Climate change in Northern Ireland
Climate change in Northern Ireland affects various environments and industries, including agriculture.
Greenhouse gas emissions
[edit]In 2021, 22,000,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent were emitted, a 23% reduction from 29,000,000 tonnes in 1990.[1] In 2024, annual greenhouse gas emissions had decreased even further, reaching 21,300,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.[2]
Impacts of climate change
[edit]Precipitation
[edit]Climate change is leading Northern Ireland towards a wetter climate with an increase in rainfall.[3]
Response
[edit]Policies
[edit]Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme
[edit]The Beef Carbon Reduction Scheme (BCRS) was launched in order to subsidise farmers transitioning away from grain-fed beef farming and towards purely grass-fed and purely pasture-based beef farming.[4]
Transport
[edit]Active travel
[edit]In 2025, the Department for Infrastructure spent £12,000,000 on active travel schemes.[5]
Grand Central Station
[edit]A transport hub, Grand Central Station, was opened to provide to make the different parts of Translink connect together better as an integrated transport network.[6]
Legislation
[edit]Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022
[edit]| Act of the Northern Ireland Assembly | |
 | |
| Long title | An Act to set targets for the years 2050, 2040 and 2030 for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; to provide for a system of carbon budgeting; to provide for reporting and statements against those targets and budgets; to confer power to impose climate change reporting duties on public bodies; to provide for reports and advice from the Committee on Climate Change; and for connected purposes. |
|---|---|
| Citation | c. 31 (N.I.) |
| Introduced by | Edwin Poots |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 2022-06-06 |
Status: Current legislation | |
The Northern Ireland Assembly passed a bill to require a reduction in emissions of 77% by 2040.[7]
In 2023, the leader of the Climate Change Committee warned that the lack of devolved government in Northern Ireland at the time meant that meeting the obligations under the Act were at risk of not being met.[8] A consultation was held to consider the different options for decarbonising.[9]
After devolved government was restored in 2024 in February 2024, it was revealed in September 2024, that Northern Ireland was "on track" to meet a reduction of 33% by 2032.[10]
The Act does not make specific mention of emissions from transport, but there is a requirement for the Department for Infrastructure to spend 10% of its annual budget on active travel.[11][5]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Greenhouse gas: NI to significantly reduce emissions by 2032". BBC News. 2024-09-28. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
- ^ Corr, Shauna (2024-06-19). "NI 'bottom of the class' on greenhouse gas cuts, says professor". Belfast Live. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
- ^ "How is climate change affecting Northern Ireland?". BBC News. 2024-07-28. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
- ^ "Beef cattle carbon emissions scheme 'could disadvantage us' - farmer". BBC News. 2024-02-09. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
- ^ a b "Department for Infrastructure 'not delivering' on active travel targets". BBC News. 2025-02-01. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
- ^ "Climate costs: Northern Ireland's 'built-in dependency' on cars". BBC News. 2024-09-08. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
- ^ "Climate change: Law to cut emissions in NI approved by assembly". BBC News. 2024-12-12. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
- ^ Greene, Tommy (2023-04-15). "Lack of NI government puts net zero targets at risk, UK climate adviser warns". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
- ^ Cullen, Louise (2023-06-21). "Public consultation launched into NI's carbon emission aims". BBC News. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
- ^ "Greenhouse gas: NI to significantly reduce emissions by 2032". BBC News. 2024-09-28. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
- ^ "Climate costs: Northern Ireland's 'built-in dependency' on cars". BBC News. 2024-09-08. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
