The Welsh Government has confirmed that it will enact a 2050 greenhouse gas emission target that will see the country reduce its emissions by 80% under its Environment Bill.
The Environment Bill will include statutory interim targets between 2016 and 2050 to ensure that the country is on track to meet its ultimate target. In order to support the emission reduction effort, Wales will also set carbon budgets in the medium term to help drive appetite for emission reduction.
The wide-ranging bill is intended to position Wales “as a low carbon, green economy”. The government adds that “the overarching aims of the Bill are to put in place legislation that will enable Wales’ resources to be managed in a more proactive, sustainable and joined-up way, and to establish the legislative framework necessary to tackle climate change.”
Commenting on the bill, Carl Sargeant, minister for housing and regeneration in the Welsh Assembly Government, said: “This Bill will ensure the decisions we take in relation to our natural resources support our economy, our communities and our environment. It will help us manage our natural resources in a way that will deliver lasting benefits for current and future generations.
“Including statutory climate change targets, underpinned by Carbon Budgeting in the Bill will allow us to better drive progress, provide certainty for investment and drive forward the low-carbon economy in Wales. This step, together with the requirements for sustainable management of our resources will help to ensure Wales has a prosperous economy alongside a healthy and resilient environment.”
In addition to its climate change commitments, the new Environment Bill will see charges for carrier bags introduced in the Country – revenue raised from which will be used to support charitable endeavours.
The Welsh Government is also aiming to improve its collection and disposal of waste by ensuring that business achieves higher levels of waste recycling, better food waste treatment; and increased energy recovery from waste.
However, Dan Cooke, director of external affairs at Welsh recycling company Viridor, warned that the environment bill sends “mixed messages to resource, recycling and renewable energy businesses investing in Wales”. He explained: “There is an urgent need for government to rule out a mandatory ‘one size fits all’ approach to collections which will do little other than add cost and bureaucracy to Welsh businesses, councils and corporates.
“What’s more, in recognising the renewable energy opportunity in waste left over after recycling, it’s vital that the bill does not constrain further investment in the Welsh economy. Facilities such as Viridor’s Cardiff energy recovery facility provide secure baseload energy for 50,000 homes, have employed over 600 staff in construction and have provided over £25 million worth of contracts for 150 local businesses. The impractical addition of further regulation will do little to encourage further investment at a time when Wales is paying to export circa 5,500 tonnes of refuse derived fuel capable of powering Welsh homes and businesses overseas each and every month. We look forward to urgent clarification from Welsh Government on these points.”
The Bill is currently being considered by the National Assembly for Wales and is expected to become law by Spring 2016.
