I wish to speak once in relation to all four instruments known collectively as the climate change (Wales) regulations 2021. Having considered these in our CCERA committee and read the short report by the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee, I am pleased to give these regulations my full support. Now, whilst this is a step in the right direction, though, it is symbolic of some lack of ambition that the Welsh Government has had since declaring a climate emergency in 2019, June.

Of course, it is welcome news that section 29 is being amended, so that '80%' is substituted by '100%', but we are the last in the UK to come in line with the net-zero targets. In fact, I agree with the view expressed by the environmental sector that there is potential for Wales to demonstrate greater ambition and go even further than the targets that are set out here in these regulations. A brilliant example is the agricultural sector. Whilst we have seen you break one promise by dedicating Welsh Government resources to disproportionately target agricultural pollution across Wales, and break another by failing to deliver a clean air Act, there is a need for us to celebrate and back the huge effort that is being made by our farmers across Wales.

I am proud of the fact that NFU Cymru and the NFU have set the ambitious goal of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the whole of agriculture in Wales and England by 2040. As the president of NFU Cymru has rightly highlighted, there is no single answer. To achieve the aim, we need a range of measures that fall under three broad headings: improving farmers' productive efficiency; improving land management and enhancing land use to capture more carbon; boosting renewable energy and the wider bioeconomy. So, I do encourage you to endorse the 'Achieving Net Zero: Farming's 2040 Goal' report, and act on its asks, including: developing future agricultural policy that provides a long-term commitment to supporting the transition to net-zero agriculture, with a focus on productivity underpinned by measures to provide stability and address volatility beyond the control of individual farm businesses; support novel building and insulation materials like sheep's wool, and policy measures to facilitate further uptake, addressing current barriers; and a route to market for small to large-scale renewable energy projects.

You already know that I think that the Agriculture (Wales) White Paper fails to champion productivity and could sadly lead to a higher reliance on imports. You already know that I want you to support my Welsh wool pledge. And you already know my views on your failures with renewable energy, such as the most recent retrograde step of scrapping business rate grants for hydropower schemes in private ownership from 1 April 2021, and this has the potential to negatively impact on 75 per cent of small-scale hydro operators in Wales. At a time when the CCC's latest report points out that Wales is not currently on track to achieve an 80 per cent reduction in emissions, let alone net zero by 2050, I do encourage you to reflect on your actions and note the collective view expressed in the CCERA report on the regulations, and I quote:

'Rhetoric must now be met with bold and decisive action.'

This climate crisis now—we've had 'climate change' and then 'climate emergency'; it is fair to say that we are now in a climate crisis. Hopefully, the next Welsh Government, whoever it may be, will provide the bold and decisive action that is desperately needed now as we go forward. Thank you. Diolch.