2. Will the Minister outline how environmental considerations were taken into account when developing the Welsh Government's economic action plan? OAQ53615

Yes, of course. The environment has been a critical consideration in the development of the economic action plan. Key objectives of the plan include the drive towards sustainable growth, the need to combat climate change and the promotion of a transition to a cleaner, low-carbon economy. Achieving this will be vital in meeting our obligations under the Environment (Wales) Act 2016.

Just over a fortnight ago, I was invited to speak at the Cardiff Extinction Rebellion event outside Cardiff library. They, as well as the school strikers, are campaigning for the declaration of a climate emergency, among other things, to ensure that all current and future policies are consistent with averting climate change and ecological collapse. I support the campaign aims—climate change is the most severe crisis that we face in the world today.

Minister, economic policy has a big part to play in ensuring that the environment is protected, and this Government's failure to meet carbon emission targets has been described as disappointing by your own side. Energy is a vital part of our economy and fast decarbonisation is essential. Now, there have been various proposals throughout the world for green new deals. Do you accept that your economic plans should have been a green new deal?

Well, the green new deal as a project title has gained, I think, a lot of traction not just in the UK, but around the world. But, here in Wales, we're already delivering against ambitious plans for sustainable growth, and the economic action plan is very much a new green deal. We are delivering, and I think it's worth the Member recognising some of the detail that's contained within the economic action plan, including our commitment to zero-emissions buses. That demonstrates how we're delivering, including our commitment to 100 per cent renewable energy for the metro service—again, demonstrating our commitment.

I think it's also important to recognise how our investments in business across Wales are contributing to decarbonisation, including, within the economic action plan, the new calls to action, of which, one of just five concerns decarbonisation. Now, I would hope that the Member has expressed her views and ideas on how we combat climate change, drawing on the consultation on the draft climate change adaptation plan, which went out to consultation in December. If the Member hasn't already expressed her views on that, I'm sure there still is an opportunity, albeit after the closing date, to do so. But I am also very pleased, Llywydd, to say that, tomorrow, the First Minister will be launching 'A Low Carbon Wales', our first statutory decarbonisation plan.

In my region, Cabinet Secretary—or Minister now, as you're called—the Welsh Government is supporting the development plans for a new road from junction 34 to Sycamore Cross in the Vale of Glamorgan. Many residents within that area support road improvements in the existing infrastructure but for the life of them cannot understand why you are proposing to drive viaducts and new roadways across some of the most nature-sensitive areas in the Vale of Glamorgan. Can you join up the dots for me so I can go back to my constituents and understand how, when you take the environmental considerations into place, the Welsh Government is putting resources into a project that potentially would have a devastating impact on the environmental benefits of that particular area?

Well, can I assure the Member who also supports the M4 relief road, a vital programme the Government is currently considering—that the First Minister is currently considering—? And I should just say that all roads must be assessed. All builds, Llywydd, must be assessed against the latest Welsh transport appraisal guidance process, a process that is supported by the well-being of future generations commissioner, and, of course, programmes such as the one that the Member has identified are open to consultation with the public and I very much hope that members of the public in my colleague's area will submit their views when the consultation takes place.