Climate Action Plan public consultation events underway
Date published:
Members of the public were today urged to have their say on how Northern Ireland will address climate change as the first in a series of 10 public consultation events got underway.
Belfast City Hall hosted the consultation event on Northern Ireland’s first draft Climate Action Plan for 2023-27 which was launched in June.
With the 16 week consultation due to end on 8 October, DAERA Minister Andrew Muir said: “In recent weeks and years, we have seen the damaging and costly impacts of climate change around the world and closer to home from flash flooding, wildfires, warmer seas and more frequent and severe storms. No section of society is immune but we can still collectively address it.
“The launch of the draft Climate Action Plan is a significant milestone for Northern Ireland that will inform how we reduce carbon emissions, grow our green economy, protect our environment and improve our health and wellbeing. It isn’t just a plan. It’s a roadmap towards a more sustainable future. Everyone in society will have a key role to play in delivering it. That’s why it is important we hear from you in the coming weeks because this is a challenge that will not just impact us but future generations.”
Public consultation events will be held over the coming weeks in Cookstown, Craigavon, Enniskillen, Ballymena, Newry, Ballynahinch, Omagh, Derry/Londonderry and Coleraine, enabling members of the public to learn about the draft action plan and help shape its policies and proposals to reduce carbon emissions.
An online consultation event was also held on 2 July with an additional online consultation event planned for 2 October.
Full details of the consultation events are available online where you can you register to attend.
Notes to editors:
1. The Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 sets a net zero target for 2050 in line with Net Zero commitments across the UK and Ireland. The base year for Net Zero for carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide emissions is 1990, and 1995 for the fluorinated gases.
2. In addition, the Climate Change (Carbon Budgets 2023-2037) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024 map out targets for achieving this in a planned and gradual way up to 2050:
- setting the first carbon budget (2023-27) at an average annual reduction of 33%;
- setting the second carbon budget (2028-32) at an average annual reduction of 48%; and
- setting the third carbon budget (2033-37) at an average annual reduction of 62%.
3. A public consultation has also been launched on the fourth Carbon Budget (2038-42) and can be accessed on the DAERA website before it closes on 17 November.
4. The Climate Change (2040 Emissions Target) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2040 sets an emissions target of an at least 77% reduction by 2040 against baseline.
5. The draft Climate Action Plan sets out proposals for how NI will reduce its emissions.
6. Download a copy of Climate Action Plan consultation document.
7. Follow DAERA on X formerly called Twitter and Facebook.
8. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk or telephone: 028 9016 3460.
9. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours’ service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.