4. Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Net-zero Strategy

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:54 pm on 2 November 2021.

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Photo of Delyth Jewell Delyth Jewell Plaid Cymru 3:54, 2 November 2021

Minister, I'd like to also ask about the UK Government. You've said previously that your department had little warning before the UK Government published the net-zero plan. As I understand, it was a matter of only hours. Could you tell us how this has affected how the strategy will interplay with the UK strategy? It might be useful for us to know your assessment of the extent to which the success of your strategy is dependent on action from the UK Government.

And finally, Minister, I'd like to ask about the Crown Estate. I'm sure Members in the Chamber and online will agree that, if we're to maximise our chances of reaching net zero, we have to have our own resources under our control. The Crown Estate's control of our sea bed and large tracts of land as well means that Wales doesn't have oversight of those resources. Some estimates show the UK Government could raise up to £9 billion over the next decade from auctioning sea-bed plots to windfarm developers. Powers over the Crown Estate are devolved to Scotland, but the millions of pounds of revenue brought in by the estate in Wales go to the Treasury and the monarch. That can't be right, Minister. So, I know the First Minister today has expressed an openness to the idea of seeking the devolution of these powers, so could you, Minister, tell us how much of a priority that will be for the Government please? And if it's not going to be a priority, how much do you estimate that these plans will be hampered as a result?195

I hope I've given you enough of a break for your throat. [Laughter.]