Stormont Environment Minister Edwin Poots has attended the Northern Ireland launch of the Committee on Climate Change first annual report.

Entitled ‘Meeting Carbon Budgets – The Need for a Step Change’ the report focuses on the progress made by the UK Government in reducing emissions.

Main findings of the report found that declining economic activity is likely to have produced an emissions cut of around 2% in 2008, and recession could reduce emissions in the first budget period by a total of 40-70 million tonnes.

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Also, in the five years 2003-2007, emissions reductions averaged 0.5% per annum: going forward, reductions of 2-3%pa will be required to meet the carbon budgets.

The Minister said: "The Executive has committed to reducing emissions of all greenhouse gases by 25% in Northern Ireland by 2025, which will contribute towards meeting the UK carbon budgets.

"I wish to encourage everyone to continue to play their part in helping the downward trend in these harmful emissions."

The Committee on Climate Change is an independent expert body established under the Climate Change Act 2008 to advise the UK Government on setting carbon budgets and to report to Parliament on the progress made in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

(PR/BMcC)