4. Statement by the Deputy Minister for Climate Change: COP26

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:58 pm on 16 November 2021.

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Photo of Mike Hedges Mike Hedges Labour 3:58, 16 November 2021

I welcome the statement and the opportunity to question the Minister. COP26 was a disappointment; I think everybody is of that view. When you saw the number of planes landing, it was easy to see that it was not going to be a success. Too many countries put short-term economic benefit before both the environment and their long-term economic benefit. I always thought that if people saw the results of climate change, they would demand action. Too many consider major weather events as just bad luck, rather than the inevitable consequence of climate change. We cannot change COP26. What we can do is, in Wales, act as an example to the rest of the world. Will the Minister commit to working towards making Wales an example to the world on what can be done to reduce carbon emissions? Will the Government support, post COVID, the Senedd continuing to meet in a hybrid manner, thus reducing our own carbon footprint? Will the Government produce a strategy not only for the change in the mode of transport used but an annual reduction in the miles travelled?