Global climate change commitments now agreed and signed up to – but how will Wales play a part?
On 9th December, more than 100 professionals from the public, private and third sectors of Wales met at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. The seminar opened with representatives from the main political parties in Wales highlighting their commitment to tackling climate change ahead of the Welsh Assembly elections in May 2016. But how do we convert their aspiration and pledges for change into action and demonstrate a more sustainable, climate ready and resilient Wales?
As world leaders were meeting in Paris (at COP21) to discuss new plans for a global deal on how best to tackle climate change the event also heard from pupils of Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni, one of ten secondary schools from across Wales who had taken part in the Size of Wales Mock COP. Held in Ty Hywel in the Senedd, with Chair of the Climate Change Commission for Wales, Peter Davies playing the role of the UN Secretary General, co-ordinating the Mock COP discussions, it was encouraging to hear from the pupils that their experiences whilst they proved as complex as the Paris negotiations, but had also managed to reach a consensus agreement.
We heard from the Minister for Natural Resources, Carl Sargeant AM having returned from representing Wales at COP21 as part of the UK delegation. It was clear that showcasing Wales’ achievements in a number of areas including waste and energy efficiency, the Environment Bill and the internationally pioneering legislation of the Well-being of Future Generations Act was of interest to others in Paris.
With the Paris agreement now signed we can look more closely at how Wales can reduce its carbon emissions and continue to demonstrate Green Growth. How will the construction sector play its part in bringing innovation through to mainstream delivery? How will we deal with the challenge of refurbishing our built environment and ensuring any new development contributes sustainably to our future?
As evidenced at last week’s seminar by numerous speakers, each outlining what activity they had already undertaken to deliver a more sustainable community or business, it was clear to see that change is within reach. Academia, communities and business in Wales are all making strides in reducing their own carbon footprint, and developing innovative new products and processes to help Wales, the UK and beyond to do the same.
With consultation on the Well-Being of Future Generations Act closing in the new year is your organisation ready to take up the challenge this new innovative and globally leading legislative change will have on your decision making processes? Find out more in the essentials guide to the WFG Act here.
Consultation documents close 7th January.
