The Green Party / Comhaontas Glas adopted at its foundation these seven principles by consensus:
- The impact of society on the environment should not be ecologically disruptive.
- Conservation of resources is vital to a sustainable society.
- All political, social and economic decisions should be taken at the lowest effective level.
- Society should be guided by self-reliance and co-operation at all levels.
- As caretakers of the Earth, we have the responsibility to pass it on in a fit and healthy state.
- The need for world peace overrides national and commercial interests.
- The poverty of two-thirds of the world’s family demands a redistribution of the world’s resources.
These principles were elaborated and expanded in the revised 1997 Constitution.
We Are For…
- More decision-making at Community level.
- Open government based on rights-based legislation enforceable by the citizen.
- A basic income for all citizens.
- Enterprise – moving taxation from income onto scarce resources or onto pollution
- Competitive markets benefiting consumers – regulated to protect the environment, not producers.
- Renewable energy and Recycling.
- Full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement
- Small scale and family businesses using local resources.
- Emphasis on public transport.
- Sustainable Development in clustered rural settlements or brown-field high-density development in cities.
- Non-violent direct action.
We Are Against…
- Pollution of air, sea and land.
- The depopulation of the countryside and over-crowding in the cities.
- Monopolies, Oligopolies and Cartels controlling markets e.g. banking in N.I.
- Control of industry by large national and multinational companies.
- Nuclear weapons and nuclear power.
- Land and property speculation.
- Both state and paramilitary violence in Northern Ireland.
- The exploitation of the third world.
- Exploitation of animals.
