To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs whether provisions will be put in place to ensure the Just Transition Commission will act in the interests of sectors such as agriculture and fisheries as we decarbonise our economy.

I am currently seeking agreement from my Executive colleagues for regulations to establish the Just Transition Commission. Those regulations require the Commission to include representatives from those sectors mandated by the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 and also additional sectors that were identified through the consultation and stakeholder engagement process to ensure that the interests of all emissions sectors, including agriculture and fisheries, are represented.

The Commission, once established, will have a key advisory and oversight role in ensuring that all departments, in developing and progressing decarbonisation plans, take account of the Just Transition Principle and the 11 objectives set out in the Act.

Within the 11 objectives, to ensure that the interests of sectors are at the forefront, is a requirement to support sectors of the economy in Northern Ireland that are likely to be most affected by action to reduce emissions as well as creating decent, fair and high-value work in a way which does not negatively affect the current workforce.

To support the work of the Commission, I have proposed a provision in the draft regulations that it will have the ability to establish Working Groups or Committees, which will allow it to call on wider sector views if required, to support it in the delivery of its advisory and oversight role.