Monday 22 March 2021
The ground-breaking Climate Change Bill, with Clare Bailey MLA as its lead sponsor and supported by SF, SDLP, UUP, Alliance, PBP and Independent MLAs, will receive its first reading at the NI Assembly today.
The Bill has been drawn together by the Climate Coalition NI, a group of legal professionals, scientists, academics and environmental organisations and received cross party support when it was submitted to the Speakers Office.
Lead sponsor Clare Bailey MLA commented:
"Climate breakdown is the defining issue of our time and something that successive Northern Ireland governments and administrations have failed to get to grips with. Today's first stage reading is an important step in creating the framework for the just transition to a low carbon economy which leaves no citizen behind."
Clare Bailey MLA continued:
"The Bill contains targets around achieving net zero carbon by 2045, enabling Northern Ireland to become climate resilient and to achieve an environmentally sustainable economy.
"The Bill is ambitious, but ambition is necessary if we are to move beyond the point of irreversible climate breakdown and species decline.
"I look forward to the First Stage reading of the Bill and working through the legislative process."
ENDS
Media Contact
Sinead McIvor - 07701 302 498
1. Notes to Editors
Climate Change Bill
http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/assembly-business/legislation/2017-2022-mandate/non-executive-bill-proposals/climate-change-bill/