The BBC says Northern Ireland’s first ever Climate Bill jumped an important assembly hurdle this week.
Assembly members voted 58 to 29 to send it for detailed scrutiny – the next step in the legislative process.
The bill would commit Northern Ireland to a target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.
It would have implications right across society, for transport, business, and how we power and heat our homes.
But it was the impact on one sector – farming and agri-food – which dominated much of the debate.
That’s not surprising. The industry is a big driver of the Northern Ireland economy.
It’s also our biggest emitting sector, responsible for 27 per cent of greenhouse gases.
A report for the Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association this week recorded more than £5 billion in annual sales, with around 80 per cent of produce exported.
