8. Statement by the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs: The Climate Emergency

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:08 pm on 1 July 2020.

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Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour 4:08, 1 July 2020

Thank you, Jenny. So, around the Part L consultation, as I said, the current consultation does outline our proposals to improve the energy efficiency of new dwellings in Wales from 2020 to 2025. I mentioned in my previous answer that we want to ensure that we don't build houses that do need retrofitting in 25 years or 50 years down the line. This year, we will make a significant and necessary step change in our energy and carbon performance in new housing. Our preferred option is a 37 per cent saving on current carbon emissions, and those proposals include fabric performance, as well as an increased role for renewables and/or low-carbon heating systems.

I mentioned in my statement that we are proposing phasing out the use of high-carbon fossil fuels, and we want to move to a cleaner way of heating our homes with the introduction of low-carbon heating, and, of course, renewable energy generation is very important. When I was speaking to Inergy this morning—. Those community benefits are very important to me and you'll be aware of the targets that we set. 

Food miles is, again, an area where I think we've made real improvements during the COVID-19 pandemic. People have really appreciated our local Welsh food and drink producers in a way that, perhaps, they hadn't done before, and what we want to do is lock in that behaviour. So, we have a variety of schemes that we're promoting and supporting to ensure that we continue to do that.

I know that you're very interested in horticulture, and again, that's an area—. It's only 1 per cent of the agricultural sector, and it would be good if we could produce more of our fruit and veg in Wales, and I'm looking at ways that we can do that. I know that you and I have had many discussions about that, but I hope to bring some announcements to the Senedd later this year.