Meetings

NDM7803 Plaid Cymru debate - The energy sector and the climate and nature emergencies

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Meeting: 13/10/2021 - Plenary (Item 6)

Plaid Cymru debate - The energy sector and the climate and nature emergencies

NDM7803 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes:

a) the Senedd’s declaration of both a climate emergency in 2019, and a nature emergency in 2021;

b) that the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) will meet this Autumn to agree coordinated action to tackle climate change;

c) that the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will meet next spring to agree to a global biodiversity framework;

d) the Welsh Government’s target to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050;

e) the Senedd’s belief that there should be parity of action to tackle both the climate and nature crisis (NDM7725);

f) the Senedd passed NDM7725 calling on the Welsh Government to introduce legally binding requirement to reverse biodiversity loss through statutory targets.

2. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) seek the full devolution of the management of the Crown Estate and its assets in Wales to the Welsh Government;

b) seek the full devolution of energy powers;

c) maximise Wales’s potential for renewable energy development by establishing a state-backed energy development company;

d) develop a net-zero workforce in Wales by facilitating cross-sector efforts to upskill workers in the energy sector;

e) facilitate the expansion of renewable power necessary to meet net-zero by investing heavily in upgrades to the Welsh electricity grid;

f) develop and implement a strategy for Welsh ports, and seek further UK Government funding of ports infrastructure in Wales to support the emerging offshore wind sector;

g) develop and implement a marine development plan to provide certainty to energy developers by guiding the citing of renewable developments away from the most ecologically sensitive areas.

NDM7725 - Opposition debate from 30 June 2021

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Delete point 2 and replace with:

Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) work with the UK Government to deliver major energy projects for Wales;

b) welcome the fact that the UK Government has committed £90 million to innovative Welsh net-zero projects;

c) build on the fact that the UK Government and industry have committed to invest over £40 million to support the cluster of industries in south Wales to transition to net zero;

d) acknowledge that the UK Government has made available £4.8 million, subject to business case and other approvals, to support the development of the Holyhead hydrogen hub;

e) welcome the £100 million UK seafood fund designed to level up coastal communities across the UK, and work to implement rather than delay the creation of a freeport in Wales;

f) maximise the potential for renewable energy development by establishing a package of support for private investment in renewable energy schemes;

g) facilitate the growing dominance of renewable energy by placing greater urgency on ensuring that infrastructure can accommodate demand;

h) develop and implement a marine development plan;

i) create 15,000 new blue/green jobs.

[If amendment 1 is agreed, amendment 2 will be de-selected]

Amendment 2 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

Delete point 2 and replace with:

Confirms its commitment to the principles enshrined in the Silesia Declaration to support workers through a just transition to net zero.

Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a)  play its part in enabling the transformation of our energy system to retain economic and social benefits from renewable energy generation in Welsh communities.

b)  increase energy generation capacity owned by public bodies and community groups.

c)  support Welsh ports to ensure they are able to invest to maximise local benefits from the development of marine energy generation.

d)  protect marine biodiversity whilst facilitating the deployment of marine energy technology, including through providing guidance for understanding the most suitable locations.

Calls on global leaders to use the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties to commit to ending the use of coal in energy generation.

Silesia Declaration

 

 

Minutes:

The item started at 16.08

Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

NDM7803 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes:

a) the Senedd’s declaration of both a climate emergency in 2019, and a nature emergency in 2021;

b) that the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) will meet this Autumn to agree coordinated action to tackle climate change;

c) that the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will meet next spring to agree to a global biodiversity framework;

d) the Welsh Government’s target to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050;

e) the Senedd’s belief that there should be parity of action to tackle both the climate and nature crisis (NDM7725);

f) the Senedd passed NDM7725 calling on the Welsh Government to introduce legally binding requirement to reverse biodiversity loss through statutory targets.

2. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) seek the full devolution of the management of the Crown Estate and its assets in Wales to the Welsh Government;

b) seek the full devolution of energy powers;

c) maximise Wales’s potential for renewable energy development by establishing a state-backed energy development company;

d) develop a net-zero workforce in Wales by facilitating cross-sector efforts to upskill workers in the energy sector;

e) facilitate the expansion of renewable power necessary to meet net-zero by investing heavily in upgrades to the Welsh electricity grid;

f) develop and implement a strategy for Welsh ports, and seek further UK Government funding of ports infrastructure in Wales to support the emerging offshore wind sector;

g) develop and implement a marine development plan to provide certainty to energy developers by guiding the citing of renewable developments away from the most ecologically sensitive areas.

NDM7725 - Opposition debate from 30 June 2021

For

Abstain

Against

Total

14

0

42

56

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Delete point 2 and replace with:

Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) work with the UK Government to deliver major energy projects for Wales;

b) welcome the fact that the UK Government has committed £90 million to innovative Welsh net-zero projects;

c) build on the fact that the UK Government and industry have committed to invest over £40 million to support the cluster of industries in south Wales to transition to net zero;

d) acknowledge that the UK Government has made available £4.8 million, subject to business case and other approvals, to support the development of the Holyhead hydrogen hub;

e) welcome the £100 million UK seafood fund designed to level up coastal communities across the UK, and work to implement rather than delay the creation of a freeport in Wales;

f) maximise the potential for renewable energy development by establishing a package of support for private investment in renewable energy schemes;

g) facilitate the growing dominance of renewable energy by placing greater urgency on ensuring that infrastructure can accommodate demand;

h) develop and implement a marine development plan;

i) create 15,000 new blue/green jobs.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

15

0

41

56

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

Amendment 2 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

Delete point 2 and replace with:

Confirms its commitment to the principles enshrined in the Silesia Declaration to support workers through a just transition to net zero.

Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a)  play its part in enabling the transformation of our energy system to retain economic and social benefits from renewable energy generation in Welsh communities.

b)  increase energy generation capacity owned by public bodies and community groups.

c)  support Welsh ports to ensure they are able to invest to maximise local benefits from the development of marine energy generation.

d)  protect marine biodiversity whilst facilitating the deployment of marine energy technology, including through providing guidance for understanding the most suitable locations.

Calls on global leaders to use the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties to commit to ending the use of coal in energy generation.

Silesia Declaration

A vote was taken on amendment 2:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

43

0

13

56

Amendment 2 was agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes:

a) the Senedd’s declaration of both a climate emergency in 2019, and a nature emergency in 2021;

b) that the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) will meet this Autumn to agree coordinated action to tackle climate change;

c) that the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will meet next spring to agree to a global biodiversity framework;

d) the Welsh Government’s target to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050;

e) the Senedd’s belief that there should be parity of action to tackle both the climate and nature crisis (NDM7725);

f) the Senedd passed NDM7725 calling on the Welsh Government to introduce legally binding requirement to reverse biodiversity loss through statutory targets.

2. Confirms its commitment to the principles enshrined in the Silesia Declaration to support workers through a just transition to net zero.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a)  play its part in enabling the transformation of our energy system to retain economic and social benefits from renewable energy generation in Welsh communities.

b)  increase energy generation capacity owned by public bodies and community groups.

c)  support Welsh ports to ensure they are able to invest to maximise local benefits from the development of marine energy generation.

d)  protect marine biodiversity whilst facilitating the deployment of marine energy technology, including through providing guidance for understanding the most suitable locations.

4. Calls on global leaders to use the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties to commit to ending the use of coal in energy generation.

NDM7725 - Opposition debate from 30 June 2021

Silesia Declaration

For

Abstain

Against

Total

56

0

0

56

The motion as amended was agreed.