NDM7036 Plaid Cymru debate - Climate Change

NDM7036 Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Notes the stark warning from the world’s scientific community that there are just 12 years left to prevent 1.5 degrees warming.

2.Further notes that warming beyond 1.5 degrees represents a threat to the future of humanity, and that even warming limited to that level will wreak havoc upon the livelihoods of countless people across the world.

3. Acknowledges that that an urgent and rapid global response is now necessary.

4. Welcomes the fact that solutions to the climate crisis are widely available including renewable technology, sustainable transport options and zero-carbon buildings.

5. Supports the decisions of community, town and county councils across Wales to pass motions declaring a climate emergency and setting net zero carbon emissions targets for their local areas.

6. Calls on the Welsh Government to declare a climate emergency.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1 - Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Delete points 5 and 6 and replace with:

Welcomes the leading role the UK has played working towards a global deal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the Paris Agreement and notes that since 1990, the UK has cut emissions by more than 40 per cent while growing the economy by more than two thirds, the best performance on a per person basis than any other G7 nation.

Regrets that emissions in Wales only fell by 19 per cent during the period between 1990 to 2015 and calls on the Welsh Government to work with local authorities and the UK Government to ensure that new legally-binding carbon emissions targets are met moving forward in Wales.

Paris Agreement

Amendment 2 - Rebecca Evans (Gower)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Commends the Welsh Government for:

a) bringing forward the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act and the Environment (Wales) Act to drive urgent action on climate change;

b) committing the public sector in Wales to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 and for all public sector buildings to be supplied with 100 per cent renewable energy by 2020 or as soon as contractually able; and

c) exploring all options for decarbonising the Welsh economy by working with all sectors and communities, drawing on the best available scientific evidence.

Wellbeing of Future Generations Act

Environment (Wales) Act