Economy Spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA has called out the glaring hypocrisy of Sinn Féin and the SDLP representatives including the First Minister, who have welcomed the resumption of the Londonderry to Dublin air route, despite their continued public commitment to the 2050 net-zero climate target. Armstrong’s comments come as the Alliance Environment Minister Andrew Muir confirmed that international aviation emissions aren’t recorded in greenhouse gas emissions targets.

After seeking clarity from the environment minister on how the new route would impact the targets, Diana Armstrong said,

“This 43-minute flight, which will undoubtedly contribute to carbon emissions, is being treated as an exception by parties who otherwise preach climate responsibility. The Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir, has admitted that while emissions from international aviation are not currently counted in Northern Ireland’s carbon budget, they are still captured under UK and EU emissions trading schemes. In other words, the environmental impact is real, even if politically convenient to ignore.

“It is deeply concerning that those who champion climate legislation are now silent when it comes to short haul flights that serve political optics rather than environmental responsibility. If climate targets are to mean anything, they must apply consistently, not selectively, a clear flaw from Climate Change Act 2022.

“The only reassuring takeaway from this response from the Alliance Minister is that at least Alliance now publicly acknowledge Dublin as a foreign capital. That is progress of sorts. But it raises a fundamental question, does the First Minister share this view of her Executive colleague?”