To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for an update on the establishment of a Just Transition Commission.

AQO 1493/22-27

Answer:

The establishment of a Just Transition Commission is a key priority for me. On 11 November 2024 I launched a consultation on the establishment of the Commission.

The consultation focused on the detailed proposals to establish the Commission, including the type of public body the Commission should be, its composition, the Commission’s role and its legislated functions. Views were also sought on the proposed sectors to be represented on the Commission, its reporting arrangements and the secretariat and support required for it to function.

My officials extended the consultation at stakeholder’s request and the consultation closed on 20 January 2025. My department is now analysing the 100 written responses received as well as the outcome of the stakeholder engagement sessions that were conducted as part of the consultation. A consultation summary of responses report will be published in due course.

The findings from the consultation will be used to inform my decisions on the final content of the draft regulations that will establish the Commission.

I will then seek agreement from my Executive colleagues and the regulations will then be laid in draft in this Assembly for debate and approval.

Once the Regulations are in place to establish the Commission in law, a recruitment competition to appoint members to the Commission will be undertaken via the public appointments process.

Our draft Programme for Government details the Executive’s commitment to establishing the Just Transition Commission and I am taking every step to ensure that we have the Commission established as soon as possible.

The Commission will play a vital role as Northern Ireland moves towards a net zero economy and I want to ensure we have the right people on the Commission with broad sectoral representation to ensure it is fully effective.

The Just Transition Commission is an important body that will support all departments in ensuring a net zero transition is fair and just.

I will continue to update members as the progress on the establishment of the Commission.