Harness the potential of the Welsh countryside to create a powerhouse for tackling climate change and sustainable growth
As Wales Climate Week begins, I’m calling on the Welsh Government to commit to a three-point strategy to meet its net-zero targets,” says CLA Cymru’s Nigel Hollett.
Wales Climate Week, 21-25 November. The Welsh Government resource is here.
“As Wales Climate Week begins, I’m calling on the Welsh Government to commit to a three-point strategy to meet its net-zero targets,” says CLA Cymru’s Nigel Hollett. “We need a structure to measure and reward greenhouse gas reduction by our agricultural land and green-space, we need to put our foot on the accelerator-pedal to increase rural renewable energy projects, and dramatically reduce food-miles in our supply chains. The Welsh Government should avoid silo-thinking in critical policy areas and focus on regenerative, sustainable growth which fulfils a wide range of government targets.”
“The UK economy is sliding into recession. We must not make the mistake of celebrating progress towards net-zero where this is actually put-down to reduction in economic activity. The Welsh Government must do more to harness the potential of our natural resources in a holistic strategy to maximise reduction of greenhouse gases and exploit a wealth of opportunity for local renewable energy while we sustain vital food production and meet our other Future Generations’ goals.”
“We have long called for a strategy focused on tree health to protect and prolong the life of existing trees. We must put a stop to the leaky-bucket effect of investing in thousands more trees when many are succumbing to disease and damage – and might even introduce biosecurity issues.”
“Secondly, the Welsh Government needs to remove the obstacles and reward those who look to develop local - often community focused – renewable energy projects.” Nigel Hollett says, “High costs, complex and time-consuming bureaucracy have hindered the progress of many small-scale rural projects which can make significant in-roads towards meeting our net zero targets. The Welsh Government, Westminster Government and the energy providers need to tackle the crisis in grid-capacity.”
“The Agriculture (Wales) Bill appropriately refers to our food supply chains. The Welsh Government must be active in developing the potential for economic growth and worked with its’ counterparts in Climate Change and Rural Affairs dramatically to increase domestic consumption of locally-grown food.”
Nigel Hollett concludes, “Sustainably managed land in Wales should become our rural powerhouse. Here lies our greatest assets and allies to win the war against climate change.”