Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022

Advice about proposed regulations relating to targets

57.—(1) Subsections (2) and (3) apply where—

(a) the Department proposes to make regulations, under any provision of this Act, that—

(i) specify a different year for a particular emissions target, or

(ii) specify a different percentage for a particular year, and

(b) the Committee on Climate Change provides advice under section 56.

(2) Where the Department proposes to make regulations that specify a different year for a particular target, the Committee’s advice must include the Committee’s opinion as to—

(a) whether the year proposed is the earliest year for which the target could be achieved, and

(b) if not, what is the earliest year for which the target could be achieved.

(3) Where the Department proposes to make regulations that specify a different percentage for a particular year, the Committee’s advice must include the Committee’s opinion as to—

(a) whether the percentage proposed is the highest percentage achievable for the year, and

(b) if not, what is the highest percentage achievable for the year.

(4) When giving advice in accordance with this section, the Committee must have regard to the following matters—

(a) United Kingdom and international law or policy relating to climate change,

(b) scientific knowledge about climate change, and

(c) technology relevant to climate change.