Thank you for writing to me regarding your concerns about the environment and climate change, and the need for a Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill.

I firmly believe in both tackling Wales’ contribution to climate change, and protecting our vibrant natural environment. As we recover from the Coronavirus pandemic, I believe that it is important that we develop a more prosperous, resilient Wales, and that we should use this opportunity to tackle some of the biggest issues facing the country.

Therefore, I am pleased that the UK Conservative Government has re-affirmed its commitment to achieving its legislated aim of net zero emissions by 2050 as part of the wider economic recovery. I am also pleased that the UK Conservative Government is committed to transforming environmental governance within the UK and strengthening the protections currently in place through the Environment Bill. This Bill, which is currently making its way through Parliament, embeds environmental ambition and accountability at the heart of government and will make environmental considerations central to future policy-making, ensuring that we succeed in leaving the environment in a better condition than we found it.

In Wales, it is important that we show the same level of ambition and leadership to tackle some of the biggest issues facing the country. However, I am disappointed that the Welsh Labour-led Government has not brought forward important bills during this Welsh Parliament on these issues, including proposals to improve environmental governance and to reduce air pollution.

A future Welsh Conservative Government, therefore, will introduce a suite of policies to improve our natural environment and to reduce Wales’ contribution to climate change. We will take a broader approach to environmental issues, including introducing a Clean Air Act for Wales in order to tackle the public health crisis caused by air pollution, whilst reducing emissions across the country. We also want to ensure that people across Wales are equipped with the skills needed to help create a greener and more prosperous economy, whilst working with businesses, industry and transport providers to reduce emissions.

Furthermore, the Welsh Conservatives recognise the importance of taking urgent action to both protect and enhance our precious natural environments and wildlife biodiversity. A Welsh Conservative Government will legislate for ambitious targets to improve nature and biodiversity in Wales, as well as updating the planning system to mandate biodiversity net gains on new developments. Also, our ‘liveable cities’ strategy aims to develop more environmentally sustainable towns and cities across Wales by bringing nature closer to where people live, including developing more urban green spaces and supporting the creation of more woodlands in both rural and urban areas.

Finally, please be assured that I will pass on your concerns, as well as you ideas to tackle climate change and improve the improve the environment, to my colleague Janet Finch-Saunders MS, the Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Energy and Rural Affairs.

Thank you once again for taking the time to write to me.

Mark Isherwood MS