We are facing a dual crisis on climate change and biodiversity.
In the Seanad, I led opposition to Bills that threatened hedgerows, peatlands and pollinators. I sought protection for our oceans and green spaces, and a ban on microbeads. On the
Climate Action Committee, I pressed for ambitious targets, an exit from all fossil fuels, and investment in retrofitting, public transport and cycling. A just
transition is about quality employment, sustainable communities and economic policies that respect the environment. As a climate activist for over a
decade, I am ready to drive the urgent action we need.
Dear Friends,
Wishing you a happy and hopeful New Year despite the challenging circumstances. I want to welcome you to my latest newsletter. and express again my deep thanks to all who entrusted me with their votes and supported my re-election to the Seanad last year and all those who have been in touch since to share their concerns and ideas.
JOC on Climate publishes report with 78 recommendations to improve Climate Bill.
After eight weeks of intense pre-legislative scrutiny, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action’s today published its official report on the ‘Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2020’ including 78 “significant recommendations on how the Bill should be strengthened.
Senator Higgins welcomes Ireland's joining of EU countries calling for an alignment of EU corona virus response and Green New Deal. Over the course of the last week, Senator Higgins and other pressed the government to join with other EU countries in calling for this response.
On Friday, Senator Alice-Mary Higgins returned to the Seanad to pass the Health Emergency legislation in response to COVID-19.
Senator Alice-Mary Higgins has been an activist on climate change for over a decade and a consistent voice calling for action in the Seanad and as a member of the Oireachtas Climate Action committee.
She has been a leading voice calling for protection of hedgerows and peatlands, for investment in cycling and sustainable transport, for marine protections, for accountability for corporations, for fossil fuel divestment, for commitment to multilateral targets and processes and for a just transition.
Senator Alice-Mary Higgins today, 14 February, lodged her nomination papers to seek re-election to the next Seanad on the National University of Ireland (NUI) panel.
Dear Friends,
We are entering what many are calling ‘the Decade of Action’. We have ten years to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals – an ambitious global blueprint for a positive shared future. We also have just ten years to limit the impacts of climate change.
Speaking at the launch of the "Ensuring Good Future Jobs" essay collecting at the National University of Ireland office, Senator Alice-Mary Higgins said "The essays in this collection from TASC and the Carnegie UK Trust are the kind of joined up thinking we urgently need around the future of work. They offer a detailed examination of work and employment policy that recognises and considers the reality of people's lived experience while also looking at the wider context of society with huge care needs, a new digital landscape, a changing climate and important choices to make."
After debating the Wildlife Bill for 12 hours in the Seanad, Senator Higgins was happy to report last-minute wins in two areas. Senator Higgins succeeded in persuading the Minister to accept her amendment which requires a report to be produced on the condition, restoration and rewetting potential of ALL blanket bog National Heritage Areas before any order to remove protection of these bogs can be made. Which means no golf course or other ill-conceived developments in these National Heritage Areas for the foreseeable future. The Minister also accepted Senator Higgins' amendment to require a report on how turbury (peat cutting) rights operate – to include recommendations on a definition of ‘household use’ – important not only in terms of climate action but also a just transition.