The Welsh Conservatives’ Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Energy and Rural Affairs – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has today (11 August) spoken of her concerns about the Welsh Government’s ability to meet its emission reduction targets in the long term. 

Wales currently has a 27% statutory reduction target that was set by the Environment (Wales) Act and agreed by the Welsh Parliament in December 2018. But according to a public statement on the Natural Resources Wales website:  

The Welsh Government also want Wales to achieve at least a 40% reduction in total greenhouse gas by 2020 compared to figures from 1990. 

This was an target that was first introduced in 2010. In response to a Written Question regarding the Welsh Government's progress on meeting this non-statutory target, Lesley Griffiths replied that the ‘most recent available data (for 2018) shows emissions in Wales have fallen by 31% against the base year [1990].’ 

Commenting on the Welsh Minister’s reply, Janet said:  

“I am most concerned by Lesley Griffith’s indication that Wales will fail to meet its overarching aim of reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent from 1990 base levels, by the end of this year. 

“Whilst the Welsh Minister operates on optimism and statistical wrangling, her department has failed to offer bold leadership on the issue, with slow and inconsistent progress in meeting their emission targets.  

“Despite commendable work to reduce emissions from the energy sector, which is largely the reserve of the UK Conservative Government, more support must be offered in the immediate term to help Welsh industry maintain their lower emission levels. 

“For the public to have confidence in Welsh Government actions, it must increase accountability over these targets and welcome a wide range of stakeholders to the table. It is clear that a step change is required to level up our nation’s response to global climate change.” 

ENDS 

Notes for Editors:  

Janet Finch-Saunders (Aberconwy): 

Will the Minister make a statement on the progress of the Welsh Government’s carbon emission reduction target, to reduce overall emissions by 40 per cent from 1990 levels by 2020? (WQ80868) 

Lesley Griffiths MS: 

The Welsh Government’s statutory greenhouse gas emission reduction target of 27% was set by the Environment (Wales) Act and agreed by the Senedd in December 2018. This was the level recommended by our independent statutory advisors, the Committee on Climate Change. 

The most recent available data (for 2018) shows emissions in Wales have fallen by 31% against the base year. We are optimistic Wales’ continued efforts to reduce emissions will mean we achieve the 27% target in 2020. 

Photo: Patrick Hendry/UnSplash