MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet
Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs: The Welsh
Government declared a climate emergency in 2019 and subsequently
the Senedd set Wales on a statutory pathway towards net zero
emissions in 2050. In the years since then, we have started
creating opportunities to renew and revitalise our economy and
communities, to increase energy security, create green jobs, and
reduce electricity bills. By adopting cleaner and more efficient
technologies, we can reduce other forms of pollution too,
protecting our precious environment and improving our nation's
health.
We have also seen the increasingly clear impacts of climate
change both globally and in Wales, with three of the warmest
years on record and some of the wettest winters experienced in
living memory. Just this year we've seen the fourth driest March
and the hottest start to May on record, with 27.6C recorded in
Cardiff.
As well as taking action to reduce emissions, we are acting
decisively now to address the risks these changes pose for our
country. Our Climate Adaptation
Strategy, which I published last October, sets out what is
being done right across the country to build resilience to the
impacts of climate change, such as droughts, flooding, and
wildfires. While this work is essential, achieving our carbon
budgets will help us mitigate further emissions and the
associated risks.
Today, the Climate Change Committee
published its advice on the level of Wales' Carbon Budget 4,
which covers the years 2031 to 2035 (external link). It has
also advised on the carbon unit limit for Carbon Budget 3, which
covers the years 2026 to 2030. Carbon units provide the mechanism
by which Ministers can use international offsets towards meeting
carbon budgets, as an alternative to domestic action.
Achieving our carbon budgets is about doing all we can in ways
which are cost-effective, timely and fair to everyone across
society. It is about using the net zero transition to address
existing inequalities and improve social and economic justice.
In practice, government of course has an important role to play
but we will not reach net zero and realise the many benefits
without a national effort. We need to harness the commitment and
effort of people, businesses and communities across Wales,
working together to grow a stronger, greener future.
The Climate Change Committee plays a vital role in helping shape
Wales' journey to net zero and I am grateful for the significant
effort and expertise that went into producing this comprehensive
advice. We will now consider the Committee's recommendations,
along with the other evidence required by the Environment (Wales)
Act 2016. In the autumn, I intend to bring regulations to the
Senedd to set Carbon Budget 4 and the carbon unit limit for
Carbon Budget 3 in law. We will also draw on the advice as we
continue to develop our plan for meeting Carbon Budget 3, which
will be published before the end of 2026.
