Other News In Brief

Almac Group Joins SBTi

Almac Group has announced joining the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), which defines and promotes best practice in science-based target setting.

This development is the latest step taken by the Group on its path to reach net zero emissions by 2045.

By signing up to SBTi, Almac will set greenhouse gas reduction targets against stringent SBTi criteria. Once targets are set, they will be submitted for validation and approval and published externally. The SBTi initiative is a collaboration between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, the World Resources Institute (WRI), and the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF).

Joining SBTi follows a number of other recent measures taken by the Group to support their net zero goal. These include the expansion of accreditations with the International Standard Organisation (ISO), accepted as the gold standard in health, safety and environmental activity.

In the UK and EU Almac's sites are now accredited to ISO 50001:2018, a key standard in energy management and conservation. The Group has also expanded its ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 accreditations to include its integrated health and safety and environmental management systems at its site in Singapore. These represent important milestones along the previously announced global strategy to expand these internationally recognised accreditations to all of Almac's facilities.

All of these recent developments are key components of Almac's environmental strategy.

Proposal To Review Special Responsibility Allowance Falls

Alliance Councillor Sam Nelson has said he is disappointed after his proposal to review special responsibility allowances has fallen, having been voted down by Sinn Féin and the DUP.

Councillor Nelson questioned why Sinn Féin and the DUP have awarded themselves an additional £6,500 annual allowance for a role that seems to provide no value.

He said: "I put forward a simple proposal to seek a report into how money for the 'party secretary role' is being used, what the role entails and that we review how best to support the democratic work of smaller parties.

"To my knowledge, we are the only Council in NI to fund such a role and it is unclear the benefit that it provides to our council or what the actual role entails.

"As the only parties to benefit from the funding, it is unsurprising that Sinn Féin and the DUP have voted against the proposals. When distributing allowances we should be focused on fairness and value for money, rather than a carve-up between the two biggest parties."

DUP Welcomes Launch Of Tackling Violence Against Women And Girls Strategy

DUP Executive Office spokesperson, Emma Little-Pengelly MLA welcomed the launch of the Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy.

She said: "Far too many women and girls have experienced violence and harassment due to their sex. This continues for so many, urgent action is needed to increase efforts to tackle and eliminate gender-based violence, harassment, hate and inequality.

"Huge numbers of us have personal experience and will relate to much of what is in this report. I welcome the recognition of how widescale and complex the causes are, and that a collaborative whole-society approach is needed to tackle it.

"Women and girls are significantly disproportionally likely to experience gender-based violence, abuse and harassment. I therefore welcome this focus, while recognising and including all forms. The DUP has a strong record of driving change in this area, including action against violent pornography, modern slavery, sexual exploitation of women and gender-based violence.

"More must be done – including school-based provision on healthy relationships, changes in cultural attitudes and strengthening prevention and range of support for victims."