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

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:15 pm on 2 November 2021.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Jack Sargeant Jack Sargeant Labour 4:15, 2 November 2021

I do welcome this statement from the Minister, so I thank the Minister for that. It's absolutely right that our minds are focused on the changes that we all have to make to reach net zero, but I do believe it's going to take some bold and tough decisions to reach the true net zero, and I'd like this to be reflected in everything we do as Governments and everything we do in society. One of the key areas I see is public sector pension investments, and I'd be very keen to encourage the Minister, her officials, and Members from across the Chamber to read my piece for the Welsh Fabians, which has been published today on this. Now, Minister, I do recognise that we don't have the competence to do this, but I do believe there are other ways of achieving this. For example, we could include public sector pension fund investments in our carbon neutral public sector targets in 2030. Now, this would provide, in my opinion, the impetus to the campaign and send signals to public sector investment funds to create products that don't invest in oil and gas. So, therefore, do I have your support, Minister, and the influence of your ministry for climate change—the Welsh Government's ministry for climate change—to help strengthen this campaign as we take it forward?