AQW 3463/22-27

Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 23/09/2022
Answered On Date: 26/10/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs whether his Department is on target to produce the first three carbon budget plans by December 2023, as outlined in the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022.

Answer:

The Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 places a duty on my Department to set carbon budgets to cover 5-year periods beginning from 2023-27. Carbon budgets are not plans, rather are legal caps on the total amount of net emissions allowed in Northern Ireland within the relevant 5-year period.

In line with the requirements of the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022, my officials have commenced work to set the first three 5-year carbon budgets for Northern Ireland by the end of 2023. They have formally written to, and have met with, the UK Climate Change Committee to seek advice on the first three carbon budgets and this engagement process is ongoing.

In addition, my officials are also progressing work in respect of the development of Northern Ireland’s first Climate Action Plan, which has to be published by the end of December 2023. This plan will include policies and proposals from each Northern Ireland Department and will set out how we aim to meet the first carbon budget (covering the period 2023-27) and the longer-term emission reduction targets.