With the climate change emergency now labelled a ‘code red for humanity’ by UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Translink has launched a new climate campaign, under the banner #LetsChangeTogether, calling for organisations and individuals to join with it to make vital changes to achieve net-zero emissions across Northern Ireland.
Climate Positive Strategy – becoming net-zero by 2040
This campaign coincides with the publication of Translink’s own Climate Positive Strategy ahead of the UN COP26 Global Climate Conference in Glasgow in November, where it has pledged to become net-zero by 2040, ahead of government targets, and climate positive by 2050.
Climate positive means going beyond achieving net zero to create an environmental benefit by removing additional carbon dioxide from the environment.
Public transport as a climate solution
Public transport will be vital for the economic, social, and environmental wellbeing of our society, helping Northern Ireland reach a low carbon economy. Transport accounts for 35% of all consumed energy in Northern Ireland and 23% of all greenhouse gas emissions, mostly from private car use.
Speaking about the campaign, Chris Conway (pictured above at the launch of #LetsChangeTogether), Translink Group Chief Executive said:
“COP26 presents a unique opportunity to place the spotlight on sustainable, active travel as an easy way to take climate action. We know that travelling by public transport today in NI reduces our carbon footprint by more than 50% (on a per passenger km). This will be even greater as we transform to zero-emissions fleet in the years ahead.
Doing more of the same is no longer an option, air pollution is a serious health risk, the covid lockdowns gave us a glimpse of a less congested and cleaner Northern Ireland.”
Encouraging both individuals and businesses to make a change
Translink’s new climate campaign includes a range of novel ways for both individuals and businesses to get involved. These include a call for public Climate Pledges illustrating climate actions which will be showcased to inspire others, the launch of a new Sustainable Travel Charter, encouraging businesses to enthuse employees to adopt more active travel modes as part of their green recovery plans and an innovative Youth Ambassador programme – The Changemakers – giving young people a platform to promote their views on the climate crises.
Appointment of first Changemakers ambassador
18 year old, Emer Rafferty (pictured above at the launch of #LetsChangeTogether) from Co. Armagh has been appointed as the first ambassador of Translink’s Changemakers programme. With a background in environmentalism, Emer is also an ambassador for the COP26 climate change summit and is committed to tackling the climate crisis head on. Speaking about the campaign, she said:
“I am thrilled to be the first Changemaker ambassador and I hope it will provide a positive platform for the views of young people. Change making requires people to innovate, connect and speak up and I look forward to our young voices being heard and acted upon”, Emer concluded.
For more information about Translink’s #LetsChangeTogether and to find out how you can become involved in the campaign visit www.translink.co.uk/letschangetogether
Translink at #COP26 - Translink’s Transformative Journey to Decarbonise Public Transport in Northern Ireland
Learn about Translink’s actions to revolutionise and decarbonise NI’s public transport system, transitioning to renewable energy technologies and accelerating net zero emissions across their bus and train fleet and wider business by 2040.
If you have been inspired by this article you can also join the global climate action movement by making a pledge to change for nature. Click on the link below.
