Welsh climate change strategy a welcome first step but tougher targets needed

07 October 2010

The Welsh Climate Change Strategy, launched this morning, contains many welcome measures but falls short of the commitment made in 'One Wales', according to a leading environmental organisation [1].

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

"While there is much to welcome in the Climate Change Strategy for Wales, it's disappointing that it fails to deliver what was promised in the 'One Wales' programme for government.

"While 'One Wales' stated that the 3% cut in emissions would be made in areas of devolved competence, the strategy shows that less than a third of this will be delivered by the Welsh Assembly Government [2].

"It is envisaged, for instance, that transport policies in Wales will only make a small contribution, 0.10%, to the 3% target. A major shift in expenditure from roads to public transport and cycling and walking facilities would demonstrate a more convincing commitment.

"We welcome the recognition in the strategy that the 3% target is too low and that much more will have to be done. The scientific advisers to the government in Wales, the Tyndall Centre for Climate Research at Manchester University, have concluded that annual emission reductions up to 9% a year will be necessary to keep global temperatures within 'safe' limits [3].

"The Tyndall report for the government in Wales also points out that there will be economic benefits for Wales from increased resilience to high energy prices, increased employment and lower adaptation costs.

"Despite its shortcomings, the strategy launched today is an important step in the right direction. We urge the Welsh Assembly Government to drive it forward with ambition and courage so that Wales will benefit both environmentally and from the considerable opportunities offered by the emerging green economy [4]."

NOTES

1. 'One Wales', the coalition agreement between Labour and Plaid Cymru, stated, on page 31, "We will aim to achieve annual carbon reduction-equivalent emissions reduction of 3% per year by 2011 in areas of devolved competence". 
2. The Climate Change Strategy Delivery Plan states that 1.21% of the 3% target will be delivered by UK government policies, 0.89% by Welsh policies and 0.91% by wider sectoral contributions, such as behaviour change.
3. 'Towards a 2C Future: Emission Reduction Scenarios for Wales' by the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at Manchester University (December 2009)
4. A research report by HSBC Bank last month predicted that the low-carbon market could treble by 2020 to be worth $2.2 trillion a year http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2269279/hsbc-predicts-low-carbon-energy

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