Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:01 pm on 3 November 2021.
Heading into COP26, approximately 70 per cent of the world economy is now covered by net-zero targets, up from less than 30 per cent when the UK took on the actual presidency of this conference. The Welsh Government, despite their proclamations to the contrary, is taking note. However, as a devolved nation, it is now incumbent for this Government to get behind the aims and ambitions on decarbonisation and supercharge clean energy production. That is why I am very proud to be moving today's motion for debate, so that we can refocus efforts, here in Wales, especially as last week's carbon budget 2 did unveil some weaknesses in the Welsh Government's approach to confronting the defining issue of our time. Indeed, whilst locally owned energy developments to secure an economic return for Wales was highlighted, in reality, you have taken a large step backwards by slashing business rate relief for privately owned hydro schemes. We should be empowering our land custodians and our farmers to assist with our green recovery. So, why, then, was there no statement by the Minister for rural affairs this week?
There is a clear need for the Welsh Government to establish an all-Wales marine energy investment fund to purchase equity in marine energy projects, including small-scale hydro, to produce renewable energy. Five months on from the closure of the consultation on a deposit return scheme, I note that the Welsh Government is still reviewing responses received, and that we still remain at the consultation stage for banning just nine single-use plastic items.
For the first time in living memory, I can honestly say I agree with a Labour MP. Fair play to Fleur Anderson for catching up with the Welsh Conservatives and our calls for action on wet wipes, especially the ones that contain plastic. As well as littering our river beds, Welsh Water say they deal with around 2,000 sewer blockages every month in Wales. The major causes of which are cotton buds and wipes that contain plastic. So, I hope that the Welsh Government will listen not just to us on these benches, but to their own Labour MPs, and act, here in Wales.
A kerbside deposit-return scheme, which took place in Conwy between June and July, saw a 97 per cent participation. So, this actually shows and evidences the public appetite for action. And I cannot ignore the First Minister's personal leadership pledge for him to deliver a clean air Act in the fifth Senedd. So, here we are now in the sixth Senedd, and Members are still asking and calling out for this legislation to be laid.
As our motion makes clear, to assist in our green recovery, we need to review planning rules and update existing legislation. Evidence from RTPI Cymru made clear that total expenditure on planning services has fallen by 50 per cent in Wales since 2009. This is really having an impact, especially on specialist areas of planning conditions, such as sustainable drainage—I'm sure my councillors know what SuDS are—but this is now proving a mitigating disaster for some local authorities, given the emphasis placed on them by this Government.
Due planning consideration must also be given to assisting a green transport network. At 1,002 charging points, Wales has just 3.8 per cent of the UK’s total charging points. Just this week, I've spoken to our taxi operators, who are now asking whether there will be any Welsh Government support for them towards an electric or zero-emission vehicle. This Welsh Government has set a target that all buses, as well as taxis and private hire vehicles, should be zero emission by 2028. Whilst I am aware that £50 million has been set aside by the UK Government to support this transition, if the Welsh Government is to meet its targets and safeguard jobs, then stakeholders have made clear to our Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee that action on funding must be taken, and taken now. To recognise the skills required to drive forward the green agenda, actions should be taken again—now—by this Welsh Government to upskill the Welsh workforce by implementing the Welsh Conservatives' pledge to deliver 150,000 new apprenticeships, thereby heeding the advice of ColegauCymru to diversify the green workforce.
We are also very keen to see a push made to generate new marine jobs, as the potential is untapped. The Welsh marine plan area consists of around 32,000 km of sea, but Wales has only 20,779 km of land, and I recognise and applaud my colleague Joyce Watson, because Joyce was on the CCEI committee before I was, and you have rightly championed this too, and the potential for jobs and action to come through the establishment of research projects such as planting seagrass meadows, which are known to actually capture carbon up to 35 times faster than tropical rainforests. So, as many people use the phrase now, it's a no-brainer.
This brings me onto the need legally for binding biodiversity targets implemented in the here and now, including placing the 30x30 initiative on a statutory footing.
The RSPB, Marine Conservation Society and other organisations have all given their time as witnesses to our committee to make clear the need for action before the conclusion of the phase 2 Convention on Biological Diversity COP15 talks in 2022. The Climate Change Risk Assessment 3 report from the UK Climate Change Committee made clear that there is a compelling need for enhanced monitoring and surveillance. This Senedd and its Members need clarification on what steps you are taking to increase data monitoring on things like soil health and resilience and its impact on biodiversity, its species and their habitats. And with money invested into this work, what long-term conservation jobs are going to be generated as a result?
Deputy Llywydd, as today’s debate will make clear, there is cross-party momentum for action on clean air, single-use plastics, biodiversity, conservation and many other things. So, why are we even waiting any longer? Why is there this dither and dawdle by the Minister and this Welsh Government? I'm afraid the world, our society and this climate cannot afford to gift this Welsh Government and the First Minister any more time on this. It's time for no more hot air: let's get on, and let's have some action, please. Thank you. Diolch.