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John was a key architect in setting up the Sustainable Energy Association, the first and only trade association for the renewable energy industry in Ireland, and acts as the organizations Secretary. The Association lobbies for cheaper, cleaner energy for all homes and businesses and represents approximately 1600 employees.
“The Northern Ireland Assembly has made some terrible decisions regarding renewable energy in the past year. The very popular RECONNECT grants were cut by Nigel Dodds, these grants helped many householders install wind and solar energy into their homes. Then Peter Robinson refused to include renewables as part of Northern Ireland’s building standards. The Green Party also believes that people living in social housing should be entitled to renewable energy.”
An active member of the Newcastle community, John is the chairperson of the Tollymore Sustainable Community Association which has been campaigning for the protection of green belts and improved infrastructure in the area including flood protection. The TSCA has also been examining the problem of over development in the area.
John is also the Treasurer of the Newcastle Sustainable Community Planning Forum which has been campaigned for better sewage treatment provision in Newcastle and cleaner bathing waters. As well as monitoring planning issues affecting the Newcastle area.
“Newcastle is a seaside resort, very reliant on the tourism industry; as a consequence it is vitally important that our bathing water is of a very high standard. For too long untreated sewerage has been polluting our rivers and beaches, this is no longer acceptable. If we don’t clean up our act then we will face huge fines from Europe. This is what our MLAs don’t tell us.”
John also works as the Legal Research Manager of Sustainable Energy Development Ltd.
Speaking at the Green Party Regional Conference in Belfast in Febuary 2007 John said: “There arew no reasons for the introduction of nuclear power for Northern Ireland, and many, many reasons against. Building nuclear power plants will only increase our carbon emissions in the short term and distract vital funding from the renewables sector and from reducing electricity demand, as well as putting our health and safety at risk”.
John has been an active member of the Green Party fighting the 2005 Local Elections and the 2007 Assembly Elections. He has also campaigned for Green Party representatives during the 2007 general election in the Republic of Ireland. He is currently the minutes secretary of the Northern Ireland Green Party and its Human Rights spokesperson, drafting a submission to the Consultative Group on the Past. He is also Communications Officer for the Down Green Party and the South Down reprehensive to the Green Party National Council.
If you want to get in touch with John please contact him on: johnhardy@downgreens.com
Or if you want to learn more about the Green Party in South Down check out their website on: www.downgreens.com