NI Launch Online 4th October 2022
Open Local Government Report Launch Online 27th October 2022
Future of Urban Green Spaces in NI: Workshop 1 Developing a Vision Online 17th & 21st November 2022
Natonal Outdoor Recreaton Forum (NORF) meetng Glenavon Hotel
Cookstown		 18th November 2022
Building a resilient future: Farmer Workshop and Discussion Town Hall
Ballymoney		 23rd November 2022
NIEL AGM 2022 Online 1st December 2022
Future of Urban Green Spaces in NI: Workshop 2 Testng our Vision Online 5th & 8th December 2022
Building a resilient future: Farmer Workshop and Discussion Market House
Ballynahinch		 18th January 2023
Right Side of Outside - Steering Group Planning Session Online 7th February 2023
The Future of Urban Green Space in NI - Acton Plan Workshop Online 8th February 2023
Building a resilient future: Farmer Workshop and Discussion Ranfurly House
Dungannon		 20th February 2023
ESDF Conference 2023 Online 28th March 2023

29

Image Credits

Cover page Atlantic puffin (Pexels)

Pg. 4

Cinnabar moth (Pixabay) Parliament Buildings (Pixabay)

Pg.14 & Pg.15 Transboundary Adaptation Learning Exchange (TalX) events Photos courtesy of the TalX project

Pg.16

Sunset on farm (Pixabay)

Pg.17

Pg. 5 Brexit (Pixabay) Justice (Pixabay)

Pg.6

zoocreative / Hands Across the Divide / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Pg.7

Diverse human faces (iStock) Change Starts With Us Workshop (Dean Lee) Rocky coast (Pixabay)

Belfast City Hall (Pixabay) Belfast landscape (Pixabay)

Pg.18

Reading outdoors (Pixabay)

Pg.19

Historic Environment Stakeholders meeting (Liam McArdle Photography) Armagh Townscape Heritage Scheme site visit (Liam McArdle Photography) Photos courtesy of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council

Pg.8

Red squirrel (Pixabay) Cold Water Therapy at Hannas Close, Kilkeel with Mourne Open Water Coaching (Neil Keery Photography)

Pg.9

Participants of Verve Healthy Living Centre enjoying a 'Morning on the Hill' in Armagh. (Neil Keery Photography)

Pg.11

Hands holding seedling in a group (iStock) Collaboration (NIEL) Trees, farm, fence (Pixabay)

Pg.12 Common seal (Pixabay)

Pg.13 Bumblebee (Pixabay)

Pg.20

NI Urban Green Spaces launch event (NIEL)

Pg.21

Sustainable Food Places event (SFP) Peas Please infographic (Nourish NI)

Pg.22

Working together (Nourish NI) Bridging the Gap (Nourish NI) Piggy bank (Pixabay)

Pg.24 & Pg. 26

Bee orchid (Pixabay)

Pg.25 Smartphone (Pixabay) Social media (Pixabay) International flags (Pixabay)

Pg.27 & Pg.28 Red fox (Pixabay)

30

Company Registration Number NI034988 HMRC Charity Reference Number XR19598 NI Charities Commission Reference Number NIC101074

A private company limited by guarantee without share capital - exempt from using "limited"

Summary Financial Statement for the year ended 31st March 2023

Northern Ireland Environment Link

DIRECTORS’ STATEMENT ON THE SUMMARY FINANCIAL STATEMENT

The director/trustees present herewith the summary financial statement of Northern Ireland Environment Link for the year ended 31st March 2023 and confirm the following:

This directors’ statement was approved by the board of director/trustees on 30th November, 2023 and signed on its behalf by:

Stephen Aston Chair - Board of Directors / Trustees

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' STATEMENT TO THE MEMBERS OF NORTHERN IRELAND ENVIRONMENT LINK

We have examined the summary financial statement of Northern Ireland Environment Link.

Respective responsibilities of director / trustees and examiner

The director / trustees are responsible for preparing the summary financial statement in accordance with applicable law. Our responsibility is to report to you our opinion on the consistency of the summary financial statement with the full annual accounts and Directo / Trustees' Report, and its compliance with the relevant requirements of Section 427 of the Companies Act 2006 and the regulations made thereunder. We also read the other information contained in the summary financial statement and consider the implications for our report if we become aware of any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the summary financial statement.

Basis of opinion

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Opinion

In my opinion the summary financial statement is consistent with the full annual accounts and director / trustees' report of Northern Ireland Environment Link for the year ended 31st March 2023 and complies with the applicable requirements of Section 427 of the Companies Act 2006, and the regulations made thereunder.

———————————— Nigel V Skillen FCA Diamond & Skillen Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditor Sinclair House 89/101 Royal Avenue Belfast BT1 1FE

30th November, 2023

Northern Ireland Environment Link

Statement of Financial Activities

for the year ended 31st March 2023

Totals
2022
£
Totals
2023
£
Restricted
funds
£
General
Funds
(unrestricted)
£
Fund balances c/fwd at 31st March

Fund balances b/fwd at 1st April
Reconciliation of funds
Net movement in funds for the year
16

Gross transfers between funds
Transfers
5
Net income for the year
Total expenditure
4

Depreciation of assets
4

Other expenses
4

Legal and professional fees
on other items
4

Programme / event costs
4

Administration costs
4

Travel & training costs
4

Premises costs
4

Employee costs and expenses
on charitable activities
4

Advertising / PR costs
on raising funds
Expenditure
Total income
3

Investment income
from investments
3

Other servicing and accommodation
3

Sundry income
from other activities
3

Members servicing and accommodation
3

Event and project income
from charitable activities
3

Grants
3

Subscriptions
3

Donations
from donations and legacies
Income		 660
681
-
681
1,963
0
-
-
121,068
120,151
23,773
96,378
2,167
1,799
-
1,799
49,225
42,470
-
42,470
449,847
724,452
13,429
711,023
965
5,165
-
5,165
-
0
-
-
625,895
894,718
37,202
857,516
-
0
-
-
592
10
-
10
3,370
4,171
-
4,171
91,231
164,823
14,940
149,883
10,581
16,707
40
16,667
2,860
10,123
1,742
8,381
23,982
22,874
-
22,874
466,876
591,601
15,111
576,490
450
0
-
-
599,942
810,309
31,833
778,476
-
0
(7,325)
7,325
25,953
84,409
5,369
79,040
347,945
373,898
(4,041)
377,939
25,953
84,409
(1,956)
86,365
373,898
458,307
(5,997)
464,304

All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. All gains and losses in the year are included above.

Northern Ireland Environment Link

Statement of Financial Position (Balance Sheet) as at 31st March 2023

2022
£
2023
£
Total funds
12

Other projects
12

NIOGN Lottery Fund
12

TalX Fund
12

Interreg Fund
12

Open Government Network Pioneer Fund
12

HLF Catalyst Fund
Restricted income funds:
12

Other funds
12

General funds
Unrestricted income funds:
Accumulated funds
Net assets
10
Payables: amounts falling due within one year

Cash and cash equivalents
9

Receivables
Current Assets
8

Tangible assets
Non Current Assets		 213,626
201,131
192,801
284,925
-
-
406,427
486,056
(32,529)
(27,749)
373,898
458,307
-
-
377,941
464,304
10
10
(30)
-
(4,023)
(6,007)
-
-
-
-
-
-
377,941
464,304
373,898
458,307

The summary financial statement was approved by the Board of Directors on 30th November, 2023 and signed on their behalf by:

———————————— Stephen Aston Chairman of Director / Trustees

———————————— Murray Watt Director/Trustee, Hon Treasurer

89 Loopland Drive Belfast BT6 9DW

Northern Ireland Environment Link is funded by