Recycling – Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 – Recycling & Net Zero Targets
The Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 came into effect on 6th of June 2022 and specifies the Waste Management sector as a priority area for the reduction of Greenhouse Gas emissions to contribute to NI’s Net Zero ambitions. According to the 2023 Greenhouse Gas Inventory, the waste management sector is responsible for 4.2% of NI’s total emissions and includes a key aim of achieving 70% recycling by 2030. A definition of this target is required before progress can be made.
Type of Change
Statutory
Affected Stakeholders
- Local Authorities
- Central Government
- Waste Management Operators
Changes
- To define the 70% recycling target.
- Achieve 70% of recycling by 2030.
Status
Officials have submitted the first draft of the waste management sector input to the Climate Action Plan that will contribute to meeting the commitments of the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022.
The policies and proposals included have been quantified, costed and reviewed to assess whether the requirements have been met before issuing a public consultation.
Officials have completed the many impact assessments required by the Act. These include equality screening, rural needs, strategic environmental and habitats regulation assessments.
Northern Ireland’s first draft Climate Action Plan 2023-2027 has been published for a 16-week consultation which closed on the 8th of October 2025. Public and sector specific engagement sessions have been rolled out during the consultation period. Updates to the waste sector CAP are ongoing post consultation, readying for Executive consideration.
DAERA aims to define the 70% recycling target using the current waste management strategy consultation.
Expected Timeline
Finalising CAP for Executive consideration May 2026.