Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Climate Change: Wales

14 July 2021 · 11 other contributors · 13,938 words

Opened by Tonia Antoniazzi Lab Gower

Responding minister: David Davies

ClimateWales

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Tonia Antoniazzi raised concerns about climate change: wales in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Tonia Antoniazzi raised concerns about the existential threat of climate change and its impacts on Wales, including population displacement and food production challenges.
  • She called for urgent action on climate solutions, such as retrofitting housing for energy efficiency and protecting salt marshes as carbon stores.
  • The UK Government reported significant progress in reducing carbon emissions, with a 40% decrease since the 1990s and aims for a 78% reduction by 2037.

Key requests to Government

Antoniazzi calls for investment and planning in climate solutions, including retrofitting housing stock for energy efficiency, planting trees to mitigate floods and air quality issues, using timber in construction to capture CO2, protecting salt marshes as carbon stores, encouraging farmers towards net zero measures, and pushing forward with the Swansea bay tidal lagoon project.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Tonia Antoniazzi Lab Gower

Tonia Antoniazzi is concerned about the existential threat posed by climate change and the need for urgent action in Wales. She mentions that changing climate will cause massive population displacement, food production challenges, rising water levels, loss of biodiversity, and extreme weather events. Antoniazzi highlights the Welsh Government's ambitious target to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, but also notes the importance of retrofitting housing stock for energy efficiency, restoring nature, planting trees, using timber in construction, protecting salt marshes as carbon stores, and encouraging farmers to take positive steps towards net zero measures. She expresses frustration with the lack of collaboration between Wales and the UK Government on projects such as the Swansea bay tidal lagoon.

Other contributors (11)
  • Alex Davies-Jones Lab Pontypridd

    Described the devastating impact of catastrophic flooding in Pontypridd, with over 300 homes affected and businesses and infrastructure damaged. Emphasised the long-term mental health impacts on residents and highlighted the lack of support from the UK Government compared to Welsh Labour's efforts. Discussed flood prevention works taken forward by Welsh Government and local authorities.

  • Beth Winter Lab Cynon Valley

    Ms Winter discussed the severe impacts of climate change in Cynon Valley, noting that Storm Dennis and a heatwave last year had devastating effects. She highlighted the Committee on Climate Change's report which found that 26 out of 61 climate risks have increased in severity over five years, urging urgent action from the Welsh Government. She praised local initiatives like climate assemblies to promote green jobs, transport, and energy changes. Talked about challenges faced due to flooding caused by Storm Dennis, stressed the need for a bottom-up approach in tackling climate change.

  • Craig Williams Con Montgomeryshire

    Acknowledges the efforts of both Welsh and UK Governments in tackling climate change, highlights best practices such as the plastic bag tax initiated by Wales. Discusses the Newtown bypass project which has improved air quality. Emphasises the need for a shift from traditional road building to accommodate future cleaner vehicles and calls for sharing of best practices across borders. Discussed pollutants and best practices in dealing with them. Commended Welsh Government on plastic bag tax and highlighted challenges around road building for cleaner vehicles of the future.

  • Alan Hirsch Con Bridgend

    Discussed decarbonisation, electric vehicles, new technologies in his constituency, and opportunities for collaboration across areas.

  • Gerald Jones Lab Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare

    Welcomed the consensus on climate change challenges, highlighted actions of Welsh Labour Government including planting 86 million trees over next few years. Criticized UK Government's lack of action regarding electrification of railway line to Swansea and tidal lagoon project in Swansea Bay. Emphasized the importance of taking immediate action.

  • Jamie Wallis Con Bridgend

    Jamie Wallis highlighted concerns about air pollution in Bridgend, particularly around schools due to idling vehicles. He criticised the Welsh Government for halting plans for the M4 relief road and emphasised the importance of decarbonising the transport sector. He mentioned several funding initiatives such as the £289 million industrial energy transformation fund and the £250 million clean steel fund aimed at aiding a greener economy.

  • Jessica Morden Lab Newport East

    Jessica Morden thanked her colleague for securing the debate and highlighted the dedication of young people to climate justice. She mentioned two youth climate ambassadors in Newport East and praised local organisations for their work on habitat restoration and biodiversity, which aligns with efforts against climate change. Morden cited a Senedd report indicating that Wales will experience wetter winters and drier summers by 2050 along with sea level rises of up to 2½ feet. Talked about work done by the voluntary sector in Newport, including wetlands trust, Gwent Wildlife Trust, and Newport Wastesavers.

  • Peter Dowd Lab Bootle

    Reminded hon. Members of the changes to normal practice for hybrid arrangements, including timings and camera requirements for virtual attendees.

  • Ruth Jones Lab Newport West and Islwyn

    Welcomed the debate on climate change, highlighting the importance of tackling the issue. Emphasized Wales' proactive measures such as renewable energy development, tree planting, water refill stations installation, and recycling initiatives. Noted concerns about Tory inaction affecting Wales and urged for ambitious action to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. Urged immediate action on climate change and praised the Welsh Government's pragmatic policies such as banning single-use plastic and establishing a national forest. Noted that Wales has the third best recycling level in the world.

  • Simon Baynes Con Clwyd South

    Mr Baynes discussed the importance of renewable energy in Wales, citing personal experience from growing up near Lake Vyrnwy and highlighting local projects such as hydroelectric schemes in Llangollen and Corwen. He praised community initiatives like the Rhug estate's sustainability efforts and commended government support through policies like the 10-point plan for a green industrial revolution, which includes £582 million investment in plug-in vehicle grants. Talked about hydro projects, measures across his constituency, and the need to follow best practices.

  • Virginia Crosbie Con Ynys Môn

    Ms Crosbie highlighted the opportunities for her constituency in contributing to climate change efforts through tidal energy, wave production, and nuclear projects like Wylfa Newydd. She emphasized that Anglesey could play a crucial role by becoming an energy island with freeport status, which would aid in achieving net zero targets and provide economic benefits. Discussed opportunities in her constituency with a thermal hydraulic facility project. Emphasized the importance of BEIS and Welsh Government collaboration on this project.

Government Response

David Davies

The UK Government has made significant progress on carbon emissions reduction with a 40% decrease since the 1990s. It is committed to a sixth carbon budget aiming for a 78% emissions reduction by 2037, consistent with the Paris agreement goals. The Minister highlighted initiatives like the south Wales industrial cluster funding of £21.5 million and transport decarbonisation measures such as ending petrol and diesel car sales by 2030 and promoting hydrogen vehicles and electric heavy vehicle trucks in Cwmbran. Additionally, he mentioned support for tidal energy projects in Ynys Môn and Swansea Bay city region growth deal projects.

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