A split target approach to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is being proposed in Northern Ireland.

Ahead of a new climate change bill for Northern Ireland, the NI Department of Agriculture (DAERA) has proposed that a short-lived GHG, which includes methane should be given a separate reduction target to a long-lived GHG such as CO2.

New Zealand approach

This would mirror the approach taken in New Zealand and is also being mooted in Dublin.

In New Zealand, climate change targets which require a 10% drop in methane emissions by 2030 and a reduction of between 24% to 47% is mandated by 2050, while all other long-lived GHG’s must reach net-zero over the same timeframe.