Summary
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has been leading the development of the draft Climate Action Plan on behalf of the Northern Ireland Executive. The draft Climate Action Plan 2023-2027 has been published for a 16-week consultation and everyone is encouraged to respond. Your views matter.
We would encourage participation from all interested parties. The primary method for responses is online via Citizen Space.
Please scroll to the bottom of the page to access the “Respond online” link.
Documents
- Draft Climate Action Plan 2023-2027
- Consultation Document
- Easy Read
- Annex A - Quantification Report
- Annex B - Draft Climate Action Plan Development Milestones
- Annex C - Summary of Information - Stakeholder Engagement
- Annex D - Summary of Information - Role of Agriculture including Biogenic Methane
- Annex E - Summary of Information - Workforce, Employers and Communities
- Annex F - Summary of Information - Nature-based Solutions
- Annex G - Summary of Information - Carbon Leakage
- Annex H (i) - Financial, Social and Economic Impact Assessment
- Annex H (ii) - Overarching Financial, Social and Economic Impact Assessment
- Annex H (iii) - Equality Screening and Equality Impact Assessment
- Annex H (iv) - Rural Needs Impact Assessment
- Annex H (v) - Overarching Rural Needs Impact Assessment
- Annex H (ix) - Child Rights Impact Assessment
- Annex H (vi) - Strategic Environmental Assessment
- Annex H (vii) - Habitats Regulations Assessment
- Annex H (viii) - Regulatory Impact Assessment
Consultation description
In 2022, Northern Ireland passed its first climate legislation. The Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (the Act) sets an ambitious target to reduce Northern Ireland’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to net zero by 2050. This means by 2050 that we must remove at least as many emissions from our atmosphere as we produce each year.
The Act requires us to prepare and publish a Climate Action Plan every five years.
This plan sets out policies and proposals to achieve reductions in emissions and the actions which will enable this to happen. The focus of this draft Climate Action Plan is on meeting the first carbon budget. A carbon budget sets a limit on the maximum amount of GHG emissions that can be produced over a five-year period. In December 2024, the Assembly agreed the first three carbon budgets, confirmed the 2030 target and set the 2040 target. Keeping emissions within the limit set for each carbon budget period is important as it will set us on the right pathway to meet 2030, 2040 and 2050 targets, in line with the requirements of the legislation.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has coordinated the publication of this draft Climate Action Plan, with each Northern Ireland department identifying policies and proposals to reduce emissions to ensure that the first carbon budget is achieved.
DAERA will be working with all other departments to carry out significant stakeholder engagement during the 16 weeks of this consultation to meet with, receive feedback and hear the opinions of a wide range of stakeholders.
You can respond to this consultation online through our survey below. The survey is quick and simple to complete and seeks views on our vision, principles, proposed approach, delivery and monitoring.
A series of consultation sessions is planned to include sector specific workshops and a number of public consultation sessions.
Public Consultation Sessions
The public consultation sessions will be hosted, both in person and online. The venues, dates, times and registration details are listed below:
Online - 02 July 2025, 7pm-8pm
- Belfast - Belfast City Hall, Banqueting Hall, 20 August, 10am-12 noon
- Cookstown - Burnavon Arts & Cultural Centre, 27 August, 10am-12 noon
- Craigavon - Craigavon Civic and Conference Centre, 02 September, 10am-12 noon
- Enniskillen - Central Hall, South West College (Erne Campus), 04 September, 2pm-4pm
- Ballymena - The Braid Arts Centre, 09 September, 10am-12 noon
- Newry - Canal Court Hotel, 16 September, 10am-12 noon
- Ballynahinch - Millbrook Lodge Hotel, 17 September, 10am-12 noon
- Omagh - Strule Arts Centre, 23 September, 2pm-4pm
- Derry/Londonderry - The Great Hall, Ulster University, Magee Campus, 25 September, 2pm-4pm
- Coleraine - Northern Regional College, Innovation Centre, 01 October, 2pm-4pm
- Online - 02 October, 7pm-8pm
You can register for any of the above events here.
Ways to respond
When responding via email or in writing, please state whether you are responding as an individual or representing the views of an organisation (please state the name of the organisation). All responses should quote the following reference: "Consultation on Northern Ireland's draft Climate Action Plan 2023-2027".
Hard copies of the consultation document, and alternative formats, can be provided upon request from:
Climate Action Delivery Division
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
Clare House
303 Airport Road West
Belfast BT3 9ED
Tel: 028 9081 6904
Ways to respond
Consultation closed — responses are no longer being accepted.