MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet
Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs: The recent
storms, the words ringing in our ears from COP30 and the
opportunities for growth from change tell us the need to
decarbonise our economy has never been more urgent. We must stick
to our course. We know that climate change is already impacting
different sectors, organisations, communities and individuals in
different ways. We also know that tackling these issues can put
money in people's pockets, help people to live healthier lives in
cleaner air and protect our precious natural environment. The
excellent conversations held during the recent Wales Climate Week
highlighted the need to act and to involve those people and
communities most likely to be affected.
In Net Zero Wales – Carbon
Budget 2 (2021-2025) we made a commitment to deliver a ‘just
transition' away from the fossil fuel-driven economy of the past
to a new low-carbon future, learning lessons from previous
transitions.
In Wales, a just transition means achieving net zero carbon
emissions by 2050 in a way that distributes the benefits and
costs fairly across Welsh society. The aim is to deliver a
fairer, greener and more prosperous future in partnership with
businesses, workers and communities across Wales.
The Welsh Government's approach to planning for a just transition
is underpinned by the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales)
Act. This means we want to ensure that action on climate is taken
in a way that avoids creating or exacerbating inequalities. We
want to support a systems-based approach to understanding, and
addressing, risks and opportunities.
On 2 December, the Senedd took important steps in agreeing to set
Carbon Budget 4 (2031-2035) at an average reduction of 73%
against the baseline and to deliver the emissions reductions
required in Carbon Budget 3 (2026-2030) through domestic action,
rather than purchasing international credits. In doing so, we are
securing the maximum possible benefits for the people of Wales,
and capitalising on the opportunity to make our society fairer at
the same time.
Today, we are proud to publish the Just Transition Framework,
setting out our approach to achieving a just transition in Wales
to net zero by 2050. The Framework is aimed at those taking
climate action, which includes all levels of government,
businesses, third sector, and community-level.
Our next step is to collaborate with public sector bodies,
private sector businesses and community groups to help embed the
Framework into their ways of working. We will listen and be
receptive on this journey, to help make sure the right level of
targeted guidance and support is provided to those who need it,
and to adapt and improve the Framework, where necessary.
We know in broad terms what we must do to get to net zero here in
Wales. The detail will be in the next net zero plan, due to be
published at the end of next year. This Framework is not focussed
on the ‘what', but on the ‘how'. It will be fundamental in making
sure that the policy and decisions made to reduce our emissions
deliver not just a greener future, but a fairer future, for
everyone in Wales.
