To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail a timeframe in which he expects to commence the (i) Climate Action Plan; and (ii) Carbon Budget, as outlined in the Climate Change Bill.

In line with the requirements of the Climate Change (Northern Ireland) Act 2022, my Department will lay the first Climate Action Plan before the Assembly by the end of 2023. In advance of this a public consultation of not less than 16 weeks must be undertaken and the results of this must also be laid before the Assembly.

In line with Section 58 of the Act, the Climate Change Committee has been asked to provide advice in relation to setting the level of the first three Carbon Budget periods, which are required to be set at a level that is consistent with the 2030, 2040 and 2050 emissions targets.