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Positive Futures and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful today announce, “Caring for our World”, a partnership delivering free, accessible climate training to organisations supporting people with a learning disability. The training takes a two-step approach, first educating and certifying staff who, once trained, then use the flexible resources provided to educate and certify the people with a learning disability they support, empowering them to take meaningful climate action.

This is the first climate change programme for people with a learning disability to be developed in Northern Ireland. The resources are flexible and inclusive and can be easily adapted to deliver full workshops or one-to-one sessions for those with complex needs.

This project is funded through the carrier bag levy by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), supporting climate education and sustainability initiatives across Northern Ireland.

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir MLA said, “I want to congratulate everyone involved today from Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful and Positive Futures who have worked together to develop these important training resources. I’m delighted that though the Carrier Bag Levy, my Department has been able to support the development of Caring for our World. We know that when climate information is made clear, engaging, relevant and accessible it empowers everyone to participate fully in both the conversation and with positive action. These resources will help to ensure that people with additional learning needs also have the tools to help bring about meaningful climate action in their communities.”

Eric Randall, Chief Executive, Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful:

“We are delighted to partner with Positive Futures in delivering this truly groundbreaking approach to climate training. Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful has always promoted climate action to as many groups as possible and, more importantly, removing the barriers that some parts of our community might face in accessing this vital information. Caring for our World will ensure that climate action resources are accessible to all in our society. There should be no barriers for those who want to take positive steps to combat the climate emergency”

Dr Agnes Lunny, Chief Executive, Positive Futures:

“As part of our Positive Green strategy for our organisation, we have been educating our staff on sustainability issues, particularly climate. We wanted this training to be inclusive of the people we support and the wider learning disabilities community. Caring for our World empowers staff and people with learning disabilities to take meaningful climate action with confidence. Importantly, it gives people context and rationale for their actions - many of which they may already be doing without realising just how impactful small, everyday behaviours can be in countering climate change.

Patrick McKinney is supported by Positive Futures and one of the first to complete the training:

“I like to help the planet; I recycle and save energy. I know a make a difference.’

Positive Futures has successfully piloted the training. Other organisations including Mainstay DRP; Camphill Community Glencraig; The Cedar Foundation; and NOW Group are set to follow in early 2026.

Organisations can register now by visiting https://bit.ly/Caring_for_our_World

Power NI, part of Energia Group, has announced a new partnership with Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful through the sponsorship of the Green Flag Award Programme, reinforcing a shared commitment between Power NI and Energia Group to supporting communities and high-quality environmental standards across Northern Ireland.

The Green Flag Award is an internationally recognised benchmark for the management of parks and public spaces, setting clear standards for safety, sustainability and local community engagement. Awarded sites must meet rigorous criteria and reapply annually to retain their status, ensuring consistently high standards.

There are currently 118 Green Flag–recognised sites across Northern Ireland, including traditional parks, community-managed green spaces supported by voluntary groups, and heritage sites recognised for excellence in the care of historic features.

Power NI’s sponsorship will support the continued delivery and growth of the Green Flag initiative locally, with a particular focus on expanding the network of community-led Green Flag sites. The programme plays an important role in ensuring people, regardless of where they live, have access to well-managed green and open spaces that support physical and mental wellbeing, environmental sustainability, and community pride.

The Green Flag Award Programme also promotes best practice across the green space sector, providing guidance, assessment and recognition for those organisations, staff members and volunteers responsible for managing public spaces. By recognising excellence and encouraging continuous improvement, the scheme strengthens long-term stewardship of local environments.

William Steele, the Director of Customer Solutions at Power NI, said: “We are proud to sponsor the Green Flag Award Programme in Northern Ireland and to partner with Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful on a programme that delivers tangible benefits for local communities.

“High-quality green spaces are vital to health, wellbeing and social connection, and this partnership supports the people and organisations working to maintain them,” he added.

“Our sponsorship will help grow the network of Green Flag community sites, encouraging local groups and residents to take an active role in caring for their environment and creating spaces that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.”

Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful has been working since 2000 to support people and nature thriving together, delivering environmental initiatives that help communities, councils and volunteers improve places and protect the natural environment.

The organisation is one of four charities supported by the Energia Group Greener Possibilities Fund. Aligned to UN SDG 11: Sustainable Communities and SDG 13: Climate Action, the Fund has also supported Grow NI this year, as well as Global Action Plan Ireland and FoodCloud in ROI. Administered by Community Foundation Ireland, the programme supports environmental and community-focused projects across the island of Ireland.

Eric Randall, CEO at Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, said: “We are delighted to partner with Power NI to deliver the Green Flag Programme in Northern Ireland. We are fortunate to have many beautiful green spaces in Northern Ireland – and their sustainable management plays a vital role in supporting healthy communities and biodiversity.

“One of the strengths of the Green Flag programme is that it provides an opportunity for community-led green spaces to be supported and recognised – and this partnership will enable us to do more in this area.”

Action Renewables has partnered with Eco-Schools, Northern Ireland’s largest environmental education programme, to support climate change awareness in schools.

Action Renewables, based in Belfast, are a leading provider of renewable energy expertise and provide support for renewable energy development, through trading electricity and renewable energy certificates.

Eco-Schools is an international environmental education programme, with local charity Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful operating the initiative in Northern Ireland. Action Renewables is delighted to support Eco-Schools NI by sponsoring their Climate Change topic.

This year has been a historic year for the Eco-Schools’ programme- with over fifty percent of schools in Northern Ireland reaching Green Flag status. The programme is designed to allow pupils to think about climate change on a global scale but act locally in their daily lives, to help ensure that our local communities and landscapes stay healthy.

The Eco-School’s Climate Change module counts as a step towards achieving the Internationally recognised Green Flag Award and supports students and teachers in learning about climate change and sustainability. The Climate Change topic explores a range of issues, including the causes of climate change and how to take action to prevent and reduce the effects of carbon on our environment.

Lana Moore, Head of Charity Delivery with Action Renewables said:

“Action Renewables is committed to tackling the impacts of climate change, and we’re excited that our sponsorship of the Climate Change topic will support the delivery of this programme. This partnership strengthens our charitable goals by helping to educate young people and teachers, while also supporting schools on their journey toward Green Flag status.”

Alice Buchanan, Education coordinator at Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful said:

"We are excited to partner with Action Renewables to deliver the Eco-Schools Climate Change topic to schools across Northern Ireland. As the climate crises continues growing, it is important now more than ever before that we take the time to teach our young people about climate change. Through the effective delivery of our range of environmental education programmes we can ensure that they feel empowered to take action”

Find out more: https://www.eco-schoolsni.org/cgi-bin/generic?instanceID=25

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Huhtamaki (Lurgan) has been unveiled as a new sponsor for the Eco-Schools programme in Northern Ireland.

Huhtamaki is a leading provider of sustainable packaging solutions for consumers around the world. Huhtamaki has over 100 years of history employing around 18,000 employees, operating in 36 countries and 101 locations around the world. The Huhtamaki Lurgan site produces fiber egg cartons, cup carriers and lids, and is based in Dollingstown, Co. Armagh.

Eco-Schools is an international environmental education programme, with local charity Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful operating the initiative in Northern Ireland. This year was a historic year for the programme- with over half of schools in Northern Ireland reaching Green Flag status. The Eco-Schools programme is designed to allow pupils to think global but act local to help ensure that our wonderful world can look forward to a cleaner, greener future.

The Eco-School’s Litter topic aims to raise awareness of the impact litter has on our environment and demonstrate that litter reduction and prevention is an ongoing process involving the whole school community. It also encourages students to take action to improve their local environment through litter-picking, awareness campaigns or community events.

Schools can also raise awareness in class and at assemblies, appoint litter monitors and install more bins or move existing ones to problem areas.

Huhtamaki’s ambition is to become the first choice in sustainable packaging solutions, embedding sustainability in everything they do. Huhtamaki (Lurgan) is the biggest re-processer of recycled fibre in Northern Ireland.

Jeff Kearon, Supply Chain Manager, Huhtamaki Lurgan, said:

“We’re delighted to be sponsoring the Eco Schools Litter Programme this year and supporting schools to integrate environmental education into daily learning and school culture. The programme fits perfectly with Huhtamaki’s sustainability ambitions, and we are looking forward to helping students make environmental improvements both in and outside the classroom.

Eric Randall, CEO at Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, said:

“We’re delighted to partner with Huhtamaki to deliver of the Eco-Schools Litter topic. As the biodiversity and climate crises continue, environmental education is more important now than ever.

The Eco-Schools programme supports schools and pupils to improve their local environment, while at the same time equipping young people with the skills and resilience needed to address climate challenges head on.”

Find out more: https://www.eco-schoolsni.org/cgi-bin/generic?instanceID=16

Research highlights that our shores are still awash with discarded waste

Eighty-four per cent of the litter found on Northern Ireland’s beaches is made from plastic, according to data published by environmental charity Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful.

The Marine Litter Report, which is now in its 12th year in 2024 and is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), shows that the average number of litter items present per 100 metres of beach surveyed in 2024 was 341, highlighting the need to continue our fight against litter.

Once again, the volume of plastics at the surveyed beaches featured prominently, reaching a staggering 84% of all litter recorded. Overall, 17,573 items of litter were detected on the beaches surveyed in 2024, demonstrating the need to move forward with proposals regarding a Deposit Return Scheme and Extended Producer Responsibility, as outlined in the Environmental Improvement Plan.

Other findings made available in the Marine Litter Report include the contents of the ‘Terrible Ten’ most observed litter culprits across beaches, which are dominated by plastic and polystyrene fragments sized under 2.5cm. This is followed by tangled fishing nets, rope, string, and cord with a diameter of less than 1cm. A key finding in this year's report is the significant amount of drink-related litter that has made the top ten.

The Marine Litter Report is an annual survey of 12 beaches around Northern Ireland’s coasts that are assessed by a team of trained operatives during the four seasons of the year. Drawing on the international OSPAR methodology, the results from each survey are added to a central database of 15 governments and the EU cooperate to protect the marine environment of the North-East Atlantic.

Eric Randall, Chief Executive of Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, said:

“This report highlights why we need to keep pushing forward on our fight against litter. The decrease in marine litter is welcome, but the rates are still far too high. It is easy to think that throwing away a plastic bottle or a straw has no consequence, but it is detrimental to our marine wildlife, and it hurts our local economy. This double whammy of damage must be turned around if we are to have truly thriving beaches and marinas.

I reaffirm Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful’s commitment to policies that move us away from the use of single-use plastics and encourage a circular economy where reuse becomes the norm. The findings in this report show why these changes are necessary in Northern Ireland.”

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir said: “I welcome the publication of the Marine Litter Report 2024 by Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful and extend my sincere thanks to the volunteers and contributors whose dedication to surveying and cleaning our beaches is making a real difference.

“The statistics highlight the persistent problem of litter, particularly plastic, in our marine environment. This is a form of pollution that we can all help prevent at its source. Everyone has a role to play in tackling this avoidable problem and I am confident that through collaboration, increased public awareness as well as strong policy interventions, we can turn the tide on beach litter.

“I am proud that my Department continues to fund the Marine Litter Report. The data collected since 2012 has helped build a robust evidence base that informs our actions and supports long-term environmental protection.”

Read the Marine Litter Report at www.keepnorthernirelandbeautiful.org/marinelitter.

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Notes to Editors

For more information about the Marine Litter Report 2024, please contact claire.irwin@keepnorthernirelandbeautiful.org

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