In a controversial move, an official ad campaign on climate change has been banned in Northern Ireland.

The controversial decision to block the TV and radio advert was taken by Stormont’s environment minister Sammy Wilson, who does not believe humans are to blame for gobal warming.

The DUP assembly member has faced a storm of criticism over the move, with environmentalists demanding his resignation.

However, the East Antrim MP, who said he has no intention of resigning, described the UK government commissioned "Act on CO₂" ads as an “insiduous propaganda campaign.”

The ads urge people to reduce energy consumption and cut carbon dioxide output by turning electrical equipment off stand-by mode. But Mr Wilson has had the slots banned, claiming that the ads wrongly claim that there is a link between global warming and carbon dioxide ommisions.

“The idea that I should resign because I own a different view from other people on what is a very controversial topic is nonsense,” he said, adding: “It just shows the intolerance of these people if they think I should resign because I have a different opinion.” 

However, Brian Wilson, of the Green Party has put forward a motion calling for the removal of the Minister from office for refusing to respond to climate change.

“Our environment minister is being grossly irresponsible in refusing to encourage energy efficiency,” said the North Down assembly member.

"This is totally incompatible with him being minister for the environment."

Friends of the Earth NI director John Woods stated that it is wrong that Sammy Wilson’s personal views are preventing the message of climate change from getting to the public: “It's bad enough that we have an environment minister who doesn't accept that human activity is driving climate change, but trying to block advice to people on how they can help tackle it is completely irresponsible.”

First Minister and Democratic Uniost Party (DUP) leader Peter Robinson said his colleague's remarks were personal and did not reflect party policy: "He has provoked a debate in Northern Ireland which I suspect would not have taken place had he not made the comments," said Mr Robinson.

"Every individual must be entitled to their view on the issue, however the view of the DUP is on record and is in our manifesto and it is that view that we will uphold at the executive."