The launch of a 16-week public consultation on Northern Ireland's
first Climate Action Plan was described today as a
“milestone moment” by the DAERA Minister .
The draft Climate Action Plan, a legal requirement of the Climate
Change Act that was passed by the NI Assembly in 2022, sets out
the path that Northern Ireland will take to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions to net zero by 2050 and demonstrates how we will
achieve our first carbon budget target of a 33% average annual
reduction between 2023 and 2027 compared to the baseline.
Finalising and consulting on the draft Climate Action Plan is a
commitment in the Programme for Government, with the Department
of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) leading on
the development of the plan on behalf of the Northern Ireland
Executive. The draft Climate Action Plan includes policies and
proposals identified by departments to reduce emissions across
all sectors of our economy and society.
Recognising the scale and urgency of the challenges, the Minister
said: “I am fully committed to delivering Northern
Ireland's first Climate Action Plan – one that is grounded in
robust science and evidence, shaped by stakeholder voices,
necessarily ambitious and aligned with our pledge to a just
transition.
“This isn't just a plan. It's a roadmap towards a more
sustainable future. The publication of the draft Climate Action
Plan is a milestone moment that will inform how we reduce our
emissions, grow our green economy, protect our
environment and improve our health and wellbeing.”
The Minister added: “Since taking up office last year, my
department has taken significant steps to address climate change
in a way that is just and fair and to set a clear pathway to meet
our emissions reduction targets. We may have lost pace due the
absence of devolved institutions but I am determined to move
forward conscious, we can ill afford to delay or defer
action.”
Stakeholders across a range of sectors have been engaged in the
development of the draft Climate Action Plan. The consultation
will provide an opportunity to seek views from a wider range of
stakeholders, including the public. A series of consultation
events, including sector specific sessions, will be held across
Northern Ireland throughout the 16 weeks. Details can be found on
the DAERA website.
The Minister added: “We have seen the damaging and costly
impacts of climate change around the world and closer to home
from flash flooding, wildfires and more frequent and severe
storms. No section of society is immune. It is essential we take
action and I would encourage everyone to take part in this
16-week consultation. I will continue to work closely with
Executive colleagues to deliver our shared commitments on climate
change and I look forward to engaging with stakeholders as part
of the consultation.”
Met Office Chief Scientist, Prof Stephen Belcher, said: “We can
see our climate is rapidly changing in our observations. We have
a responsibility to future generations to reduce emissions of
greenhouse gases to Net Zero to stabilise the climate. And we
also have a responsibility to citizens now and to future
generations to accelerate our efforts to adapt to the extreme
weather events we are seeing now in our changing climate. Action
plans such as this are a vital step in this journey and the
consultation on this plan is a valuable opportunity for the
public to engage with this process.”
In addition to the draft Climate Action Plan, other climate
initiatives currently being progressed by DAERA include a
consultation on the third Northern Ireland Climate Change
Adaptation Programme which opened on 9 June and closes on 4
August, work to progress the establishment of the Just Transition
Commission following consultation earlier this year and a
forthcoming consultation on Northern Ireland's fourth carbon
budget.
Notes to editors:
2. The Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 sets a net zero
target for 2050 in line with Net Zero commitments across the UK
and Ireland. The base year for Net Zero for carbon dioxide,
methane and nitrous oxide emissions is 1990, and 1995 for the
fluorinated gases
3. In addition, the Climate Change (Carbon Budgets 2023-2037)
Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 map out targets for achieving
this in the run-up to 2050
- setting the first carbon budget (2023-27) at an average
annual reduction of 33%;
- setting the second carbon budget (2028-32) at an average
annual reduction of 48%; and
- setting the third carbon budget (2033-37) at an average
annual reduction of 62%.
4. The Climate Change (2040 Emissions Target) Regulations
(Northern Ireland) 2040 sets an emissions target of an at least
77% reduction by 2040 against baseline.
5. The draft Climate Action Plan sets out proposals for how NI
will reduce its emissions. The Climate Change Adaptation
Programme brings together the actions that will be taken to adapt
to and to improve NI's resilience to the impacts of climate
change.
6. A copy of Climate Action Plan consultation document is
available at the following link: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/consultations/public-consultation-northern-irelands-draft-climate-action-plan-2023-2027
