Climate commission critical to ensuring ‘fair, inclusive transition’, says Muir

The Stormont agriculture minister will bring regulations to establish a Just Transition Commission to steer climate-change policy in Northern Ireland.

Just Transition Commissions have been established by the Scottish and Irish governments to oversee their administrations’ low-carbon transition.

They provide advice and scrutiny to departments aiming to hit climate targets.

Northern Ireland’s commission will include representation from a number of sectors including agriculture, the environment, trade unions and youth groups.

Andrew Muir confirmed he will be bringing draft regulations to establish the commission to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) committee and Assembly for scrutiny.

Mr Muir described the move as “a critical step towards ensuring that Northern Ireland has the structures in place to address both the challenges and opportunities connected with climate action”.

“At all times, we must ensure that this is done in a way that is inclusive, fair and sustainable,” he said.

“The establishment of a Just Transition Commission will be essential to delivering on this ambition.

“Through its oversight and advisory role, it will help ensure that government departments design and bring forward decarbonisation policies that ensure nobody is left behind.”

The draft regulations follow a 10-week consultation, during which the department sought views on the structure and make-up of the commission.

The consultation indicated strong support for the establishment of a commission to ensure Executive departments were supported in ensuring policies worked for everyone in Northern Ireland.

Mr Muir said progression of the commission was “an important milestone on this journey” and that he looked “forward to further constructive discussion and debate through our Assembly scrutiny process”.

The primary function of the commission will be to oversee all departments’ implementation of the transition and to advise departments on how to ensure emissions-reduction policies and proposals comply with the just transition principle and objectives as set out in the Act.