AQW 3296/22-27

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 21/09/2022
Answered On Date: 27/10/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs what plans his Department has made to ensure Northern Ireland's participation in COP27.

Answer:

Following on from COP26 Officials in my Department have continued to engage with the UK Government and other Devolved Administrations in relation to planning for COP27 to ensure that Northern Ireland continues to support the UK Government and is factored into their delegation planning.

The UK Government has indicated that it does not expect any new or significant announcements to be made at COP27 with a focus towards the delivery of existing agreements. As such a significantly lower attendance of world leaders is expected at COP27 than attended COP26. Considering these factors, in combination with consideration of the associated emissions and costs of travel, I have requested that my Department explores attendance in a modest capacity.

Officials in my Department will be engaging with other Departments to establish their interest in attendance.