AQW 19882/17-22


Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim


Tabled Date: 03/06/2021
Answered On Date: 14/06/2021
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for a breakdown of the funding that has been set aside to implement the forthcoming Climate Change Bill, as proposed by his Department.


Answer:
The draft Climate Change Bill being proposed by my Department will set targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions with associated carbon budget and reporting obligations, and places duties on all Northern Ireland departments to take action to collectively achieve the targets.
Meeting the targets within the Bill will require emission reductions across all sectors. At this stage no funding has been set aside to implement the Bill nor would it be appropriate to do so. I would highlight however that there are already a number of actions being taken forward in my Department and by other Northern Ireland departments which will help to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.
If and when the Bill passes through the Assembly and becomes law, it will be for each department to identify the actions that need to be taken to reduce emissions within their areas of responsibility. Each department will have to determine how much of this can be done through planned activities, as well as identify further actions that may be necessary and bid for, obtain and allocate funding appropriately.
Ultimately the Northern Ireland Executive will have to ensure that funding is prioritised for actions that can make a significant difference in helping to meet the emission reduction targets in line with a balanced pathway to UK net zero.
While the full cost implications of achieving the targets set out within the Bill being proposed by my Department will to some extent depend on the policies and pathways adopted across all sectors it is clear that the associated funding required will be significantly less than the cost of implementing the Private Members Climate Change Bill, both in terms of achieving the target set within it and the additional costs of establishing and funding a Northern Ireland Climate Commissioner and Climate Office.
I would also direct you towards the UK Climate Change Committee advice on the potential extra costs and impacts of aiming for a target far beyond that which has been advised by them in their role as the statutory provider of independent expert advice on climate change to the UK and devolved governments. Their most recent advice on this matter can be viewed at - https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/letter-economic-costs-of-setting-and-delivering-a-2050-emissions-target-for-northern-ireland/