To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs what steps his Department is taking to ensure that actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change (i) do not damage nature; and (ii) benefit biodiversity.

The draft Green Growth Strategy proposes a statutory Green Growth test so that climate action, the environment, including its natural capital assets and green jobs are considered in the appraisal of all publicly funded policies, programmes and projects.

My Department, like other NI Executive departments, is required to assess the environmental impact of delivery programmes. Depending on the particular programme of work and/or its location it may be subject to either an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA), Marine Licensing or the statutory planning process.

In adopting a Green Growth approach I am committed to putting nature and biodiversity on a path to recovery, while delivering on climate resilient outcomes.