Environment Minister Edwin Poots has come under pressure to publicly commit to delivering a Climate Change Act.

This call comes after a bid for funding was made by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for funding to begin work on developing a Climate Change Act.

Sinn Féin representative Caoimhe Archibald MLA welcomed the progress, but warned it will "mean little" without a commitment to deliver the Act.

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The East Derry MLA said: "The delivery of legislation to set robust and enforceable emissions reduction targets to tackle the climate emergency should be a primary priority for the minister.

"However, having refused to commit to the delivery of a Climate Change Act on several occasions since the restoration of the Assembly, it is clear the minister is dragging his feet on this issue.

"This Assembly has declared a climate emergency, the time for dithering and delay is long past.

"I am once again calling on the minister to fulfil his obligations to the Assembly and to the public, and deliver a Climate Change Act as a matter of urgency."

(CM/JG)