Climate Change

In Northern Ireland, DOE takes a lead on climate change issues through our Climate Change Unit. We work closely with DECC (Department for Energy and Climate Change) and Defra (Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs) in London and with our colleagues in the Devolved Administrations of Scotland and Wales .

ABOUT US

All government Departments bear a collective responsibility in achieving the NI Executive’s Programme for Government target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in 2025 by 25% from 1990 levels. DOE’s contribution to this is principally provided through its Climate Change Unit based in Calvert House, Belfast.

WHAT WE DO

The Unit supports the Minister in policy issues such as:

• Developing and delivering arrangements to support the UK Climate Change Act 2008 including links with other UK administrations and the independent Committee on Climate Change;
• Developing and delivering the Carbon Reduction Commitment
• Climate change adaptation policy including development of a UK risk assessment and ultimately a Northern Ireland Adaptation Programme
• The calculation and monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions in Northern Ireland through Inventories
• Input to EU and UK policy developments such as EU Emissions Trading Scheme, the EU Energy and Climate Change package and the preparations for international negotiations on climate change.

WHAT WE DON’T DO

All government Departments, not just DOE, play a role in greenhouse gas reductions. Due to this collective responsibility, DOE does not lead on all policies that touch on climate change. For example:

• All NI government Departments are committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2015;
• The Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment has responsibilities for energy policy including renewables;
• The Department of Finance is responsible for energy efficiency improvements through building regulations;
• The Department of Regional Development is responsible for transport policy;
• The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development plays a role in emission reductions through its forestry and land use policy and practices; and
• The Department of Social Development plays a role in energy efficiency in domestic residences.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further information on climate change responsibilities in Northern Ireland can be requested by contacting us at  climate.change@doeni.gov.uk

CONSULTATION DOCUMENT: EU EMISSIONS TRADING SCHEME CHARGING SCHEME NORTHERN IRELAND - NOW CLOSED

The Department sought views on proposals to make Regulations providing the legal framework for a Northern Ireland charging scheme to recover the costs of regulating the EU Emissions Trading Scheme under the requirements set out in the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Regulations 2005.

The consultation opened on 27 November 2009 and closed on 19 February 2010.

A letter to consultees and the consultation paper can be accessed through the following links.

EU Emissions Trading Scheme Charging Scheme Northern Ireland Consultation (278KB)

Letter to Consultees (176KB)

Summary of Responses (154kb)