Discussion Document on a Northern Ireland Climate Change Bill

Overview

The Department of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs (DAERA) is seeking views on policy options for a Climate Change Bill for Northern Ireland. 

The Discussion Document has been produced in both full-length and 'Easy Read' versions. Both versions are available below, under the heading 'Related'). 

The 'Easy Read' version contains much less detail. It has been produced to help and encourage responses from younger citizens, and those with reading difficulties.  We welcome responses from all sectors, age-groups, organisations and individuals.

The full-length Discussion Document sets the detailed context for the discussion, by providing: 

• overview of Climate Change’s priority status within public and political agendas on a national and international level, including key advancements made in a political and legal context in tackling climate change;
• the current legal and policy framework for tackling Climate Change in Northern Ireland;
• Northern Ireland’s current greenhouse gas emissions status, sequestration status of greenhouse gases and greenhouse gas projections for the future; 
• the latest rationale, options appraisal and policy proposals for a Northern Ireland Climate Change Bill (legislation / law): and
• A list of the Questions in this Consultation, for your reference only.

It is important to note that this document is for discussion only, it does not introduce any new policies at this stage.  

Please provide your responses in this online survey if you can.

We would also encourage you to keep your responses as concise as possible.

We ask this because we expect to receive many responses, and this will help us to process them all in a timely manner.  

The Discussion Documents are also available on the consultation page of the DAERA website at:  www.daera-ni.gov.uk/consultations/climatechangediscussion

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When responding to this Consultation you may also wish to consider:

• A letter which was issued by Lord Deben, the Chair of the UK Climate Change Committee, to Minister Poots, on 8^th December 2020, including an Annex – ‘Why the Sixth Carbon Budget is right for Northern Ireland’ 

 Letter from UK Climate Change Committee to Minister Poots

• A Report, which includes climate change advice for Northern Ireland, published by the UK Climate Change Committee on 9th December 2020 – ‘The Sixth Carbon Budget’.

UK Climate Change Committee - 'The Sixth Carbon Budget'

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Why your views matter

To allow the people of Northern Ireland to have their say, and provide their views, on what a Climate Change Bill for Northern Ireland should look like.

To enable us to take these views into account, in developing a Climate Change Bill for Northern Ireland.

What happens next

This Consultation has now closed. 

Please note: Only responses which were received before the Consultation closed, at midnight on 1st February 2021, will be used in the analysis of responses. Any responses which arrive after this time will be read, but they cannot be included in the analysis.