Edwin Poots’ Climate Bill is expected to pass the committee stage at Stormont next week.
The proposed legislation is the second of two Climate Bills currently making their way through Assembly processes.
While his department’s oversight committee passed most clauses in the document on Thursday, January 13, clarity has been requested on a number of its 38 clauses.
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Concerns were raised about extra duties the Bill places on the UK Climate Change Committee for just Northern Ireland and whether it had been consulted.
The need for an independent oversight body “with teeth” was also raised while further information was requested on the potential impacts of NI being “a place apart” in terms of carbon reduction targets.
Climate Bill No 2 aims to reduce emissions 82% on 1990 levels by 2050 while England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland are all aiming for 100%.
It was agreed that the committee would ask the department to provide further information.
The committee has until January 28 to deliver its view on the proposed legislation.
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