Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir has said he will convene a summit of business and civil society stakeholders to discuss how Northern Ireland can reduce emissions while growing the economy sustainably.

In an oral statement to the Assembly, Mr Muir said global warming is already affecting Northern Ireland. He cited storms damaging infrastructure and causing power losses, flooding of homes and businesses, coastal erosion, wetter winters affecting farmers, warmer summers linked to animal diseases, and blue-green algae in Lough Neagh.

Mr Muir said Northern Ireland had a role in reducing global emissions, noting that countries contributing less than 2% each to annual global greenhouse gas emissions account for 40% of the total.

He said his priority was a low-carbon, nature-rich future with green jobs and skills, and that he would continue to press for adoption of Northern Ireland's first Climate Action Plan. He also said a third Climate Change Adaptation Programme was published earlier this year, recruitment to the Just Transition Commission is underway with the body expected to be operating early next year, and the Just Transition Fund for Agriculture is in its second year. He announced an intention to progress a second Climate Action Plan.

DUP Newry and Armagh MLA Gareth Wilson criticised Mr Muir over mandatory carbon audits. Mr Wilson said farmers who fail to comply face losing 10% of their farm payments from May 2029, rising to 15% the following year. He said the minister had turned a voluntary initiative into a mandatory scheme backed by financial penalties.

Mr Wilson said hundreds of farmers had contacted him with concerns about their livelihoods, rising costs and regulatory demands. He said the minister had refused to undertake a cost-benefit analysis of climate measures that the DUP had requested.

Mr Wilson said the DUP would continue to oppose the penalties, arguing that food production should not be driven out of Northern Ireland.