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

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:05 pm on 2 November 2021.

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Photo of Mike Hedges Mike Hedges Labour 4:05, 2 November 2021

I also thank the Minister for her statement. First, can I request that the science is explained? It is net zero rather than zero because we exhale carbon dioxide. Carbon is oxidised to form carbon dioxide. We know that carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas because, despite being substantially further away from the sun than Mercury, Venus is hotter. The difference is that Venus has an atmosphere made up mainly from carbon dioxide. I have four requested actions: reduce Welsh Government Ministers' travel using virtual visits and meetings to set an example; ban the extraction of peat and the use of peat in Wales; set annual net tree planting targets at local authority level; and set an expectation that those in administrative positions in Welsh Government-funded bodies work from home or a local hub over half the time, with exception reports produced for the Welsh Government. Finally, I hope the next COP meeting is a virtual meeting with zero travel.