Contact/Cyswllt:  Sian Cliff
02920 898342 / sian.cliff@wales.gov.uk

Mick Bates AM, Welsh Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for the Environment, embraces the publication of the EU Climate and Energy Package which sets a refreshed agenda for tackling climate change. However he warns that more action is needed by the Labour-Plaid Assembly Government if Wales is to ditch its tarnished environmental reputation, being the highest emitter of CO2 in the UK.

“The EU climate package proposes a target of 20% renewable energy consumption with a UK target of 15%. While this is commendable it must be backed up by real action. The Liberal Democrats have strong policies for a low carbon future and we call for 30% of the UK’s electricity to come from renewable sources by 2030 and 100% by 2050. The UK Government must be more ambitious if we are to move towards a greener future” commented Mick.

“The rarity of renewable energy initiatives by the Labour-Plaid Assembly Government is shameful, given that in Wales we are still over 70% behind our past aim pf producing 10% renewable energy by 2010. There is huge capacity for renewable energy in Wales, yet projects to promote renewable energy are few and far between.

“I look forward to the publication of the Energy Route Map in Wales next month. I hope that it lives up to expectations and reflects the urgency of dealing with climate change.

“There must also be greater communication and co-ordination between Westminster and the Assembly Government to develop policies capable of delivering on our targets. The 60% target proposed in the Climate Change Bill is not enough to avoid the devastating impacts of climate change. We must exceed expectation and I hope that the Labour-Plaid Government will support a more ambitious target of 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050.

“Labour-Plaid policies are failing to move Wales towards a low carbon future. There must be more focus on energy efficiency which has massive potential to reduce carbon emissions. Talk of targets which are never reached does nothing more than pollute the air further. The people of Wales must band together and accomplish sustainability, not merely dream of it.”


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