Climate Action & Green Growth
The draft Green Growth Strategy is the NI Executive’s multi-decade strategy, balancing climate, environment and the economy in NI.
Project Description
Since 2020, SIB has been supporting DAERA on Green Growth and Climate Action. Whilst DAERA is the lead department, this is an NICS wide collaborative project involving all government departments. This includes:
- developing the draft Green Growth Strategy;
- setting Carbon Budgets & Interim Targets; and
- preparation of Northern Ireland’s first Climate Action Plan (2023-2027).
Green Growth Strategy
The draft Green Growth Strategy is the Northern Ireland Executive’s multi-decade strategy, balancing climate, environment and the economy in Northern Ireland. It establishes Northern Ireland’s Green Growth vision and principles and sets out commitments to tackling the climate crisis.
Green Growth considers climate targets but also the wider environment and green jobs. Taking this collective approach enables the NI Executive to reassess our impact on the planet by doing things differently and in a less harmful way.
Setting Carbon Budgets and Interim Targets
In March 2022, the Northern Ireland Assembly passed the Climate Change Act (NI) 2022, committing the region to an ambitious target of Net Zero emissions by 2050. This legal duty is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland to recognise the need for strong collaboration in tackling climate change.
DAERA launched a 16 week consultation in June 2023 on the carbon-budget proposals. As well as consulting on the Carbon Budget, DAERA is working collaboratively with all NICS departments and are seeking views on the Climate Change Committee’s (CCC) Advice Report: The Path to Net Zero Northern Ireland published on 2 March 2023.
Climate Action Plan
Work is progressing at pace to develop Northern Ireland’s first ever Climate Action Plan and all NICS departments have a legislative duty to set out how they will reduce emissions.
The Climate Action Plan will set out Northern Ireland’s approach to meeting the carbon budget for 2023 to 2027 through a set of proposals and policies for emissions reductions. It will also establish a pathway towards the interim targets for 2030 and 2040 and the overall net zero by 2050 target.
Project Status
DAERA is currently working with each NICS department to prepare proposals and policies for inclusion in the Climate Action Plan to establish a pathway towards the interim targets for 2030 and 2040 and the overall net zero by 2050 target. DAERA is also engaging with the UK Climate Change Committee and local councils.
SIB Involvement
SIB is providing support to this NICS wide collaborative project by leading on the development of the Climate Action Plan, strategy design and development, and stakeholder engagement and communications.
For further information contact:
Kevin Hegarty, Director of Green Growth and Climate Action
E: Kevin.Hegarty@daera-ni.gov.uk
Johann Gallagher, Strategic Adviser, Climate Action Plan
E: Johann.Gallagher@daera-ni.gov.uk
Jonathon Fulton, Climate Action Plan Communications Lead
E: Jonathon.Fulton@daera-ni.gov.uk
