The Welsh Conservatives’ Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Energy and Rural Affairs – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has today (05 August) urged the Welsh Government by support innovations like vehicle to grid technology, as a way of fostering long term green collar jobs and to develop a nation of 'sustainable energy managers'.

Her comments come as Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that £350 million is being made available to cut emissions in heavy industry and to drive an economic recovery from Coronavirus. The investment package will help businesses to decarbonise and will secure the UK’s place at the forefront of green innovation. 

Commenting on her proposals, Janet said: 

“Wales has an opportunity to be at the vanguard of green innovation, by driving change through bold policy steps. Innovations like vehicle to grid technology helps to fed electricity back into the national grid, which aides the network at times of peak demand.

"This process will not only increase the desirability of electric vehicles, thus fostering long term manufacturing and engineering jobs, but it will also help to develop a nation of sustainable energy managers who are conscious of how much electricity they are using.  

“If Cardiff Bay truly recognises that climate change will be among the greatest challenges of our time, the Welsh Government should be actively plotting a COVID-19 recovery that helps to stimulate the creation of long-term green collar jobs. This means leaving nothing off of the table.

“As the official opposition in the Welsh Parliament, the Welsh Conservatives will continue to press for business-first plans that help to cut emissions, nurture jobs and supercharge our economy. I urge the Welsh Government to look at further investing in this area to help meet that nation's emission targets."

ENDS