The Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Energy and Rural Affairs – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has today (06 November) marked the ending of Wales Climate Change Week 2020 by urging the Welsh Government to reflect on their inaction on this important issue. 

The Shadow Minister has used the week to raise pertinent questions on hydropower, potential for the battery sector and the impact of biomass heat projects on air quality. The Member's Written Questions are recorded on the Welsh Parliament’s record of proceedings.  

Commenting, Janet said:  

“Whilst I welcome the Wales Climate Change Week initiative, it is a sad and undeniable fact that the Welsh Labour-led Government has failed to take the matter of climate change seriously, with an un-costed and vague plan to combat the issue. Moves to implement clean, renewable energy have also stalled which will have knock-on impacts for our green Coronavirus recovery. 

“The administration’s most recent Energy Generation in Wales report has revealed how progress had stalled. There was a decrease in hydropower projects commissioned in 2019 and continued slow movement to assist with proposals for floating offshore wind. Welsh solar PV also experienced an increase of less than 1% from between 2018 and 2019, failing to replicate the clear appetite for this technology. 

“The Welsh Government has also misunderstood the seriousness of air pollution and poor air quality in Wales. Over 13,000 lost life-years in Wales can be attributed to exposure to air pollution, costing the Welsh NHS approximately £1 billion each year. I am astonished that Welsh Labour has failed to introduce a Clean Air Act, despite the First Minister’s commitment. 

“I hope that the Welsh Government used Wales Climate Change Week to reflect on their inaction. After all, proposals to replicate the Green Homes Grant scheme in Wales and to support plans for floating wind turbines in the Celtic Sea will not only confront climate change, but also offer the opportunity to generate thousands of long-term green jobs in the process. 

“Boosting use of the wide spectrum of renewable energy is a brilliant way to help tackle Climate Change.  However, Welsh Labour will continue to fail Wales if they do not commit to improving grid capacity.” 

ENDS 

Notes for Editors:  

• Please find the Energy Generation in Wales, by clicking here.  
• Please find Janet’s Climate Change Week PR, by clicking here.  
• Please find Janet’s Written Question on hydropower, by clicking here. 

Photo: Micah Hallahan on Unsplash