Committee Calls for Evidence and Views on Climate Change Bill

21 May 2021 12:29 PM

The Assembly’s Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (AERA) Committee is calling on people and organisations across all relevant sectors to give their views on the new Climate Change Bill that is currently before the Assembly.

The Climate Change Bill, proposed as a Private Member’s Bill by Clare Bailey MLA, recently passed to the AERA Committee to be examined in greater depth. Over the coming months, the Committee will gather evidence from experts and stakeholders before returning its views on the Bill to the Assembly for further consideration.

Speaking after the launch of the ‘Call for Evidence and Views’, Committee Chairperson, Declan McAleer MLA yesterday said:

“We all agree that climate change is one of most important challenges we face and it is vital that we take all necessary measures to address it. This new Bill sets out a framework for climate change adaptation and mitigation that will influence policy across all sectors of our society.”

Some of the provisions of the proposed Bill include a target for reducing greenhouse gases to net zero by 2045, a new role of Climate Change Commissioner and a requirement that the Northern Ireland Executive will develop Climate Action Plans every five years to help reach this target.

Mr McAleer continued:

“The target of net zero greenhouse gases by 2045 will be one of the most debated aspects of this Bill and I know that farmers and many of those in the agricultural sector are concerned that this will impact negatively on their livelihoods.

“It is for this reason that we are looking for a wide and diverse range of views to help inform our considerations on this important Bill. We want to ensure that the final Bill takes account of all viewpoints and is balanced, fair and fit for purpose.”

Mr McAleer concluded:

“Climate change impacts all of us, it is crucial that we seek to understand how we can work together to build a considered, sustainable and collaborative approach towards tackling it now and in the future.”

The ‘Call for Evidence and Views’ can be accessed on the Assembly Committee webpage, and will be open for eight weeks, closing on Thursday 15 July 2021. 

Notes to Editor:

Committee Membership:

Mr Declan McAleer MLA (Chairperson)

Mr Philip McGuigan MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

Ms Clare Bailey MLA

Mrs Rosemary Barton MLA

Mr John Blair MLA

Mr Maurice Bradley MLA

Mr Harry Harvey MLA

Mr William Irwin MLA

Mr Patsy McGlone MLA

For media enquiries, please contact:

Sinead Murphy

Deputy Communications Officer

Northern Ireland Assembly

Tel: 029 90 52 5938

Mob:  07899 864368

Email: Sinead.murphy@niassembly.gov.uk