Diolch, Llywydd. I'm pleased to bring this debate to Plenary to explore the future role Wales should play in the UK and global energy system, stimulating a discussion regarding the future of energy in Wales. This is a challenging time given the uncertainties of energy in a post-Brexit world. What is certain is the need to decarbonise. In Wales, the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 is our legislative vehicle acting on climate change. Next month, I will ask the Assembly to approve our interim emissions targets to 2050 and our first two carbon budgets. In March next year, we will be publishing our first low-carbon delivery plan for Wales.

I'm working across Government with my Cabinet colleagues through the decarbonisation ministerial task and finish group to deliver decarbonisation across all our portfolios. It's clear every one of us has to take action on climate change now and I call on the Assembly to support our efforts to decrease carbon emissions. This also delivers on the priorities I set out in my energy statement in September 2016.

My first priority is to use energy more efficiently in Wales. Improving the energy efficiency of the homes of low-income households is the most effective way in which we can tackle fuel poverty, whilst also reducing harmful emissions into the environment. We are investing £104 million in Welsh Government Warm Homes for the period of 2017 to 2021. This will enable us to improve a further 25,000 homes. Our Welsh Government energy service has invested over £55 million of zero-interest loans across the public sector in Wales over the last three years, supporting the ambition for a carbon-neutral public sector. We also need to ensure new buildings don't add to the retrofit challenge. We're currently scoping out the topics that will be in the review of building regulations and expect to go to public consultation in the spring.