To ask the Minister of Justice to outline how her Department is working to reduce its carbon footprint.

Mrs Long

My Department is committed to delivering its responsibilities under the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 and in supporting DAERA in the development of the first Northern Ireland climate action plan. While the Department of Justice is not a sectoral lead under the Act, we aim to contribute to the sectors of buildings, transport and energy. Our 2023 outline sustainability strategy sets out our goals and supporting actions to reduce our carbon footprint. For example, we have established 2021-22 as our baseline year for measuring our energy consumption and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. We have an active information programme in place to encourage behavioural change with our staff, both in the workplace and at home.

Mrs Long

The Department's strategy covers the core Department and its agencies. Central to the delivery of the Department's strategy are the respective strategies of NICTS, the Northern Ireland Prison Service and the PSNI. They have their own goals and targets, and they are reported on separately. The Department's agenda is progressed under three sustainability pillars: economic, social and environmental, each with its own supporting actions. Key to the delivery of the strategy was the establishment of that baseline year as 2021-22, so we can manage our energy consumption and measure it against that particular aspect. We have some key initiatives in progress. The solar farm at Hydebank Wood is now operational and has the capacity to reduce electricity bills by up to £60,000 per year. The Prison Service is also working in collaboration with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, RSPB and Woodland Trust to develop biodiversity action plans for each of our sites, because one thing that we do have is space and land. It is also playing a leading role in sustainability in prisons. An international conference was held in York on 24 and 25 September, to which Prison Service staff made contributions. Finally, we have solar panels installed on several courthouses, including on Laganside. Most importantly, the modernisation of the Royal Courts of Justice project aspires to make the Royal Courts of Justice, a building of the same era as this one, the first fully decarbonised, grade A listed building in Northern Ireland. That includes refurbishment of the old town hall building when it reopens. It will make a significant impact in to the heritage and the environment.