To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs how the first Climate Action Plan will contribute toward Northern Ireland meeting its emissions targets contained within the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022.

My department must by regulations set the first three carbon budgets and the emissions reduction targets for 2030 and 2040. We will deliver on our carbon budgets through the development of a series of Climate Action Plans which will set out the policies and proposals across all sectors to reduce greenhouse gas emissions during the associated five-year period.

My department is leading collaboration with all other Departments to develop Northern Ireland’s first Climate Action Plan. Officials are in the process of finalising the draft document for consultation. I am fully committed to delivering a Climate Action Plan that is transformational, evidence-based and informed by stakeholders.

The carbon budget regulations were agreed by the Executive last week and I now aim to bring the draft Climate Action Plan to Executive colleagues as soon as possible seeking their approval to publish the Plan for a 16-week consultation, as required by legislation.