New report shows Wales needs action not rhetoric on climate change

9 February 2009

A new report by the Welsh Assembly Member's Research Service highlights Wales' poor performance on reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

The report shows that Wales is well short of its target to cut emissions of carbon dioxide, the main climate-changing gas, and is one of the poorest performers globally.

In 2006, Wales had the 13th highest emissions of carbon dioxide per capita in the world, excluding small island states. The poor performance has been partly attributed to the country's high manufacturing base and poor housing stock.

Commenting on the report, Friends of the Earth Cymru's director, Gordon James, said:

"This report on carbon dioxide emissions in Wales spells out the immense threat we face from climate change. It also shows that, despite some welcome initiatives by the Welsh Assembly Government, the overall response to this threat remains hopelessly inadequate.

"It's extremely disappointing to learn that carbon dioxide emissions in Wales rose between 2005 and 2006. They are still just below the 1990 level, and well short of the twenty per cent cut by 2010 target set by the government.

"The abundant political rhetoric that we have had on the subject must be replaced by courageous action that will bring about big reductions in emissions in the very near future.

"Yesterday's decision to give the go-ahead to a large power station at Pembroke instead of the far more efficient combined heat and power systems just shows how politicians are still delivering business as usual responses, rather than the radical policy changes that are now essential."

NOTES

1. Carbon Dioxide Emissions in Wales by the National Assembly for Wales Members Research Service

For further information please contact Friends of the Earth Cymru on 029 2022 9577