Wales ‘will fail to meet its target for emissions’
TThe Welsh Government has targeted a 40% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2020 he Welsh Government will miss its own targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, a National Assembly committee has concluded.
The Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee examines the issue in its first-ever climate change annual report.
In its Climate Change Strategy published in 2010, the Welsh Government set out its target of reducing greenhouse gases in Wales by 3% year on year and at least a 40% reduction by 2020.
The committee was given three reasons for the failure – the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme, the economic make-up of Wales and weather patterns.
But members concluded these variables should have been taken into account when the policies were developed and targets set.
The Welsh Government is being advised on its new approach, framed by the Environment (Wales) Act 2016, by the UK Committee on Climate Change, which has recommended it set new, lower targets in the short term.
The Assembly committee believes this is regrettable but necessary given the lack of progress by the Welsh Government.
Members also concluded the level of engagement by the Welsh Government’s cabinet on climate change was insufficient, with a lack of joint working across different departments.
Even though the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme may be a reason for missing emissions targets, the committee notes there is still no sign of a new scheme to take its place after the UK leaves the EU. The committee believes there needs to be a greater sense of urgency in addressing the issue.
“The Welsh Government’s targets on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Wales were ambitious but attainable,” said Swansea East Labour AM Mike Hedges, who chairs the committee.
“That the [Welsh] Government will miss these targets by some margin is deeply disappointing and the committee is not convinced by some of the reasoning behind the failure.
“We believe there needs to be a much more co-ordinated approach across government departments if Wales is to truly become a greener, more sustainable nation.
“In the short term we accept the view of the Committee on Climate Change that the Welsh Government revise down its targets.
“We have made a number of recommendations in our report around agriculture, forestry, housing and transport, which we believe will ensure ministers will deliver on their climate change commitments and obligations.”
The committee recommended the Welsh Government should provide carbon assessments of the new M4 road project near Newport and information on the development of mitigation measures featured in carbon assessments.
The Welsh Government should also provide evidence that supports its position that improving traffic flow will reduce emissions and air quality, according to committee members.
Plaid Cymru’s climate change spokesman Simon Thomas commented: “We cannot let a departing First Minister at the end of his political life decide the future of such a major project that will affect future governments and generations.”