Ellie Brundrett, net zero project manager at Regen, responds to the publication of Net Zero Wales, the Welsh Government’s plan for meeting their second carbon budget.
It’s great to see the First Minister calling for a ‘decade of action’ today while launching the action plan for Wales’ second carbon budget.
The plan, which covers the period from 2022 to 2025, contains over 120 policies and initiatives covering emissions from across the Welsh economy, including power generation, buildings, transport, industry, waste, and agriculture. In particular, it is very exciting to see a commitment to plan for a national energy grid that is fit for a renewable future.
Regen has been looking at the challenges for the grid, both onshore and offshore, in achieving decarbonisation, and we welcome this commitment, which builds on ambitious aims for Wales to be the first country to have a joint approach to developing its gas and electricity networks.
The Welsh government’s focus on infrastructure reinforces the need for similarly systems-wide thinking from the UK government, highlighted by Mark Drakeford in his speech; “we cannot reach our ambition without the UK Government playing its fair part”.