5. What steps are being taken by the Welsh Government to tackle greenhouse gas emissions? OAQ(5)0710(FM)[W]

We are supporting specific actions in our transition to a low-carbon economy, such as deploying renewable energy and increasing recycling. We are also establishing the longer term framework to meet our legislative target within the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 of reducing emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.

Thank you, First Minister. You will know that the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee has just published a report last week evaluating the performance of the UK and the devolved nations against their environmental targets and noting improvements in Wales in the waste and industrial sectors, but also noting an increase in emissions from business premises, homes and in the transport sector. On the basis of this performance, they say it’s likely that Wales will not attain the target of a 40 per cent reduction in emissions by 2020 and that action needs to be taken as a matter of urgency. Does the Government accept that assessment and what specific steps will the Government take on the basis of the committee’s report?

Yes, and, of course, the greatest source of emissions is the energy sector itself, so what we need to ensure is that more renewable energy is available, for example in the lagoon in Swansea bay. That would make a big difference, not just to the environment but also, of course, by creating jobs in Wales. So, we’re still waiting to see what the UK Government will decide on the Swansea lagoon.

First Minister, Natural Resources Wales’s report ‘Tree Cover in Wales’ Towns and Cities’ found that 1 per cent of all tree cover is found in areas of high-density housing, and the Welsh Government’s own report on local air quality management in Wales identified increasing tree cover as key to improving general well-being, reducing greenhouse gases and improving air quality. Are you committed to seeing a significant increase in the amount of urban woodland we have?

Yes. People welcome woodland. They welcome broadleaf woodland particularly. I remember, in my days as rural affairs Minister, one of the issues that used to exercise people was clear felling and what they saw as the scars that were left on mountainsides as a result. We know that there is more work to be done in terms of increasing the amount of tree cover in Wales, and we are working with NRW to facilitate that.

Although it’s true what the First Minister has to say in terms of heavy industry and energy generation in Wales, it’s also true to say that the poor condition of our housing stock is also adding to carbon emissions as well as the difficult transport situation that we face in Wales. The sad fact is that, whatever we have as targets, there are more carbon emissions per capita in Wales now than there were 10 years ago, and they’ve reduced in Scotland and in England. You do have the tools to deal with this: in the environment Act, you set out that you will secure carbon budgeting, and during the next year you’ll have to prepare for that. Will you give a commitment, therefore, that the first Government carbon budget will set out how you will reduce emissions?

Well, one thing that I can tell the Member is that we’re not going to reconsider that target. The focus now is to ensure that we take action on that target and consider which regulations will be required in order to achieve that. As regards how we proceed, of course we wish to ensure that we proceed with the regulations on the carbon budgets, and we have to consider what the correct levels would be for doing that. And, of course, those levels will be established on evidence emanating from the consultative body.