Emissions fall but Wales lags behind on renewable energy

29 June 2012

 Responding to the report on Wales’ progress on tackling climate change by the UK Committee on Climate Change (CCC), Alun James, WWF Cymru policy officer said:

“The report suggests there has been a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions in the past year in Wales and the rest of the UK, but this seems more to do with the recession, a drop in industrial output, and the milder winter rather than government policies.

“The Welsh Government’s efforts to tackle climate change are good in parts but need to improve. The amount of insulation work in Welsh homes has risen faster than in other countries of the UK and there has been a better increase in waste recycling in Wales than elsewhere. However, the increase in capacity for generating electricity from renewable sources is slower than in other parts of the UK

“We want the Welsh Government to continue to increase work to improve the energy efficiency of homes and, in addition, to set out clear targets and actions to increase renewable energy production.”

It is not possible to say from the figures produced whether Wales is on really on target to meet the Welsh Government's commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2020 compared with 1990. A more detailed analysis by the Committee is expected in the autumn.

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• WWF Cymru response to report by UK Committee On Climate Change