AQW 36492/22-27
Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford
Tabled Date: 28/11/2025
Answered On Date: 18/12/2025
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail (i) the actions her Department is taking to transition Northern Ireland away from the dependence on fossil fuels through; (ii) alternative fuels in public transport; (iii) further development of the electric vehicle charging network; and (iv) updates to planning to modernise requirements to meet climate change objectives.
Answer:
The actions my Department is taking to decarbonise the transport sector are outlined in the draft Climate Action Plan and focus on three policies. The ‘Switching Fuels’ policy is key to reducing dependence on fossil fuels in the transport sector. The ‘Shift’ policy aims to reduce vehicle emissions by shifting modes of transport away from private car journeys to sustainable travel alternatives, including public transport. The ‘Reduce’ policy considers the role of the planning system. My Department continues to support the ongoing decarbonisation of Translink’s bus fleet and provided funding of £66m to enable Translink to purchase 145 zero and low emission buses. A further £88m was provided in 2022 for the purchase of an additional 100 zero emission buses and associated EV charging infrastructure. My Department has also supported investment of approximately £19.2m in hydrogen bus technology. The provision and operation of publicly accessible electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure is a commercially led activity in the North. Major EV infrastructure providers, understanding the commercial benefits available, are making significant investments in developing EV Infrastructure that meets both current and future need. My Department has also provided funding to support the further development of the EV charging network, including match-funding for a Local Council consortium (9 councils) application to the Office for Zero community-based’s On Street Residential Charge Point Scheme to install 250 charging points and support for funding through the Shared Island Initiative, including the Sports Club EV Charge Point Scheme to rollout community based charging points at 48 sports clubs and the Green Hydrogen Refuelling Corridor project in collaboration with the Department of Transport. In addition to financial support, my Department has also been trailing EV charging solutions for residents without driveways to allow safe cable routing across footways. My third key transport decarbonisation policy aims to reduce vehicle emissions by reducing the need and length of journeys. I recently consulted on my Draft Transport Strategy 2035 which covers the key role of the planning system in supporting transport policies and the integration of transport and land use planning. Responses to the consultation are currently being considered. The planning system also has a role to play in supporting the wider efforts of government in contributing to climate requirements. For example, my Department recently published on 11 December 2025 a revision to the Strategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS) on the subject of renewable and low carbon energy. This new policy framework can help enable appropriate development and associated infrastructure that can make a positive contribution towards reducing emissions and decarbonising energy use across the region in the long-term public interest. Furthermore, last year my Department undertook a Call for Evidence on a potential focused review of the SPPS in relation to climate change and the responses received will help to inform the next steps which are currently being considered.
|