Welsh Labour Leadership contender, Carwyn Jones, has pledged that if he becomes the next First Minister, he will head to Copenhagen to deliver Wales’ recently agreed commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in person to the climate change conference.
Carwyn believes last week’s motion in the National Assembly, committing Wales to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by the year 2020, should be a priority for the next First Minister. In his manifesto Carwyn made the economy and climate change his top two priorities.
The Motion – which was agreed by all political parties in Cardiff Bay – also called on the Welsh Assembly Government to encourage other governments to follow Wales’ example, by instituting their own similarly ambitious reduction targets.
Wales’ decision comes just two weeks ahead of the United Nations Climate Change conference in Copenhagen. The purpose of the conference is to attempt to reach agreement on finding a successor to the Kyoto Protocol on climate change, which expires in 2012.
Carwyn has now pledged that if elected the Leader of Welsh Labour and subsequently becomes First Minister, he will take Wales’ message to Copenhagen personally, in a bid to encourage other nations to follow the Welsh lead.
As former Environment Minister, Carwyn played a key role in the Assembly Government’s impressive record on tackling climate change. He published the first Sustainable Development Scheme, mainstreaming sustainability through the Assembly’s activities and ensured delivery of ambitious targets on recycling, energy efficiency and renewable energy.
In 2006 Carwyn published a 20-year Environment Strategy for Wales, focusing on a new programme to improve local environmental quality and implementing a Climate Change adaptation plan.
Speaking about the challenges that lie ahead for Wales, Carwyn said:
“Wales has made great strides in recent years and is leading the way in tackling climate change. From the ‘One Wales’ programme for Government and the commitment to achieve an annual emission reduction of 3% from 2011, through to the establishment of the Climate Change Commission and the publication of our own Climate Change Strategy.
“If I become First Minister, I will be looking towards promoting greater energy efficiency. This will not only reduce Wales’ carbon footprint but will also address fuel poverty.
“The 2020 target on greenhouse gas emissions agreed last week is important, however, there is an imperative that we start making real and sustained progress on reductions now. The sooner we start making headway on this, then the sooner the commitment we made last week, can be delivered.
“I want to make it clear. The target we have set in Wales is not about ambition. We see it being about necessity for our planet and for our children. If a small country like Wales can muster the political will – across party lines – then it is incumbent on other countries, to follow suit at Copenhagen next month.”
Commenting on his intention to deliver Wales’ message to the climate change conference in person, if he becomes First Minister, Carwyn Jones said:
“Developed countries are being challenged to achieve 40% reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. In Wales, if we add the annual 3% reduction already agreed in ‘One Wales’ to our current reduction since 1990 – which equates to14% – this means that we will achieve more than 40% on current plans, without offsetting. This makes Wales an exemplar for other nations to follow.
“The Welsh Assembly Government has a political determination, to take serious action when it comes to our environmental responsibilities. We are showing other Governments what has to be achieved, if we are to collectively, take the necessary action to stop and reverse climate change in the years ahead.
“Wales is now in an unparalleled position on climate change – a status that this gives us both a strength and credibility within the international community, despite being a small country.
“There can be no better way to encourage other Governments to follow our example, than for the First Minister to deliver Wales’ message in person in Copenhagen.”
