3. Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: Climate Change — Final Statement for Carbon Budget 1

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:02 pm on 6 December 2022.

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Photo of Janet Finch-Saunders Janet Finch-Saunders Conservative 3:02, 6 December 2022

I would like to start by congratulating the people of Wales, and thank you for statement, Minister. It has taken a nationwide effort to achieve the first carbon budget and the 2020 emissions reduction interim target, and, as such, everyone involved should be proud. 'Prosperity for All: A Low Carbon Wales' was your plan for meeting the first plan carbon budget 2016-20 and the 2020 interim target. It included 100 policies and proposals across ministerial portfolios. However, we know that reductions were dominated by the power sector, which was responsible for 85 per cent of the total decrease in emissions from 2016 to 2018. In fact, the slow-down and closure of Aberthaw coal-fired power station contributed to 55 per cent of the total fall in emissions between 2016 and 2020. So, bearing in mind the previous over-reliance on reductions in the power sector, can you provide an update as to whether we're seeing a similar pattern during the current carbon budget, and, if so, what urgent action will be taken to try and deliver widespread reductions? 

As you know, 'Net Zero Wales Carbon Budget 2 (2021 to 2025)' set out 123 policies and proposals from the Welsh Government. I know that you have said that you'll be publishing a progress report on your current five-year national climate change adaption plan, but can you outline today how many of the 123 policies and proposals are actually on their way to being actioned so far? Only by considering this broader picture and shouldering our global responsibility can we truly protect our precious world for future generations.

The Committee on Climate Change 2020 report, 'Land use: Policies for a Net Zero UK', highlighted that agricultural emissions should not be offshored. To quote:

'Achieving emissions reduction should not be at the expense of producing less food in the UK and increasing imports. As the UK is a relatively low-greenhouse gas producer of ruminant meat'— compared to global averages—

'this risks exporting emissions abroad and increasing consumption emissions.'

Now, on 9 November, this Welsh Parliament unanimously voted in favour of a motion that called on the Welsh Government to, for example, develop a more self-sufficient food system for Wales, use procurement levers to create a requirement for supply chains to be free from deforestation, conversion and social exploitation as part of the transition to utilising locally produced and sustainable goods, and also to support Welsh farmers to eliminate imported livestock feed that is linked to deforestation and habitat conversion overseas, and, also, to support international projects and initiatives aimed at preserving and restoring forests in the main commodity-producing countries.

So, my final question, Minister: what progress have you made on those actions that we voted for you to undertake? And bearing in mind what we now know about the emissions caused by Wales through the goods and services we consume, which projects are you going to support in the main commodity-producing countries? What progress have you made in establishing a way of interpreting the 30x30 target? Thank you. Diolch.

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