Green Growth Strategy

Green Growth Commitments

1. EMBEDDING GREEN GROWTH - we will ensure that Green Growth is central to all our policy and budgetary decisions by introducing a Green Growth test and by making Green Growth a budgetary priority.
2. FROM ACT TO ACTION - we will implement the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022, consistent with the UK and NI’s ambitions to achieve net zero by 2050. To deliver this, we will publish five-yearly Climate Action Plans.
3. A FAIR TRANSITION - we will ensure that the transition to Net Zero is a “Just Transition,” fair for all our citizens, supported and overseen by a Just Transition Commission, as required under the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022.
4. PEOPLE FIRST - we commit to putting citizens at the heart of our Green Growth policy development and delivery by ensuring ongoing engagement with young people and other key groups, including establishing a Citizen Assembly Panel.
5. SUPPORTING BEHAVIOUR CHANGE - we will promote and support behaviour change by providing low carbon options, infrastructure, timely information, advice and support to citizens and businesses to enable them to make informed choices about the transition to a net zero emissions economy.
6. EVIDENCE BASED DECISION MAKING - we will ensure our decisions and actions associated with the transition to net zero emissions, green jobs and a clean environment are underpinned by robust and timely evidence and science.
7. INVESTING IN GREEN GROWTH - we will transform our economy by working proactively with businesses, communities, and all parts of government to maximise funding and investment opportunities for Green Growth and promote innovation, skills, research, and technology.
8. LEADING BY EXAMPLE - we will provide public sector leadership by delivering a government estate and fleet with net zero operational carbon emissions, and ensure a Green Growth aligned procurement strategy for all government spend.
9. WORKING WITH OTHERS - we commit to ensuring all government departments and the wider public sector work together to maximise our decarbonisation and environmental improvement efforts and will work in partnership with stakeholders and our neighbours across the UK and Ireland.
10. MEASURING PROGRESS - we will ensure sound governance and reporting arrangements for the delivery of the Green Growth Strategy and Climate Action Plan, including the establishment of the independent office of the Northern Ireland Climate Commissioner.

Type of Change

The Northern Ireland Assembly passed its first climate change legislation, the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 which commits Northern Ireland to a 2050 net zero target. It also passed the Environmental Improvement Plan in September 2024 under the Environment Act (2021). Alongside the Department for the Economy’s Economic Vision, these interventions provide a foundational base to drive the delivery of the Green Growth Strategy. The Executive commitments will be realised through a series of actions which are identified throughout the strategy. As the strategy is multi-decade these actions are not exhaustive and further actions will be developed as new opportunities emerge.

Affected Stakeholders

• Ministers and Government Departments
• Local Government
• Private Sector
• Voluntary and Community Sectors
• Citizens

Changes

The draft Green Growth Strategy has been revised and updated to incorporate feedback from a public consultation exercise. It has been further updated to ensure its accuracy, relevance and timeliness.

Status

The strategy is being considered by the Minister, prior to submission to, and consideration by the Executive.

Expected Timeline

The finalised strategy will be published once it has been approved by the NI Executive and work is continuing to achieve this at the earliest opportunity.