The new First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, has reaffirmed his commitment to fighting climate change by attending the global talks in Copenhagen.
In his first official engagement since taking post, he will tell UN delegates that the world’s nations must do all they can to come to a meaningful deal to avert runaway climate change.
He will be addressing UN officials and speaking at a reception for Governor Arnold Schwarzeneger.
The First Minister said:
“Despite the attempts of the sceptics and those opposed to this agenda, the world must not fail in its duty to come to a meaningful deal that will protect us all from runaway climate change. Together we must take action now if we are to have any chance of limiting the damage that Climate Change will cause.
“We need to help move people away from the lives they live now towards the lives they need to live in the future. This is a challenge no country can avoid. I am determined that Wales will do its part – I am committed to this cause. Wales may be a small nation, but we have a moral duty to lead by example.
“These are not empty words; we are not coming to this debate empty handed. We have made a commitment to cut annual emissions in areas we control by 3% a year from 2011, leading to an 80% reduction before 2050. We are backing this with £300 million of spending across the Assembly Government.
“I am a realist. I know these talks are a challenge and there is a huge mountain to climb, but climb it we must. We must come away from here with more than words; we must all leave Copenhagen with real actions that lead to lasting change.”
