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Welsh Assembly Government reveals plans to cut carbon emissions in Wales
The consultation sets out the actions we have planned to achieve our climate change objectives, including our target to reduce greenhouse gases by 3 per cent per year from 2011 in devolved areas.
In total Ministers are committing £300 million across all departments to contribute to the target as a result of the proposals set out in the consultation document.
The plan sets out a number of initiatives, including:
- New climate change development officers for Welsh communities
- Development of funding to support micro-generation for businesses and households
- New pilot to lower the carbon footprint of cities
- Rolling out of Sustainable Travel Towns
- Support for green energy production
- Advice and support for businesses to go green
- Buildings skills and research and development for a low carbon economy
- Creation of a climate change charter for organisations to sign up to
Launching the plan, Environment, Sustainability & Housing Minister Jane Davidson said:
“Climate change is not some academic concept, but a real threat to Wales and the world. As the latest predictions released just last week show, Wales faces drier, hotter summers and warmer, wetter winters.
“There is no silver bullet or easy answer, but we must take action now if we are to have any chance of limiting the damage that could be caused. The latest, cutting edge science says we need to act now. Climate change requires all of us to change our behaviour, change the way we live and work to reduce the emissions which are affecting our climate.
“Some climate change is inevitable due to the impact of past emissions. We need to adapt the way we live and work to cope with a future Wales where there is an increase in severe weather events like heatwaves, droughts and floods. The latest projections show by 2050 the average annual temperatures in Wales will increase by 2.3°C. Rainfall in winter will increase by 14 per cent. Sea levels around our coast could rise by 20cm over the same period. We must take action to prepare and adapt to this new world.
“Many of the levers to fight climate change rest with the UK Government, but the Welsh Assembly Government is determined to play its part in leading action in Wales. These proposals outlined in this consultation document represent an investment of around £300 million over the next four financial years.
“However, this is about more than government investment, everyone has a contribution to make to tackling climate change, in every sector and walk of life. Our earlier consultation focused on our objectives – what we want to achieve. This plan sets out how we will go about achieving it.”
Mike Batt, manager of Carbon Trust Wales said:
“We welcome this latest consultation document and continue to be encouraged by the Welsh Assembly Government’s commitment to tackling climate change.
“Business and public sector organisations throughout Wales have a fantastic opportunity to take action which will help them reduce their carbon footprint, save money off their energy bills and be more competitive within the business environment.
“Everyone needs to take stock of the size of their carbon footprint so we are pleased that these proposals include a variety of measures designed to help. While many businesses know the benefits of reducing their carbon emissions, it requires a certain amount of effort, engagement and support to make the necessary changes. We welcome any proposals which will provide practical advice and support, helping everyone to make a contribution towards reducing our carbon footprint in Wales. With support from the Carbon Trust we feel confident that organisations in Wales can make a real difference by making business sense of climate change.”
The emissions of the six main greenhouse gases come under the plan. It will include all ‘direct’ greenhouse gas emissions in Wales except those from heavy industry and power generation, which are being broadly defined as those installations covered by the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS), but it will also include the emissions that result from electricity consumption.
The Climate Change Strategy sits alongside a number of Assembly Government plans, including the Green Jobs Strategy, the Waste Strategy and the Transport Plan.
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