EDWIN Poots has written to Clare Bailey urging the Green leader to shelve her climate change bill.
But the stand-off over Stormont's carbon reduction plans looks set to continue as the South Belfast MLA has insisted her private member's bill is "the best option for delivering the legislative framework for tackling climate change".
In a letter sent to the Green leader last month, the agriculture and environment minister said that agreeing not to move her bill to the next stage would enable a more effective use of Stormont's legislative resources and "help to ensure that we agree a climate change bill in this mandate".
Ms Bailey's bill, which was launched a year ago with the support of all of Stormont's main parties bar the DUP, is regarded as the stronger of the two pieces of proposed legislation
Mr Poots brought forward his bill, which includes less ambitious carbon net zero targets, in June.
There are concerns that the two bills will effectively cancel out each other, meaning by the end of the assembly mandate the north will remain the only part of Britain or Ireland without bespoke legislation for tackling climate change.
The minister's letter thanks the Green leader and her team for their "co-operation and positive approach" and engagement over the summer – joint meetings that were revealed by The Irish News last month.
Mr Poots says the ongoing discussions are aimed at "reaching a compromise" on the progression of the two bills, including "developing potential amendments" to the minister's proposed legislation.
Notably, he asks Ms Bailey to "confirm that the intention would be to not move your bill to the next stage in its legislative passage".
The minister suggests a number of areas where they may secure joint agreement, including climate action plans, a "transboundary element" and just transition principles.
In relation for Ms Bailey's aim of creating a climate commissioner and climate office, Mr Poots has asked that the roles be defined and costed.
While the Green leader has previously indicted that she is happy to work with Mr Poots on the legislation, she has yet to signal that she is willing to park her private member's bill.
She told The Irish News that the minister's bill "lacks ambition" and has no commitment to pursue a net-zero target.
"My private member’s bill – the Climate Change (No1) Bill – has cross-party support, co-sponsored by Sinn Féin, SDLP, UUP, Alliance, PBP and independent MLAs," she said.
"My bill includes the creation of the office of an independent climate commissioner, and a commitment to a just transition – these measures are not included in what the minister has put forward."
Ms Bailey said her proposed legislation would create a "pathway for a just transition to net-zero by 2045".
"It is the best option for delivering the legislative framework for tackling climate change in Northern Ireland," she said.
