To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, pursuant to AQW 25512/17-22, to provide an update on his Department’s progress in achieving a new Eco-Department accreditation.

The proposal to seek DAERA’s accreditation as the world’s first Eco-Department is included in the draft Environment Strategy. This is an undertaking which will underpin my Department’s commitment to continuous improvement. To achieve this accreditation DAERA must undergo a rigorous 7-step assessment process which is overseen by The Foundation for Environmental Education. Successful certification can typically take up to 24 months to complete.

Officials from several parts of my Department are currently engaged in an initial scoping of the resources and funding required to advance this important initiative, and I am pleased to be able to confirm that Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful is assisting in taking this important work forward in its capacity as the Northern Ireland organisation responsible for both the Eco-Schools and Eco-Campus initiatives.