The Assembly today granted legislative consent without dissent to the principle of the extension of the provisions of the UK Climate Change Bill to Northern Ireland.
Environment Minister Arlene Foster commended the positive contribution by the Environment Committee in legislative scrutiny in progressing the consent motion purposefully. She said:
“The UK government and each of the devolved administrations are committed to tackling the issue, because we need to play our part. The Climate Change Bill is intended to help the UK’s transition to a low carbon economy.
“The Assembly’s endorsement of the principle that the Bill be extended to Northern Ireland will demonstrate that we are fully committed to playing our part in tackling this very important global issue.”
The key provisions of the Bill are:
- A series of key statutory targets for reducing carbon dioxide emissions;
- A new system of legally binding 5-year carbon budgets ;
- A new statutory body, to be known as the Committee on Climate Change, to provide independent expert advice and guidance;
- New powers to enable the Government to more easily implement emissions reducing policies;
- A new open and transparent system of annual reporting; and
- A requirement for a risk assessment of the impacts of climate change, including a commitment to develop a programme to prepare for the impacts of climate change.
Notes to Editors:
- The Climate Change Bill was introduced to the House of Lords at Westminster on 14 November 2007. It is currently at Committee stage in the Lords.
- To ensure Northern Ireland can avail of the powers within the Bill, a legislative consent motion was needed before Report Stage in the House of Lords.
- The Scottish Parliament is due to consider a similar motion on 19 December.
- 4 The Bill includes administrative amendments to the Energy Act 2004 to facilitate the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO). The provisions in relation to the RTFO are the responsibility of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) and include duties on the supply of sustainable biofuels.
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