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A ground-breaking conference on climate change, bringing together all interested parties in Wales including the public sector, business, voluntary groups, was held in Cardiff yesterday. The Cross Sector Climate Change Group, which was a commitment in the Welsh Assembly Government’s Environment Strategy, will be key in ensuring that all sectors across Wales work together to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions which cause climate change.

Environment, Planning and Countryside Minister Carwyn Jones delivering the keynote speech at the event said:

“Climate change is one of the most serious issues facing the world.  It is down to all of us to take action, without exception. 

“Progress on energy efficiency, particularly in the public sector, has been encouraging.  But it is clear that more action needs to be taken.  For example, there is more we can do to encourage sustainable use of energy including microgeneration and I am pleased to announce a change to planning guidelines for local authorities.  I expect all local authorities to secure more sustainable buildings by reducing carbon emissions.  This should include a requirement that significant developments reduce their predicted CO2 emissions by 10 per cent.  This can be through a combination of building performance improvements, on-site renewables and efficient supply of heat, cooling and power.

”I look forward to working with the Climate Change Group to ensure that we in Wales do all that needs to be done and more to secure the future.”

The Climate Change Group will now advise the Welsh Assembly Government on further action to tackle climate change and minimise the effects of the changes which are already taking place. 

The Assembly Government’s Cabinet has signed up to taking action in each portfolio and work to tackle climate change is under way in all policy areas.
Work already under way includes:

• A series of pilots will be set up to evaluate the costs, benefits and potential contribution to tackling fuel poverty that can be made by renewable energy.
• The Assembly Government is committed to purchasing green energy and currently obtains approximately 90 per cent of its supplies from renewable sources.  It is looking to make this 100 per cent by 2010.
• The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme has helped over 64,000 households since 2000.  This year, £19.6 million is being spent on the Scheme.
• A two-year contract is in place for the supply of 100 per cent green energy for all Assembly street lighting.
• Local authorities have committed to a 12 per cent reduction in energy use and carbon emissions in the housing stock.
• NHS buildings have seen an increase of 11.7 per cent in the amount of electricity generated for combined heating and power on site.  Green energy accounts for 90% of the electricity purchased by the NHS. 

Note

The Environment Strategy, published in May 2006, made a commitment to set up a Cross Sector Climate Change Group to provide advice on climate change action in Wales.   The group will build a consensus on the action needed in Wales to address climate change, contribute to the development of Assembly Government policies and programmes on climate change, and advise on action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Wales.   It will also advise on the impacts arising from climate change in Wales and how best to adapt to them.

The group will meet as a whole on an annual basis but the detailed work will be undertaken by smaller sub-groups.

Microgeneration is defined in the Energy Act 2004 as the small-scale production of heat and/or electricity from a low carbon source. It covers energy produced from biomass, fuel cells, photovoltaics, particularly small hydro-electric plant, wind, solar power, ground/air source heat pumps, combined heat and power systems.