Climate change policy has changed rapidly in recent years, alongside a growing awareness of the risks and opportunities to our natural environment, infrastructure services, built environment, economy and other vital societal support structures.

In 2022, the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) received royal assent. The Act creates a target for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, with bridging targets including at least a 48% reduction in net emissions by 2030. You can read an introduction to the Northern Ireland Climate Change Act here.

Below you will find the climate policy timeline, outlining the main climate policy publications for Northern Ireland. To use the timeline press ‘continue’ and scroll from left to right. For more information about a particular publication click on the respective ‘event’.