Green concerns for Wales raised ahead of spending review

19 October 2010

Protecting public expenditure on environmental activities, in tomorrow's spending review, would strengthen the economy, according to Friends of the Earth Cymru. The group is concerned that expenditure on green programmes could be cut, undermining Wales' drive to become a world leader in clean energy.

Director of Friends of the Earth Cymru, Gordon James, said:

"Climate change is the greatest threat to the social and economic security of all countries [1]. Alongside this, the security of energy supply is a growing economic concern as oil prices are set to rise whilst sources decline and usage rises [2]. Developing the green economy, creating green jobs and improving energy efficiency have a key role to play in overcoming these problems.

"Predicted cuts to the funding of the Carbon Trust and for low-carbon technology would be counterproductive and would pose a threat to Wales' aspirations to become a world leader in clean energy and to reap the benefits of green jobs. Pre-election promises to adequately fund a Green Investment Bank should be delivered for the sake of jobs and the environment.

"We urge the government to deliver on a pledge, made by the Liberal Democrats, to spend £60 million to upgrade Britain's ports to enable them to service the offshore wind industry. This could be of huge benefit to ports like Pembroke Dock and Holyhead if proposals for wind-farms in the Bristol Channel and north Irish Sea go ahead.

"The scrapping of proposals to electrify the railway line from Swansea to London would also be bad news for Wales and the environment. Fast and efficient railways, preferably powered by electricity from renewable energy sources, would help to persuade more people to leave their cars at home.

"We also hope that the government will stick to its 'Green Deal' promise to ensure millions of homes will be made much more energy efficient, thus cutting fuel bills and emissions, improving health and creating thousands of jobs.

"Cuts to services and jobs hit poorest households hardest and the spending review must protect vulnerable households such as those in fuel poverty and those dependent on public transport."

NOTES

1. The Stern Review on the economics of climate change highlighted that the cost of inaction was five times higher than the cost of action; Stern has subsequently said his Review underestimated the scale of the problem.
2. A new report from Lloyds 360 Risk Insight and Chatham House starkly warns UK businesses that "energy security requires a long-term view and it is the companies that grasp this who will trade on into the second half of this century".

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