DAERA Minister Outlines Path To Net Zero For Northern Ireland

DAERA Minister, Andrew Muir, has outlined a roadmap for Northern Ireland to transition to a net-zero economy. Speaking at the 2024 Re[Act] Festival in Belfast, he emphasised the urgent need for ambitious climate action.

Muir welcomed the UK's increased climate ambitions as announced at COP29 and stressed the importance of Northern Ireland's role in this global effort. He highlighted the positive momentum and the growing number of individuals and sectors taking steps towards decarbonisation.

The Minister believes that a transition to a net-zero economy will not only bring significant economic benefits, such as investment, job creation, and energy security, but also fulfill a moral obligation to future generations.

Speaking at Belfast's 2024 Re[Act] Festival, Minister Muir said: "It is not lost on me that over 200 people lost their lives, in recent floods in Spain. That's why I would concur completely with the PMs assessment that this is the issue of our time, this is the issue for our generation.

"I will continue to engage with UK Government to support UK wide climate ambitions and make the case for additional funding for Northern Ireland so that we can achieve a fair and just transition to Net Zero, benefitting from all of the opportunities that presents along the way.

"One of the key legislative requirements arising from our Climate Change Act is the establishment of a Just Transition Commission.

"I am delighted therefore to have been able to inform the Assembly earlier this week that I have launched a public consultation on its establishment.

"The commission is designed to ensure the transition to a net zero society is fair and that no-one is left behind or disproportionately affected," the Minister added. Reaffirming the need for transformative change, the Minister said: "It's clear that the damaging impacts of climate change are here in Northern Ireland, and not just elsewhere.  We must play our part in the work that is being discussed at COP29 in Azerbaijan this week. In Northern Ireland we are in a strong position to make rapid progress."

Focussing on the significance of the theme of this years' Re[Act] festival 'People; Place; and Planet', the Minister said; "'Planet' is one of the three key missions of the draft Programme for Government, demonstrating that the importance of taking climate action, of a just and fair transition, reducing emissions and supporting Green Growth is being recognised at the top level of NI Government Policy.

"This will help drive the transformative change needed to meet our net zero obligations and provide confidence and clarity around how we will do this in a fair and balanced way. There is no doubt that people want to take a more sustainable path for Northern Ireland.

"One of the key legislative requirements arising from our Climate Change Act is the establishment of a Just Transition Commission.

"I am delighted therefore that I was able to announce earlier this week to the Assembly that I have today launched a public consultation on its establishment.

"The commission is designed to ensure the transition to a net zero society is fair and that no-one is left behind or disproportionately affected."

Emphasising the need to work together in a planned and structured way the Minister highlighted the key requirements of the Climate Change (Northern Ireland) Act 2022 and gave an update on the development of our carbon budgets, the climate action plan, and the work which is being progressed to address the overriding issue of ensuring fairness as we transition from a fossil fuel-based economy.

The Minister reaffirmed that we must take a whole society and economy approach to addressing both our emissions and ensuring that we adapt our systems and infrastructure to improve our resilience to the impacts of climate change.