INFRASTRUCTURE minister Nichola Mallon has signed the Glasgow declaration on zero emission vehicles, on behalf of the Executive.
The pledge commits its signatories to "rapidly" accelerate the transition to less-polluting vehicles.
The SDLP politician yesterday also chaired an expert panel discussion for Transport Day at COP26, which aimed to explore the innovation and business opportunities arising from the transition to zero emission vehicles.
Ms Mallon said it was a "critical announcement for governments, businesses, and other organisations with an influence over the future of the automotive industry and road transport".
"I am pleased to sign this declaration to show that Northern Ireland has endorsed this COP26 declaration on accelerating the transition to 100 per cent zero emission cars and vans," she said.
"Together, we are committing to rapidly accelerating the transition to zero emission vehicles, to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, by agreeing that we will work towards all sales of new cars and vans being zero emission by no later than 2035.
"Across these islands, we have already seen significant innovation in transport decarbonisation. Specifically in relation to zero emission vehicles, key investment in innovative projects is delivering new vehicle and infrastructure technologies.
"These projects are providing economic benefits such as job creation and are unlocking private investment to support new technologies to come to market."
She added that it was "an honour" to attend COP26 to "play my part working with leaders across these islands and across the globe to tackle the climate crisis".
