Environment Minister Alex Attwood blasted by Unesco over Causeway resort 

Environment Minister Alex Attwood has been accused of presiding over a "broken planning system" after a damning report by Unesco criticised the handling of a planned £100m golf resort development that threatens the setting of the Giant's Causeway.

Northern Ireland has dirtiest beaches in UK 

Northern Ireland's beaches were the most littered in the UK last year, a survey showed.

Northern Ireland beaches are worst for litter: survey 

Northern Ireland’s beaches are the most littered in the UK — and the problem is getting worse, a survey has found.

New turbines propelling us towards a greener future 

Eighty-six wind farms across Northern Ireland have now been given the go-ahead as part of our drive towards renewables – not to mention many more single turbine planning applications.

Europe bans neonicotinoid pesticides blamed for destroying bee population 

Environmentalists hailed a "victory for bees" yesterday after the European Union voted for a ban on the nerve-agent pesticides blamed for the dramatic decline global bee populations.

Granting of licence to look for oil and gas sparks fury 

Green campaigners are calling for Northern Ireland to halt its "rush for fossil fuels" as 11 new council areas are opened up to oil and gas exploration.

Gone in a flash... the rubbish blighting a beloved beauty spot 

A small ‘flash mob’ of litter pickers converged on the Six Mile Water last week to clean up everything from supermarket trolleys to a tractor wheel.

Strangford Lough turbine to run continuously see what happens when mammals swim close to blades 

A large tidal turbine bolted to the bed of Strangford Lough is to run continuously through the summer – so the operators can see what happens when seals and porpoises swim close to the blades.

Council to debate reintroduction of cash-for-bottles scheme 

Years ago, a gang of kids could have made cash retrieving the treasure trove of glass bottles embedded in the banks of the River Bann and selling them back to shops.

Council to debate reintroduction of cash-for-bottles scheme 

Years ago, a gang of kids could have made cash retrieving the treasure trove of glass bottles embedded in the banks of the River Bann and selling them back to shops.

In the bag... volunteers clean 18 miles of canal 

It was the biggest challenge of our Big Spring Clean campaign yet – clearing up litter from the entire 18-mile length of the Newry Canal, all at the same time.

Castle Espie birds back in full voice 

Nature's finest singers have been silenced by the grim weather that has swept Northern Ireland in recent weeks – but now they're back in full voice.

Walk of the Week: Mussenden Temple & Downhill Demesne 

There cannot be a more wild and dramatic headland in Northern Ireland than Downhill Estate.

Trees felled, fields scarred... the landscape torn up for a road plan that's been shelved 

On one farm a 300-year-old oak tree was felled to stop bats from roosting in it.

Walk of the Week: Island Hill and North Strangford Nature Reserve 

Island Hill offers access to Strangford Lough and provides amazing views of the Lough and the flora and fauna of the area. The area welcomes the Arctic migrants.

5p carrier bag charge 'too low' 

The 5p charge on plastic bags which came into force on Monday should be more, according to an environmental campaigner.

Little coal tit tries to revive its dead relative 

Charge scheme for bags introduced in Northern Ireland 

Charging for bags came into force in Northern Ireland today as the environment minister pledged to dramatically cut the number used.

Frank Mitchell: Lifting litter is an obsession with me 

Broadcaster Frank Mitchell has described how he was told off for missing a bit of litter by a holidaymaker who mistook him for a council worker.

Slurry fears drive anglers to take lough battle to Europe 

Anglers have lodged a complaint with Europe over an exemption that allows Northern Irish farmers to spread slurry on their land during the winter closed season.