Government releases climate crisis plan to make Wales net zero by 2050
There's more than 120 policies and proposals to make Wales greener
Last updated 28th Oct 2021
Wales' Government have set out the country's plan to fight the climate crisis, with Wales set to become totally net zero by 2050.
First Minister Mark Drakeford and Climate Change Minister Julie James say a 'decade of action' is needed to tackle climate change.
The plan, named Net Zero Wales, focuses on the Welsh Government's second carbon budget (2021-2025).
It also sets out that by 2050, Wales will be adding no more amount of greenhouse gas to the atmosphere than it takes out.
The net zero plan contains 123 government polices and proposals which span from areas such as peatland restoration to introducing more renewable energy.
See some of the main Net Zero Wales proposals below:
- Building 20,000 new low carbon social homes for rent
- Investing in travel options that encourage people to use public transport more and support walking and cycling.
- Increasing tree planting – including how Welsh Government will support communities to create 30 new woodlands and connect habitat areas.
- Legislating to abolish the use of more commonly littered, single use plastics.
- Introducing an extended producer responsibility scheme to incentivise waste reduction by businesses
- Ensuring wide scale peatland restoration and sustainable management through our National Peatland Policy Ambition
- Supporting innovation in new renewable energy technology
- Planning for a national energy grid that is fit for a renewable future, working with network operators
- Developing green skills in businesses - Upskilling and training employees to take advantage of the potential economic opportunities for Wales through decarbonisation, such as in manufacturing and housing.
- Working with the public sector so that by March 2023 all public sector organisations will report their emissions and publish their plans to achieve Net Zero, with the aim of collectively achieving Net Zero across the Welsh public sector by 2030.
Formally launching the plan at an event at the Solar Heat Energy Demonstrator in Margam, First Minister Mark Drakeford said:
"We need to make more progress in the next ten years than we have in the last 30 years, this will be difficult but we will do it by working together.
"In this plan, we also call on the UK Government to take the action which is needed to unlock a green future in Wales.
"While the UK cannot reach its targets without Welsh action, we cannot reach our ambition without the UK Government playing its fair part."
Climate Change Minister Julie James added:
"This plan runs to almost 90,000 words showing the extent to which tackling the climate and nature emergencies have permeated our thinking but it is merely a snapshot in time.
"Our policies need to be delivered, our proposals need to grow and need to be shaped in conversation with the people of Wales.
"Net Zero Wales sets out both the action we will take and the things we are already doing."