Committee Launches Climate Change Inquiry

The Northern Ireland Assembly’s Environment Committee has announced that climate change will be the subject of its next inquiry.

Committee Chairperson Patsy McGlone MLA said; “This is an important inquiry in identifying the costs, actions and obligations for the north to ensure we play our part in meeting climate change targets. It’s important we work out the best course of action for the future and how the Assembly might scrutinise more effectively the responsibilities of all departments when it comes to climate change.”

The Committee would welcome evidence from a wide range of different individuals and organisations and will publish a report on its findings in September 2009. The Committee would particularly wish to hear from members of the public on this issue.

ENDS

Notes to editors

The Committee is inviting contributions to any groups or individuals interesting in submitting evidence as part of its enquiry through the local press. The full terms of reference for the inquiry are:

• To identify initial commitments for Northern Ireland that will ensure it plays a fair and proportionate role as part of the UK in meeting climate change targets.

• To consider the necessary actions and a route map for each significant sector in Northern Ireland (energy, transport, agriculture and land use, business, domestic, public sector etc)

• To identify the costs associated with meeting these obligations and compare them with the costs that will be incurred if they are not achieved.

• To identify a formal cost effective mechanism for assessing the potential impact of new policies on climate change / CO 2 emissions. (Akin to Regulatory Impact Assessments/Rural Proofing)

• To make recommendations for appropriate targets/actions that could be included in the new Northern Ireland Sustainable Development Implementation Plan.

• To make recommendations on a public service agreement for the DOE Climate Change Unit’s commitments in the second Programme for Government that will ensure Northern Ireland will meet its climate change obligations.

• To consider what secondary legislation raising powers within the UK Climate Change Act would contribute to Northern Ireland’s commitment to the UK Climate Change Bill.

• To express views on if and how the Assembly might conduct more effective scrutiny of climate change responsibilities across all relevant departments.

• To produce a report on the findings and recommendations of the inquiry by September 2009.

Committee membership: 
Mr. Patsy McGlone – SDLP – Chairperson 
Mr. Cathal Boylan – SF – Deputy Chairperson 
Mr. David Ford – Alliance 
Mr. Trevor Clarke – DUP 
Mr. Ian McCrea – DUP 
Mr. Alastair Ross – DUP 
Mr. Peter Weir – DUP 
Mr. Daithi McKay – SF 
Mr. Tommy Gallagher – SDLP 
Mr. David McClarty – UUP 
Mr. Roy Beggs – UUP

Media Enquiries to: 
Debra Savage, Northern Ireland Assembly Information Office, Room B2, Parliament Buildings, Belfast BT4 3XX.