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Muir: Climate Action Plan consultation is milestone step to tackle climate change in Northern Ireland
The launch of a 16-week public consultation on Northern Ireland’s first Climate Action Plan was described today as a “milestone moment” by the DAERA Minister Andrew Muir
Image via DAERA
The draft Climate Action Plan, a legal requirement of the Climate Change Act that was passed by the NI Assembly in 2022, sets out the path that Northern Ireland will take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050 and demonstrates how we will achieve our first carbon budget target of a 33% average annual reduction between 2023 and 2027 compared to the baseline.
Finalising and consulting on the draft Climate Action Plan is a commitment in the Programme for Government, with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) leading on the development of the plan on behalf of the Northern Ireland Executive. The draft Climate Action Plan includes policies and proposals identified by departments to reduce emissions across all sectors of our economy and society.
Recognising the scale and urgency of the challenges, the Minister said: “I am fully committed to delivering Northern Ireland’s first Climate Action Plan – one that is grounded in robust science and evidence, shaped by stakeholder voices, necessarily ambitious and aligned with our pledge to a just transition.
“This isn’t just a plan. It’s a roadmap towards a more sustainable future. The publication of the draft Climate Action Plan is a milestone moment that will inform how we reduce our emissions, grow our green economy, protect our environment and improve our health and wellbeing.”
The Minister added: “Since taking up office last year, my department has taken significant steps to address climate change in a way that is just and fair and to set a clear pathway to meet our emissions reduction targets. We may have lost pace due the absence of devolved institutions but I am determined to move forward conscious, we can ill afford to delay or defer action.”
Stakeholders across a range of sectors have been engaged in the development of the draft Climate Action Plan. The consultation will provide an opportunity to seek views from a wider range of stakeholders, including the public. A series of consultation events, including sector specific sessions, will be held across Northern Ireland throughout the 16 weeks. Details can be found on the DAERA website.
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