The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has announced that the Northern Ireland Assembly approved the Climate Change (Just Transition Commission) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026. These regulations establish the Just Transition Commission as an independent advisory body. Its primary function will be to oversee how all departments implement the just transition elements of the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 and to provide advice on whether emissions reduction policies align with just transition principles and objectives. Following approval of the regulations, DAERA will commence a public appointments process in line with the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ Code of Practice principles to ensure a fair, open and transparent appointment process.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has announced that the independent panel, appointed by the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir, in November 2024, has launched a call for evidence to review the current environmental governance framework in Northern Ireland (NI). The review will consider various options for improvement, including the potential establishment of an Independent Environmental Protection Agency. The call for evidence closes on 14 March 2025. The responses received will inform the independent panel’s recommendations, with an interim report expected in spring 2025, and a full review by summer 2025.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Minister, Andrew Muir, has announced an independent review of environmental governance in Northern Ireland (NI). Muir has appointed a panel of three experts, chaired by Dr Viviane Gravey, to examine the current system and propose recommendations, including the potential establishment of an independent environmental protection agency. The panel will conduct a call for evidence in early 2025 and will submit their report and recommendations by summer 2025.

The Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has launched a consultation on the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Environmental Report for Northern Ireland’s proposed Ammonia Strategy and revised Operational Protocol. This Environmental Report is part of the SEA process mandated by the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004, SR 2004/280. This consultation aims to evaluate the impacts of ammonia on the natural environment. It closes on 25 April 2025.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has launched a consultation on Northern Ireland’s draft Climate Action Plan 2023–2027. The plan, developed in line with the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022, outlines the policies and proposals intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet the first carbon budget. It sets out a pathway to achieving the statutory target of net zero emissions by 2050, with interim targets for 2030 and 2040. The draft plan includes cross-departmental contributions and focuses on delivery, monitoring and stakeholder engagement. DAERA is encouraging responses from individuals, organisations and stakeholders across all sectors. A series of public consultation sessions will be held both online and in person across Northern Ireland between July and October 2025.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has launched a consultation on the establishment of a Just Transition Commission for Northern Ireland, as mandated by the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (CCA(NI) 2022). The consultation seeks views on the Commission’s role, composition, and legislated functions, among other aspects. The Commission will oversee the implementation of just transition elements outlined in the CCA(NI) 2022 and provide independent advice to government departments to ensure climate change policies align with just transition principles. The consultation closes on 13 January 2025.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has published Northern Ireland’s first Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP).

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has published a communique on the Inter-Ministerial Group for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (IMG EFRA) following its meeting on 16 September 2024. The next meeting is scheduled for November 2024.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has published an interim report by its independent panel on environmental governance, examining potential improvements to environmental oversight in Northern Ireland. Drawing on extensive evidence gathered through public meetings and engagement with regulators and stakeholders across the UK and Ireland, the report reveals that the existing governance framework is inadequate and calls for substantial reforms, including the establishment of a more independent environmental regulator. The report also sets out recommendations aimed at strengthening credibility, transparency, and accountability. These interim findings will inform the panel’s final recommendations, expected to be submitted to the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in summer 2025, with a proposed course of action to be presented to the Northern Ireland Executive for consideration in autumn 2025.

The Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has welcomed the Northern Ireland Assembly’s approval of legislation establishing the country's first three carbon budgets and a new 2040 emissions reduction target, in accordance with the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022. The carbon budgets set out a managed pathway for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with the first budget requiring an average annual reduction of 33%, the second 48%, and the third 62%. Additionally, a new target for 2040 aims to reduce emissions by 77% against 1990 levels. DAERA minister, Andrew Muir, has suggested that this places Northern Ireland on a clear trajectory towards achieving Net Zero, aligning with similar efforts in other parts of the UK and the Republic of Ireland. The next phase involves the development of a Climate Action Plan, which will outline emissions reduction policies and proposals across all Northern Ireland departments to meet the first carbon budget and set the country on course to achieve the targets set out in the Act.

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