# The Climate Change (Carbon Budget 2038-2042) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026

Draft 2026, ISBN 9780338027092

These Regulations provide for a maximum total amount for the net Northern Ireland emissions account for the carbon budget period 2038-2042, as required by section 23(1) of the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022. A carbon budget provides a limit on the maximum total greenhouse gas emissions which should not be exceeded for a defined budgetary period, in order to help meet the overall and longer-term emissions reduction targets.

Made under: Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (Section 23)

PDFs: Printed copy https://openlegislation.uk/draft-climate-change-carbon-budget-2038-2042-regulations-northern-ireland-2026/pdf/nidsr_9780338027092_en.pdf; NI Draft Explanatory Memorandum https://openlegislation.uk/draft-climate-change-carbon-budget-2038-2042-regulations-northern-ireland-2026/pdf/nidsrem_9780338027092_en_001.pdf

## Introductory text

Draft Regulations laid before the Assembly under section 53(3) of the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 for approval
Climate Change
Made xx xxx 2026
Coming into operation in accordance with regulation 1(2)
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (the Department) makes these Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by section 23(1) of the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (the Act).
Before being laid before the Assembly, the Department—
(a) carried out a public consultation in accordance with section 23(2)(a) of the Act;
(b) commissioned impact assessments in accordance with section 23(2)(b) of the Act;
(c) consulted in accordance with section 23(2)(c) of the Act; and
(d) requested, and took into account, advice from the Committee on Climate Change, in accordance with section 56(2) of the Act, and when seeking that advice gave due regard to the matters mentioned in section 23(3) of the Act.

## 1 Citation and commencement

(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Climate Change (Carbon Budget 2038-2042) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026.
(2) These Regulations come into operation on the day after the day on which they are made.

## 2 Carbon Budget

(1) The carbon budget for the 2038-2042 budgetary period is an annual average of 77% lower than the baseline.

## Signature

Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs on xx xxx 2026.
Name
A senior officer of the
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

## Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations provide for a maximum total amount for the net Northern Ireland emissions account for the carbon budget period 2038-2042, as required by section 23(1) of the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022. A carbon budget provides a limit on the maximum total greenhouse gas emissions which should not be exceeded for a defined budgetary period, in order to help meet the overall and longer-term emissions reduction targets.
A regulatory impact assessment has been produced for this Statutory Rule. Copies can be obtained from Climate Change Legislation and Policy Division, Clare House, 303 Airport Road West, Belfast, BT3 9ED or by emailing ClimateChangeDiscussion@daera-ni.gov.uk.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nidsr/2026/9780338027092 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/draft-climate-change-carbon-budget-2038-2042-regulations-northern-ireland-2026
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.