52.—(1) The duties mentioned in sections 1, 3 to 5 and 24 on the Northern Ireland departments (namely, to ensure that the net Northern Ireland emissions account is below a certain amount and that the net Northern Ireland emissions account for carbon dioxide for 2050 is below a certain amount) are duties on each of them—
(a)to exercise its own functions, so far as is possible to do so, in a manner that is consistent with the achievement of that objective,
(b)so far as is consistent with the proper exercise of its own functions, to co-operate with each of the other departments in the performance by the other department of the other department’s duty under paragraph (a), and
(c)to draw up and implement such plans, policies and strategies as may be appropriate for the purpose of performing its duties under paragraphs (a) and (b).
(2) The Northern Ireland departments should, as far as reasonably practicable, align such plans, policies and strategies to those of the Republic of Ireland.
(3) Subsection (1) is in addition to (and does not limit) the duties under other sections of this Act.