Legislation passed by MLAs in 2022 set strict greenhouse gas targets for Northern Ireland. The law requires projects to align with emissions reductions.

A cycle bridge over the Lagan in Belfast stopped due to non-compliance with the requirements. Work on the A5 road upgrade also halted for the same reason.

Sinn Fein and Alliance MLAs supported a UK scheme to include maritime transport emissions. The plan covers sea routes despite lacking exemptions for Northern Ireland ferry paths similar to those for Scottish islands.

Unionists noted most goods arrive by sea. They warned costs would pass to consumers.

The UK government proceeded without exemptions for NI routes. Officials stated equal exemptions would raise costs compared to Great Britain to Republic of Ireland routes.

Stormont received an offer to reduce emissions by 82 percent instead of 100 percent. The chair of the UK Climate Change Committee called this a fair share of the UK target.

The committee chair stated full compliance would demand major shifts in the local livestock farming sector.

DUP and UUP MLAs called for more realistic targets.