Can Wales lead climate change battle?

The findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have definitely focussed policymakers’ minds on the problem at hand, showing that climate change is happening, is measurable and is a result of human activity. It is in the hands of the public to make a change.

In responding to these findings, the new plans set out by the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) are certainly a step in the right direction and it is great that a multifaceted approach has been taken. However, the targets that are being set – a 26-32% reduction in CO2 emissions across UK by 2020 and a 60% reduction by 2050 – are tough targets to reach in quite short timescales. Particularly when you bear in mind that at the moment it takes three years to get planning consent for a wind turbine!
There are certainly elements of the new proposals that are achievable and we should also have a good try at those that aren’t easily achievable. Particularly, tidal energy, which obviously has the upside of it never being switched off, but it needs a lot of research and development if we’re going to maximise its potential.

The document suggests Wales could create far more electricity than it consumes but that is only going to be the case if we really maximise the big resources like wind, wave and tidal. However, to really maximise these opportunities, a huge financial commitment is needed from the Government.

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