AQW 50249/22-27

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 02/07/2026
Answered On Date: 21/07/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy whether any assessment has been made of the potential economic costs to businesses and workers in Northern Ireland, as a result of extreme heat events.

Answer:

The extreme heat events experienced recently in parts of Europe are a timely reminder of the impacts arising from climate change and the importance of continuing to decarbonise our economy and energy system.

It is vitally important that we build resilience to the effects of climate change while supporting the transition to a more sustainable, resource-efficient and low-carbon economy.

While my Department has not assessed the specific economic costs of extreme heat events for businesses and workers in the North, we recognise that climate change poses significant risks to the economy. The Department remains committed to supporting the transition to a more sustainable and resilient economy through measures that encourage innovation, improve efficiency, strengthen long-term economic resilience and support decarbonisation. The Department is also a key contributor and active participant in the third Climate Change Adaptation Programme (NICCAP3), published by DAERA in March 2026, which seeks to strengthen the North’s resilience and preparedness for the impacts of climate change, including risks arising from extreme heat, flooding and severe weather events.