7. Plaid Cymru Debate: Climate and biodiversity

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:28 pm on 30 June 2021.

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Photo of Julie James Julie James Labour 5:28, 30 June 2021

Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Thank you very much, everyone, for taking part in the debate. I'm really delighted to have a chance to put this issue in front of the Chamber quite so early in the new Senedd term. As people have pointed out, we will not be opposing the motion. In fact, I'm very much pleased to be supporting it. We are, of course, putting climate change and nature at the heart all the decisions in this new Government. We are very aware of the challenges we face. Globally, biodiversity is still being lost at a frightening rate, and the situation in Wales is similar, with the rapid decline in our most precious species and habitats.

It was heartening, though, Deputy Presiding Officer, to listen to a number of Members mention the species champion role that they've undertaken. I know that people are very proud of the species that they've championed, and a number of Members mentioned them. I myself am the species champion for the native oyster, and have been very pleased to see the reseeding of the native oyster beds around Swansea and the coast of Gower. I know that my colleague Lee Waters is the species champion for the hedgehog, a well-known indicator of a good ecosystem, and a well-known predator of slugs and other the garden pests. So, we too are very proud of ours. We are very happy to work with the species champions across the Chamber, and I encourage any new Member who has not yet got a species champion in tow to take one on as soon as you can. You do learn an awful lot about the ecosystem necessary to support your species and also what action you can take in order to champion it.