Environment Minister, Jane Davidson is in Luxembourg this week to champion the role that regional governments have to play in tackling Climate Change.
The Minister is attending the EU Environment Council in Luxembourg which will focus on protecting biodiversity and consider the best way of ensuring that the EU goes beyond a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The Council will also agree the EU position ahead of the December climate change summit in Cancun.
Speaking about the Council, the Minister said.
“I am delighted to be a part of this Council which is considering issues that are crucial to the survival of our planet, and want to particularly highlight the role that regional governments can play within the environmental agenda.
“Although Wales is a small country we have lots to shout about and I am keen to share some of the exciting work that we are progressing in Wales, both in terms of protecting our biodiversity and tackling climate change.”
Only last month the Assembly Government launched ‘ A Living Wales’, its consultation on a new approach for managing the Welsh environment, countryside and seas which puts the long term value of eco-systems and their services right at the heart of its decision making processes.
And last week the Environment Minister launched the Welsh Assembly Government’s Climate Change Strategy which details exactly how Wales will manage its fight against climate change and achieve a 3% year on year reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
The strategy includes detailed delivery plans that show how Wales will take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in specific sectors, such as transport, agriculture and waste, and also sets out how it will adapt to a changing climate.
Wales is one of only one of only three countries in the world with a legal duty to promote sustainable development.
The Welsh Assembly Government’ sustainable development scheme One Wales: One Planet sets out its ambition to become a country that uses only its fair share of the earth’s resources within the lifetime of a generation. At the moment it uses twice that.
The Minister added
“I think Wales is an excellent example of the contribution that a small, smart government can make to the environmental agenda.
“Of course we are not alone in our efforts to be ambitious and pioneering. I look forward to hearing about the progress and achievements of other states and regions, and to considering how we can learn from their experiences. “