7. Debate on the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee Report: The decarbonisation of transport

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:53 pm on 2 December 2020.

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Photo of Russell George Russell George Conservative 4:53, 2 December 2020

Diolch, Deputy Presiding Officer. Can I thank the Members who have taken part today? I think there was quite a bit of discussion in terms of climate change in the main—I think Nick Ramsay and Rhianon Passmore in particular. And, interestingly, the UN Secretary-General made a statement on this today with regard to the importance of the UN's work in this important area.

I thank Huw Irranca-Davies for his contribution. I thank him for his work as the chair of the cross-party group on active travel. I very much listened to his ideas. I welcome the proposal he made in terms of testing active travel projects; I think, of course, that is welcome as well. We didn't look into freight in any detail, Huw, I would say in that regard, but outside committee I've done work around that myself—I've taken a particular interest in that area. But I think in that particular instance, I think perhaps Welsh Government can set out its thoughts in terms of its low-carbon budget plan. And then there are the low-carbon flights that Huw Irranca-Davies mentioned as well. We didn't take evidence on that either in this particular piece of work, but we have taken evidence on that since, in work in terms of the COVID recovery. What we have heard is that Wales is in a good place in terms of being able to take a positive lead on hydrogen aircraft, but that will need, of course, big investment, but I think this can certainly be part of wider COVID recovery.

Helen Mary Jones pointed out about Welsh Government going further on bus legislation and support and integration. I think, of course, now this is going to be for the next Welsh Government to clearly take forward. And, of course, it's relevant as well for each party represented in the Senedd to consider their own party manifestos. But I've made a note, because I think it's important that we look at that in terms of our legacy report, and making those recommendations for a future committee to do further work on.

David Rowlands referenced the grid capacity, and that's something that we did look at in committee, and something I take an interest in myself. What else have we got here? I thank the Deputy Minister for his comments. I can say that, you know, again he missed the point about the progress that the Government has made, and I suppose I'd point out that committee will keep challenging Government in that regard.

In terms of the rest of the other points made, can I thank all those who did contribute to our debate? I thank, of course, all those that gave evidence—written evidence and oral evidence—to our inquiry. Can I thank the committee team—the clerking team and the integrated team—for all their support as well? I think decarbonisation is a challenge that Governments around the world are grappling with, and I think perhaps the pandemic has created both opportunities and challenges in this regard, with the increase in telecommuting, but also the need to reassure people that public transport is safe—I think that's probably perhaps the challenge ahead. But the formation of the new Wales transport strategy and delivery plans, I think, presents an opportunity to lock in some of the benefits from what continues to be an increasingly difficult situation. So, can I thank all those who have taken part, and those who contributed to our piece of work? Diolch yn fawr. Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer.