§ Sue DoughtyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the sustainability strategy is for his Department; and if he will make a statement on how it has changed since the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg. [83504]
§ Angela SmithUnder devolution, the Northern Ireland Executive's first Programme for Government (which set out the plans and priorities of the devolved Administration) included a commitment that sustainable development would be a key theme running through the Executive's work and priorities. This theme has been reflected in subsequent editions of the Programme for Government.
In line with this commitment, the Northern Ireland Department of the Environment, which has lead responsibility for sustainable development, earlier this year published a consultation paper entitled 442W "Promoting Sustainable Living", which set out proposals for a sustainable development strategy for Northern Ireland.
The responses to the consultation exercise are currently being analysed. This work will take account of the outcomes of the World Summit on Sustainable Development. Thereafter officials will bring forward a draft Northern Ireland Sustainable Development Strategy for consideration by Ministers.