The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) commissioned a review of environmental governance in Northern Ireland last November.

The review was chaired by Dr Viviane Gravey from Queen’s University Belfast, who was supported by Diane Ruddock, retired from the National Trust, and John McCallister, Ulster Farmers’ Union.

In their final report, the panel have made 32 recommendations falling under the four key themes of clarity and coherence; meaningful independence; better compliance; and transparency and accountability.

Many of the recommendations are designed to have much clearer separation between policymaking and regulation, and to improve public confidence and trust in governance arrangements.

A key to achieving this, the authors say, is the recommendation that Northern Ireland’s environmental regulator should be independent of government, established as a non-departmental public body.

The independent panel proposes that the regulator should have oversight of important environmental issues such as air and water quality, waste management, nature and biodiversity and the marine environment, although the exact scope would need to be determined.

The panel acknowledges that greater independence requires clear accountability and cooperation between departments and other bodies.

The report also notes that addressing environmental challenges is not only a DAERA responsibility, but a task which all of government, and all of society, must address together.

Launching the report, Dr Gravey said: “Our report is published at a time when Northern Ireland’s environment is under mounting stress. The signals cannot be ignored.

“Governance reform is an essential element of our response to the climate and nature crises.

“While our call for an independent environmental regulator is significant, this must be accompanied by a broad range of meaningful changes across the governance system, some of which could be implemented very quickly.

“We believe our recommendations, taken as a whole, chart a practical and achievable way forward.

“Thus we present our report as a ‘call to action’ on behalf of all who want to see a flourishing environment underpinning a thriving society in Northern Ireland.”

Acknowledging receipt of the report, DAERA minister Andrew Muir said: “I would like to thank the panel for its work and dedication in carrying out this complex review.

“I am fully committed to better and stronger environmental governance and fully accept the review panel’s recommendation that a new independent environmental regulator for Northern Ireland should be established as a non-departmental public body.

“I intend to take a paper to the Executive and to address the Assembly on the next steps in the short time ahead. The need to press ahead has never been more evident to ensure we better protect our environment for future generations to enjoy.”