Research Papers 2021
Synopsis: Below you will find details of Research Publications which have been prepared by the Research and Information Service (RaISe) for the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in 2021.
NI GHG Emissions Targets in Proposed Climate Change Bills: A comparison of estimated public finance implications
- Date: 13/12/2021
Currently, the Committee for Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs (“CAERA”) is scrutinising two Climate Change Bills that now are before the Assembly – namely: a Private Member’s Bill (“PMB”); and, a Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (“DAERA”) Bill. Each Bill contains a greenhouse gas emissions (“GHG”) target seeking to reduce emissions of GHGs in Northern Ireland (“NI”). To support CAERA’s consideration of the two proposed targets, this briefing paper provides an overview of the potential financial implications that could arise from the targets, if enacted as introduced, in particular those implications relating to the Executive Budget.
Climate Change (No.2) Bill
- Date: 29/09/2021
The following Bill Paper provides an overview, comparison and consideration of the Northern Ireland Climate Change (No.2) Bill 2021.
Methane and Biogenic Methane - an overview
- Date: 31/08/2021
This paper has been prepared for the purpose of supporting the Committee’s scrutiny of the Climate Change Number 1 and Number 2 Bills. The paper provides an overview of methane and biogenic methane including information regarding overall emissions targets and specific methane targets as well as examples of Biogenic methane in other climate change legislation.
Horse Racing (Amendment) Bill
- Date: 17/06/2021
This Bill paper provides an overview of the Horse Racing (Amendment) Bill as introduced to the Assembly on 13th April 2021. The paper also identifies those areas within the Bill which may merit further consideration and, where relevant, compares similar provisions within GB and Ireland
Proposed Draft Farm Welfare Bill – potential considerations
- Date: 20/05/2021
This briefing paper provides an overview of the proposed draft Farm Welfare Bill produced by NI Farm Groups. As well as considering the main elements within the Bill, the briefing paper presents an overview of the use of farm gate pricing mechanisms across a number of jurisdictions.
Private Member Bill: Climate Change (Northern Ireland) Bill 2021
- Date: 12/05/2021
This Bill Paper provides an overview, comparison and consideration of the Climate Change (Northern Ireland) Bill 2021. The Bill was introduced to the NI Assembly on 22 March 2021. It provides for: the declaration of a climate emergency; development of five year Climate Action Plans with an overall target of net zero by 2045, annual targets, carbon budgets, nitrogen budgets and sectoral plans; establishment of a Northern Ireland Climate Commissioner and the Northern Ireland Climate Office as an independent body to monitor the implementation of the provisions and review the working of the PMB; and a guarantee of non-regression from existing climate and environmental standards.
Nature Friendly Farming in Northern Ireland
- Date: 11/05/2021
This paper provides a brief overview of the concept of ‘Nature Friendly Farming’ and its application in Northern Ireland, within the context of the 2014-20 CAP programme period, its associated programmes/schemes and future agricultural policy development. In addition, the paper identifies those areas of Northern Ireland which are currently subject to some form of protective designation that may either maintain or enhance environment/habitat. It also provides an overview of what the main designations cover.
Ireland/ Northern Ireland Protocol and Net Zero
- Date: 22/03/2021
This briefing note is a follow up to the RaISe paper Northern Ireland and Net Zero (NIAR 47-21). It provides examples of some of the potential impacts of the Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol in achieving Net Zero, and should not be considered as a comprehensive analysis or assessment.
Northern Ireland and Net Zero
- Date: 04/03/2021
This paper has been provided in response to an AERA Committee request for information on net zero targets across the UK, Republic of Ireland (RoI), and particularly Wales; it also examines departmental programmes aimed at addressing climate change across different sectors in Northern Ireland (NI). Finally, examples of “greenhouse gas removing technologies” are provided, as mentioned in the Climate Change Committee Letter on Northern Ireland’s contribution to UK Net Zero and DAERA’s response Letter.
