Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022

Carrying amounts from one budgetary period to another

28.—(1) The Department may decide to carry part of the carbon budget for a budgetary period back to the preceding budgetary period.

(2) If the Department carries back part of the carbon budget—

(a) the budget for the later period is reduced, and

(b) the budget for the earlier period is increased,

by the amount carried back.

(3) The amount carried back must not exceed 1% of the carbon budget for the later period.

(4) The Department may decide to carry any unused part of the carbon budget for a budgetary period forward to the next budgetary period.

(5) If the Department carries forward part of the carbon budget—

(a) the budget for the later period is increased, and

(b) the budget for the earlier period is reduced,

by the amount carried forward.

(6) The carbon budget for a period is “unused” to the extent that it exceeds the net Northern Ireland emissions account for the period.

(7) Before deciding to carry an amount back or forward under this section, the Department must consult—

(a) the other Northern Ireland departments,

(b) the Committee on Climate Change, and

(c) the Northern Ireland Climate Commissioner.

(8) Each Northern Ireland department must provide such assistance as the Department requires when deciding to carry an amount back or forward under this section.

(9) Section 39 provides for the reporting of a decision under this section.