Tackling the ecological crisis at Lough Neagh requires urgent interventions viewed through an environmental justice lens. This approach highlights three key areas:
Distributive justice: Issues around ownership and environmental governance.
Procedural justice: Gaps in accountability, conflicts of interest, lack of cross-border cooperation, and insufficient public participation in decision-making.
Recognition: Addressing the legacy of colonial dispossession.
To create a just and sustainable solution for Lough Neagh, seven essential aspects are identified:
Close accountability gaps.
Resolve conflicts of interest.
Strengthen regulation and enforcement.
Enhance cross-border cooperation.
Prioritize community wealth and decision-making.
Establish stable management structures.
Reconnect people to the land to address colonial dispossession.
Any initiatives aimed at “saving” Lough Neagh must address these root issues, ensuring community-driven solutions, transparency, and meaningful public involvement in the process.
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