Tackling climate change Assembly Government s strategic approach Andy

Tackling climate change: Assembly Government’s strategic approach Andy Fraser Head of Climate Change Policy Welsh Assembly Government

How will climate change affect Wales? • 2009 UK Climate Projections (produced by UK Climate Impacts Programme) help us understand the changes we might expect: • Rising temperatures across Wales over the coming decades (over 2°C by 2040 s) • Increasing winter rainfall (+11% by 2040 s)) – Milder but wetter winters • Reduced summer rainfall (-12% by 2040 s) – Warmer and drier summers • Increasing frequency of extreme weather • Sea-level rise (up to 80 cm by 2080) Hadley Centre

Impacts of climate change in Wales • Increased flood risk to homes and businesses • Agriculture and food production • Potential risks for damage and disruption to national infrastructure – – Energy supply Water supply Telecoms Transport networks

Impacts of climate change for Wales • Impact on wildlife and environment, particularly sensitive habitats – – – Loss of native species Coastal and lowland areas Freshwater ecosystems • Changing demands and social pressures: – Healthcare – Social care – Emergency services • Economic challenges and opportunities

Supporting international action • Assembly Government fully engaged in supporting UK Government in taking strong domestic action – Contribution to UN (most recently at Copenhagen) and European Environment Council meetings • Wales is Co- Chair for Europe of the Network of Regional Governments for Sustainable Development (nrg 4 SD) • Working closely with other regional government partners, UN and European bodies, and organisations such as The Climate Group to increase international recognition for regional government action: – recognition of the role of sub national regions and regional governments as part of a new international agreement

UK targets • Through Kyoto Protocol, UK committed to cutting GHG emissions by 12. 5% over the period 2008 – 2012 against 1990 baseline • Through the Climate Change Act, it is committed to: – Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050 against a 1990 baseline – Reducing GHG emissions by at least 34% by 2020 against a 1990 baseline – Establish carbon budgets, on aggregate GHG emissions over five year periods

Welsh Assembly Government commitments to tackle climate change • Firm commitment in ‘One Wales’: Aim to achieve carbon reductionequivalent emissions reductions of 3% per year by 2011 in areas of devolved competence • Set specific sectoral targets in relation to residential, public and transport • Established Climate Change Commission for Wales • Clear UK, EU and international targets

Welsh Assembly Government commitments to tackle climate change • Other commitments: – Agreement to make 40% cut in emissions by 2020 against 1990 baseline – Assembly Government was the first regional government to commit to the 10: 10 campaign – Setting targets for carbon neutrality in public builldings – Provide energy efficiency grants, including a nonmeans tested element within the context of a National Energy Efficiency and Saving Plan • Developing scenarios with Climate Change Commission to explore potential to make deeper cuts of 6 and 9% per year

Wales’ 3% emissions reduction target • High Level Policy Statement consultation established our overall approach • In summary: – Includes all greenhouse gases – Covers all ‘direct’ emissions (except heavy industry and power generation) and electricity consumption emissions – Baseline will be an average of emissions in 2006– 2010

Delivering on our commitments: Wales’ Climate Change Strategy – Programme of Action • Programme of Action set out proposals within the context of UK and EU policy • 23 proposals covering emission reduction in the following sectors: – Transport – Business – Residential – Waste – Public – Agriculture and land management • Also Included proposals on: – supporting behaviour change – climate change adaptation

Wales’ Climate Change Strategy • Underpinning principles for our Strategy: – Helping people to make climate-friendly choices – Leading by example and building climate change into Assembly Government decisions – Driving energy efficiency – Identifying where Wales’ natural resources, land management pattern and economy can contribute to delivery – Ensuring that Wales gains maximum benefit from climate change related opportunities – Supporting socially just adaptation measures

Wales’ Climate Change Strategy Specific actions include: • Funding to support community energy generation and microgeneration in homes • New climate change development officers for Welsh communities • New pilot to lower the carbon footprint of cities • Rolling out of Sustainable Travel Towns • Support for green energy production • Advice and support for businesses to go green • Buildings skills and research and development for a low carbon economy • Creation of a climate change charter for organisations • The proposals outlined represent plans to commit £ 300 million by all Ministers and across all departments within the Welsh Assembly Government to contribute to tackling climate change

Emissions reductions: Sector by sector 3% p. a. pathway (Committee on Climate Change advice & Welsh Climate Change Strategy) Absolute % reductions Residential 78% Waste 38% Transport Agriculture 36% 44% Public 80% Business 34%

6% p. a. pathway (CCC advice & Welsh CC Strategy plus greater technology uptake) Absolute % reductions Residential 89% Waste 58% Transport 62% Agriculture 64% Public 100% Business 44%

9% p. a. pathway (CCC & Welsh CC Strategy, much greater technology uptake and some demand reduction ) Absolute % reductions Residential 89% Waste 80% Transport 74% Agriculture 74% Public 100% Business 69%

…in 2010 • Wales final Climate Change Strategy to be published and implemented in March 2010: – Enable implementation of relevant new measures for 2011 – Confirm targets – Confirm package of actions – More information on partners’ contributions and commitments – Information on implementation, including reporting on progress and future review

Further information www. wales. gov. uk/climatechange Andy Fraser Head of Climate Change Policy Andy. Fraser@wales. gsi. gov. uk