A report to John Griffith, Welsh Minister for the Environment, from Lord Deben, Chair of the Committee on Climate Change, makes depressing reading.
Having now made the subtle change from avoiding climate change, to preparing for climate change, it is clear that there is no more appetite to reduce CO2 – now at an alarming 394.39 part per million in the atmosphere – than there ever was. One of the only factors which will reduce the amount of CO2 we put in the atmosphere is economic hardship – and that is bad news for the majority of people in Wales who are seeing their living standards eroded and their jobs balanced on a knife edge.
Pippa Bartolotti, Leader of the Green Party in Wales said: “This Labour Government is sleeping on the job. There is so much government could be doing both to support industry and households. Far too many houses are not heat efficient, wasting almost as much energy as they use. And industry needs access to top notch specialists who can assist in reducing emissions and improving processes.
“Climate change is upon us, and the medicine doesn’t have to be bitter. It can be positive and productive. We are supposed to be reducing CO2 emissions by 3% a year, and we could do more. But without strong and clear strategies from the Wales Government individuals and business will just muddle on as before, making the effects of climate change even worse.” Climate change means problems for many, many people. For example flooding, which we know is on the increase, is being exacerbated by irresponsible building on flood plains. This report tells us that one-fifth of floodplain development occurred in areas currently at significant risk of flooding. This means far too many new houses are still being built which will cause untold misery to their occupants from rising waters due to climate change.
Pippa Bartolotti added:” The report also asks for an assessment to be carried out on the emission reductions from transport. It is almost criminal that this hasn’t already been done. Wales stands no chance of meeting its 2020 emissions reduction targets with this kind of lackadaisical attitude in a Labour government.”
1. Reducing emissions and preparing for climate change in Wales: 2013 Progress Report