To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a blue carbon strategy for Northern Ireland.

The importance of blue carbon habitats and their role in climate change adaption and mitigation is now widely recognised. My Department has been working with other administrations through a sub group of the British-Irish Council to share knowledge and experience on blue carbon topics.

To obtain a better understanding of the Northern Ireland context, my Department has invested in a feasibility study to identify potential areas for blue carbon habitat restoration. This project will inform the development of strategies relating to blue carbon habitats and associated restoration projects.

My officials are currently developing blue carbon targets and objectives for the draft Environment Strategy, and these will also be relevant to the updated Biodiversity Strategy. Consideration has not yet been given as to whether there is a need for a standalone blue carbon strategy.