Driving Net Zero transformation of Mid South West region in Northern Ireland

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In June 2022 the NI Executive passed the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 setting targets for Northern Ireland to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, including a target for Net Zero emissions by 2050\. As manufacturing is a major contributing sector, it is critical to the achievement of Net Zero in Northern Ireland that GHG reduction targets will be met by industry in 2030, 2040 and 2050\. DAERA is currently developing an NI Climate Action Plan that is expected to reinforce the importance of localised solutions for Net Zero transition.The MSW region is governed by the three council partners of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council (ABC), Mid Ulster District Council (MUDC), and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council (FODC). The region represents over half of the Northern Ireland land mass and is home to 27,155 registered businesses, which represents 34% of the total business population in Northern Ireland. Key sectors include Agri-food, manufacturing and engineering, construction, and hospitality/services and the region hosts a proportionately higher number of industrial businesses than any other region in Northern Ireland.In 2020 the MSW Partner Councils launched their joint Regional Economic Strategy which included the delivery of an innovation and digital pillar around Net Zero and sustainability.In a recent survey of local businesses the MSW Partner Councils identified that the vast majority of manufacturing businesses within the MSW region have made little or no meaningful plans to achieve Net Zero in line with the Climate Change Act. Council research has also shown that key non-technical barriers to achieving Net Zero include access to finance, access to skills, and access to external expertise. Government support is needed to help address this problem.The aim of this collaborative project is to appoint a Net Zero Delivery Officer who will co-ordinate the regional development of both Council Net Zero action plans, and industry-led, sector-specific Net Zero opportunity assessments and action plans that will support the MSW region in the transition to Net Zero.