SECTION 1 -
Defining the activity subject to Section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016
1A. Name of Public Authority.
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.
1B. Please provide a short title which describes the activity being undertaken by the Public Authority that is subject to Section 1(1) of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016.
Climate Change Action Strategy.
1C. Please indicate which category the activity specified in Section 1B above relates to.
Developing, Adopting and Implementing a Strategy.
1D. Please provide the official title (if any) of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service document or initiative relating to the category indicated in Section 1C above.
Climate Change Action Strategy.
1E. Please provide details of the aims and/or objectives of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service.
To set out the council's strategic approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change this includes actions across energy transport, infrastructure and estates, resources management, governance, economy, council facilities biodiversity and community resilience.
- Outline our goals for mitigating and adapting to climate change within the organization.
- To meet the requirements of the climate change act (Northern Ireland 2022) and the climate change reporting bodies.
1F. What definition of ‘rural’ is the Public Authority using in respect of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service?
Population Settlements of less than 5,000 (Default definition).and other definition
Details of alternative definition of ‘rural’ used: N/A
Rationale for using alternative definition of ‘rural’: N/A.
Reasons why a definition of ‘rural’ is not applicable. N/A
SECTION 2 -
Understanding the impact of the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service
2A. Is the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service likely to impact on people in rural areas?
Yes.
2B. Please explain how the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is likely to impact on people in rural areas.
In causeway coast and glens Borough, a significant proportion of the population resides in rural areas, nearly 48% These communities are particularly relevant to the climate emergency strategy, as rural land use, especially agriculture, contributes a large share of the borough’s overall greenhouse gas emissions.
As a result of the strategy there will be mitigation actions for rural areas, as they are more susceptible to the physical impacts of climate change e.g. increased risk of flooding and extreme weather events.
In response the climate emergency strategy aims to reduce the boroughs overall contribution to climate change, which over time can help reduce the severity and frequency of these climate related impacts.
2C. If the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is likely to impact on people in rural areas differently from people in urban areas, please explain how it is likely to impact on people in rural areas differently.
The rural needs act (NI) 2016 provides a statutory duty on public authorities to have due regard to rural needs when developing, adopting, implementing or revising policies, strategies and plans, and when designing and delivering public services. The policy itself will not have a different impact on people living either within urban and rural areas, although it has been noted that actual information delivery methods will impact people living in urban and rural areas differently.
While the climate emergency strategy is designed to bring long term benefits to all communities by reducing the impacts of climate change, it is likely to impact rural areas differently from urban areas, both in terms of vulnerabilities and how actions are experienced.
Rural areas are generally more exposed to climate related risks such as flooding, coastal erosion, drought and storms. These events can damage agricultural land, homes and rural infrastructure. Often these damages had slower response and recovery times due to distance from emergency services and limited connectivity.
2D. Please indicate which of the following rural policy areas the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is likely to primarily impact on.
Climate Change.
2E. Please explain why the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service is NOT likely to impact on people in rural areas.
N/A
SECTION 3 -
Identifying the Social and Economic Needs of Persons in Rural Areas
3A. Has the Public Authority taken steps to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas that are relevant to the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service?
Yes.
3B. Please indicate which of the following methods or information sources were used by the Public Authority to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas.
Consultation with Rural Stakeholders and Surveys or Questionnaires.
3C. Please provide details of the methods and information sources used to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas including relevant dates, names of organisations, titles of publications, website references, details of surveys or consultations undertaken etc.
The identification of the social and economic needs of people in rural areas have been informed primarily through ongoing engagement with local elected representatives, who represent all electoral areas across the causeway coast and glens borough, including a significant number of rural communities. These representatives bring direct insight into the lived experiences, priorities and challenges of their constituents and are well positioned to highlight rural needs across a range of policy areas.
The climate Change Action strategy has been recently developed and will continuously be implemented. It will be then reviewed annually with a new one created on a 5-year basis.
The strategy will be going out for public consultation. As individuals in rural communities may be specifically targeted.
3D. Please provide details of the social and economic needs of people in rural areas which have been identified by the Public Authority?
The social and economic needs of rural communities across the causeway coast and glens borough council area have been identified through continuous engagement with elected representatives, community groups, local action networks, and ongoing participation in rural development partnerships. These engagements have highlighted several key challenges that rural communities face, including:
- Limited access to sustainable and affordable transport
- Fuel poverty and energy inefficiency in housing stock
- Inadequate access to essential services and amenities
- Economic vulnerability and reduced employment opportunities
- Digital connectivity issues and exclusion
- Increased exposure to climate related risks, such as coastal erosion, flooding, and extreme weather events.
These challenges are directly relevant to the council’s emergency strategy, which aims to ensure that rural areas are not left behind in the transition to a low-carbon, climate resilient future. The strategy takes a place-based, inclusive approach, ensuring that rural needs are addressed through targeted actions and equitable access to support and resources.
Council is already delivering several major strategic programs that contribute to addressing rural needs while supporting climate goals. These include:
- Small settlements regeneration program
- Causeway coast and glens growth deal
- Go succeed program
- Village renewal and rural basic services schemes
- Rural broadband scheme
- Causeway coast and glens grant funding policy
The council recognizes that sustained, place-based support is essential for delivering an equitable and effective response to the climate emergency. Consultation with rural communities, local action groups, and stakeholders will ensure that the strategy continues to reflect evolving rural priorities and builds long-term resilience for all areas of the borough.
3E. Please explain why no steps were taken by the Public Authority to identify the social and economic needs of people in rural areas?
N/A.
SECTION 4 -
Considering the Social and Economic Needs of Persons in Rural Areas
4A. Please provide details of the issues considered in relation to the social and economic needs of people in rural areas.
The CCAS for causeway coast and glens borough council has carefully considered a range of issues relevant to the social and economic needs of rural communities. These considerations have shaped both the design and delivery of strategic actions, ensuring that rural areas are not left behind in the transition to a low carbon, climate resilient future.
Key issues considered include transport and accessibility, fuel poverty and energy efficiency, economic vulnerability and employment, digital exclusion and exposure to climate.
These issues have been embedded within the CCAS’s phased delivery model and action plans, with rural needs addressed under themes such as infrastructure and estate, economy, governance, and community resilience the strategy also aligns with the principles of just transition and statutory duties under the rural needs act (NI) 2016, ensuring that climate action contributes to social cohesion, equity, and inclusive economic growth across the entire borough.
The strategy will be going out for public consultation.
SECTION 5 -
Influencing the Policy, Strategy, Plan or Public Service
5A. Has the development, adoption, implementation or revising of the Policy, Strategy or Plan, or the design or delivery of the Public Service, been influenced by the rural needs identified?
Yes.
5B. Please explain how the development, adoption, implementation or revising of the Policy, Strategy or Plan, or the design or delivery of the Public Service, has been influenced by the rural needs identified.
The development and implementation of the CCAS for causeway coast and glens borough council has been directly influenced by the specific needs of rural communities across the borough. These needs were identified through ongoing community engagement, consultation with elected representatives, local action groups, and through the council’s statutory equality and rural proofing responsibilities.
Several key rural issues shaped the strategies direction, including fuel poverty, access to services and infrastructure, economic fragility, transport barriers, digital exclusion, and increased vulnerability to climate impacts such as flooding and coastal erosion. In response, the CCAS has been designed to ensure that actions deliver inclusive benefits and actively support the resilience and wellbeing of rural communities.
Key ways in which rural needs influenced the strategy include: the just transition, rural-proofed actions, transport and connectivity, community-led delivery and phased implementation.
These rural considerations were integral to the adoption of the CCAS and continue to shape its delivery and review. The strategy was specifically structured to avoid a one size fits all approach, ensuring that rural needs are embedded across all five council function areas: infrastructure & estate, economy, transport, governance, and resource management.
This strategy will be going out for public consultation, as individuals in rural areas may be specifically targeted.
5C. Please explain why the development, adoption, implementation or revising of the Policy, Strategy or Plan, or the design or the delivery of the Public Service, has NOT been influenced by the rural needs identified.
N/A.
SECTION 6 -
Documenting and Recording
6A. Please tick below to confirm that the RNIA Template will be retained by the Public Authority and relevant information on the Section 1 activity compiled in accordance with paragraph 6.7 of the guidance.
I confirm that the RNIA Template will be retained and relevant information compiled.
Rural Needs Impact Assessment undertaken by: Climate Change Lead Officer
Division/Branch: Environmental Services
Date: 02.09.2025
Rural Needs Impact Assessment approved by:
Division/Branch: Environmental Services
Date: 15/10/2025.