Climate Change Policy in Wales
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Welsh Context • Devolution since 1998,
encompassing a constitutional duty on Sustainable Development
Powers Include: • Health • Education • Economic development • Environment • Agriculture • Housing • Planning • Local government • Transport • Social Services • Welsh Language
• Climate Change Strategy for Wales
covering both mitigation and adaption (2010)
Overarching Commitments:
• 40% reduction in emissions by 2020
• 3% Annual Reduction in areas of devolved competence
• At least an 80% reduction by 2050
Climate Change Policy
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Some Examples of Action Taken
• Energy Efficiency and Fuel Poverty Programmes have improved the energy performance of 10,000 homes • 74% of the existing 221,000 social homes in Wales now have an energy rating of D or above and we are working to 100% of all homes by 2020.
• Highest recycling rates in the UK at 58% (4th in Europe) and first in the UK to bring in a charge for Plastic Bags
• Up to £750 million of investment being made through a programme to support local authorities delivering next generation waste facilities
• Safeguarded an area of forest the Size of Wales in Africa
• Plant a tree in Wales and one In Africa for every child born
Misc content to add Current Progress
• The 3% target is a
commitment to reduce
emissions within areas of
devolved competence by 3%
each year from 2011,
against a baseline of
average emissions over the
period 2006-2010
• The graph highlights that in
2012, the emissions were
30.16 MtCO2e which
equates to a decrease from
the baseline of 10.0%. This
reduction is therefore in
excess of our 3% reduction
target of 6% for 2012.
Current Progress
• The graph shows progress
against our 2020 target,
including the latest figures
from 2012 plus relative
contribution made by
different sectors to the total
emissions.
• Overall, the progress
against the 40% target
highlights that significant
further action is required,
to ensure that we meet the
2020 target and to deliver
against our long-term
emission reduction
commitment of at least
80% by 2050.
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• One of the first nations in the world to have a constitutional duty on sustainable development
Wales & Sustainable Development
“Our Welsh account of sustainable development: an emphasis on social, economic and environmental well-being for people and communities, embodying our values of fairness and social justice.”
“All our policies and programmes will reflect this commitment to sustainability and fairness so that we make sustainable development our central organising principle”
Duty: Improve the economic, social and environmental well-being of Wales by contributing to the to the achievement of all the goals
WHO Public Service Organisations:
Long-term Integration Collaboration Prevention Involvement
HOW Sustainable Development Principle
TRANSPARENCY Better information
PROGRESS National Indicators
WELL-BEING GOALS A sustainable Wales
A healthier Wales
A Wales of cohesive communities
A more equal Wales
A prosperous Wales
A resilient Wales
Annual reporting
SUPPORTING THE CHANGE Future Generations Commissioner for Wales Advice Review powers Recommendations Long term Future Generations
Report Advisory Panel
Local well-being plan
Strategic Needs Assessment
Welsh Government
National Museum
Arts Council
Sports Wales
National Library
HEFCW Velindre
NHS Trust Public Health
Wales National Park
Authorities
Natural Resources
Wales
Fire & Rescue Authority
Local Authorities
Local Health Boards
Community Councils
Public Services Boards Other partners
A Wales of vibrant culture and thriving Welsh language
EXAMINATIONS Auditor General for Wales
Examinations
Statement Responding to the Commissioner
Monitor
TRENDS Future Trends Report
The Wellbeing of Future Generations Bill
A globally responsible Wales
A prosperous Wales
A resilient Wales
A healthier Wales
A more equal Wales
A wales of cohesive
communities
vibrant culture and thriving
welsh language
A Wales of
A globally responsible
Wales
Environment Economic
Social
Cultural
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Evidence shows the capacity of our natural resources to continue to provide the services on which we depend is diminishing
Management of Natural Resources
There is a need for a better framework for evidence, planning and action – that will enable Wales to develop sustainably
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Introducing Legislation to
• Integrate natural resource management, based on the ecosystem approach and principles set out in Convention on Biological Diversity
• Provide a stronger legal framework for climate change targets and integrated action on mitigation and adaptation
• Further improve performance on waste management
Reforming Environmental legislation
• Commission on Sustainable Development
• Convention on Biological Diversity
• Framework Convention on Climate Change
International Connection
International Climate Change Activity
• A number of key networks of subnational governments
• Individual work programmes on key issues - e.g. Green Economy, Renewable Energy, Financing Climate Action, Water Resources and Sanitation
50 Governments and 7 associations of subnational governments
313 million people across 27 countries, with 10 affiliates in China A combined GDP of $9.7 trillion – 11% of global economy
International Initiatives
Compact of States and Regions
• A global account of greenhouse gas reduction targets made by state and regional governments
• A partnership between The Climate Group States & Regions, CDP, R20 and nrg4SD
• Supported by the UN
• COP Presidency Cities and Subnational Dialogue
• Recognition of the Role of Subnational Governments
UNFCCC Process
Policy Innovation
• Quebec and California - The Carbon Market Cap and Trade Agreement
• South Australia - Renewable Energy and Climate Change Adaptation
• Connecticut - Green Bank
• British Columbia – carbon tax and carbon neutral Government
• A clear pathway for decarbonisation with carbon budgets, which are clear on the contribution needed from different sectors and where accountability lies;
• Public Sector decarbonisation programme;
• Building climate resilience into the assessment of investment proposals in line with Wales Infrastructure Investment Plan priorities and social housing;
• Building resilience into social housing and into communities as part of the Tackling Poverty Action Plan and working with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation;
• Natural Resources Wales developing a plan to become net carbon positive in the future.
Written Statement March 2015
Key Policy Next steps
• Committed to ambitious targets but also have some key learning
• Taking a joined up approach founded on Sustainable Development principles
• Examples of successful delivery which show how climate change action can deliver social and economic benefit
• Strengthening our commitments through an innovative programme of Policy and Legislation
• Integrating action at a subnational level linked to the Commission on Sustainable Development, Convention on Biological Diversity, Framework Convention on Climate Change
In Summary