Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir has confirmed he will be bringing forward draft regulations to Stormont around the establishment of a new Just Transition Commission for climate change policy.
In a statement, the minister confirmed he has received agreement from the Stormont Executive to proceed.
The new Commission will be an advisory non-departmental public body and will include representatives from a number of sectors including agriculture, the environment, trade unions and youth groups.
For agriculture, three members are proposed, with two proposed for environmental groups. In total, there will be 20 members on the Commission.
The Commission will be independent, with members appointed by and accountable to the DAERA minister.
Their main role is to oversee how all government departments put in place just transition elements of climate change legislation, as NI implements policies that will lower greenhouse gas emissions.
“The progression of these Regulations to the Assembly is an important milestone on this journey, and I look forward to further constructive discussion and debate through our Assembly scrutiny process,” said Minister Muir. A similar body exists in Scotland and also in the Republic of Ireland.
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