The road to Net Zero is beginning to feel like one of those never-ending road trips where the sat-nav keeps telling you to ‘turn around when possible’. Northern Ireland’s journey towards a cleaner, greener future is in motion, but are we actually on track? Or are we just spinning our wheels while the climate clock keeps ticking?

The big talk vs the real walk
Everyone loves talking about Net Zero. The word is thrown around by politicians, businesses and energy providers who all have their own roadmaps on how to achieve it. But when we look behind the buzzword, what is actually happening? The target is set for 2050, but our progress has been less than electrifying.

Northern Ireland’s challenges
In Northern Ireland, we face our own set of challenges when it comes to hitting the Net Zero target. Our energy infrastructure is outdated, and investment in renewable energy has been sluggish at best. Although we have made strides with wind energy (you will have noticed the fields of turbines), it is not enough to carry us to the finish line. Hydro? Solar? Biomass? We are still miles behind where we should be.

It is time for energy providers to step up
This is where Share Energy, as a new electricity provider, comes in. The big names in the industry have had their chance, but what have they achieved? It is time for a sector shake-up. Northern Ireland needs companies that are ready to push boundaries, to innovate and get us moving towards our goals. To do that, we need to embrace new technologies, invest in renewables and above all, put people and the planet at the heart of everything we do.

So, where are really?  The honest answer is, we’re still in the slow lane. We need more than just talk. We need real, tangible action that transforms how we generate, distribute, and use electricity. We can’t afford to wait for the big players to finally get their act together. The time for change is now and we are ready to drive it.

The road to Net Zero was never going to be smooth but it doesn’t have to be as bumpy as it has been. We need to steer Northern Ireland towards a future where clean, affordable energy is a reality for everyone and that requires effort from us all – from our politicians to businesses big and small.

The journey might be long, but with the right people in charge, we can get there faster than you think.