Thank you for writing to me regarding the important issue of climate change in Wales.
I am proud of the UK Government’s role in tackling climate change and the transition to “Clean Growth”, with the UK being the first country to legislate to eliminate our contribution to climate change by 2050, and the fastest in the G20 to cut emissions. Since 1990, the UK economy has grown by 75 per cent while cutting emissions by 43 per cent.
When the UK took on the COP26 Presidency, in partnership with Italy, only 30 per cent of the world was covered by net zero targets. I am glad that figure is now at around 90 per cent.
I was also strongly encouraged by the progress and agreements achieved at COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021. The Glasgow Climate Pact calls on countries to accelerate efforts towards the phase down of unabated coal power and phase out of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies, while providing targeted support to the poorest and most vulnerable in line with national circumstances and recognising the need for support towards a just transition.
Additionally, in the UK's latest Carbon Budget, the Prime Minister has set the world's most ambitious climate target in law of reducing emissions by 78 per cent by 2035, compared to 1990 levels. This will take us over three-quarters of the way to net zero and comes on top of our interim target of reducing emissions by 68 per cent by 2030, also compared to 1990 levels.
As climate change is a devolved matter, it is vital that the Labour Welsh Government uses its powers to ensure that Wales plays its part in combatting climate change. As you may know, the Labour Welsh Government declared a climate change emergency in 2019, however, has so far failed to take any serious action. It is particularly concerning that the Committee on Climate Change has previously reported that Wales is not on track to meet its 80% target let alone achieve Net Zero. The Labour Welsh Government therefore needs to take the action required to tackle climate change, rather than hide behind empty rhetoric.
While Welsh Conservatives welcome the news that the Labour Welsh Government has listened to our calls to bring forward a Clean Air Act, it is concerning that this has taken far too long. The First Minister pledged to implement such an Act in his 2018 leadership manifesto yet, over three years later, it is still yet to be introduced. Furthermore, Welsh Conservatives have called for the implementation of a Deposit Return Scheme to increase recycling rates, as well as the banning of single use plastics. Such policies would help to conserve our nation’s natural beauty and wildlife, as well as our crucial marine life.
I also agree that it is often the less privileged communities that are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change with events such as severe flooding becoming annual events for many in Wales. It is therefore vital that the Welsh Government implement schemes such as a National Flood Agency in Wales to take immediate action to ensure that the clean-up of flooding events takes place and that the causes of flooding are identified and tackled as quickly as possible.
Please do be assured that my colleagues and I will continue to hold the Welsh Government to account and ensure that climate change is a top priority.