Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022

Power to amend targets

Power to amend emissions targets

5.—(1) The Department may by regulations amend section 1, 3 or 4 so as to specify—

(a) for a particular emissions target, an earlier year than that for the time being specified;

(b) for a particular year, a higher percentage than that for the time being specified.

(2) The Department may by regulations amend this Part so as to impose a duty on the Northern Ireland departments to ensure that the net Northern Ireland emissions account for a specified year is at least a specified percentage lower than the baseline.

(3) See section 54 for restrictions on the powers conferred by subsections (1) and (2).

Duty to consider whether to revise targets

6.—(1) The Department must consider whether the targets in sections 3 and 4 are consistent with meeting the emissions target in section 1(1).

(2) In relation to each of the targets in sections 3 and 4, the Department must either—

(a) lay before the Assembly draft regulations under section 5 to amend the target so as to be consistent with the target in section 1(1), or

(b) lay before the Assembly a statement explaining why it considers that the target does not need to be amended.

(3) The Department must lay draft regulations or a statement in relation to each target within the period of 2 years beginning with the day on which this Act receives Royal Assent.

(4) Section 54(2) does not apply to regulations laid before the Assembly under subsection (2)(a).