More climate change progress from the Welsh Govt

[lewislewis]

Ambitious yet legally binding plans will see Wales become one of the most energy-efficient countries in the world within a generation, according to the Guardian.

Surprised I missed this article, but it is also backed up by the Welsh Govt's existing commitment to complete renewable energy which is theoretically well under way to being achieved, and the recent announcement that £300m (no small sum for the Assembly Govt) is to be spent achieving the One Wales commitment for 3% annual emissions reductions in devolved areas of control. This commitment originated from Plaid, I am proud to say. But without being political, this is something all people in Wales will unite behind over the next few decades.

The main areas of the economy and energy remain outside the Assembly's remit or control, but hopefully these policies will make Wales a better place to live and will do our part in fighting climate change.

Especially interested in 40,000 social houses being fitted with micro-generation.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/may/22/wales-energy-efficient-plans

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8117368.stm

 

[spacemonkey]

Is there any official document outlining the plans? (I'm in work and can't do a search). It sounds like a load of political bullshit.

Installing micro-generation in 40,000 homes is great. But what about the existing housing stock, what about non-domestic buildings?

The headline says we will become self-sufficient in energy. Then the article says electricity. There's a huge difference!

Building a few turbines and installing solar thermal on council houses isn't exactly 'one planet living'.

I assume we won't be electrifiying our transport system, installing ground source heat pumps in building, covering 20% of the country in wind turbines, building 200m2 of solar PV for every member of the public, and building a barrage across the estuary. Which would all be a good start.

What about food, where will it come from? I'm assuming we won't be forced to vegetarianism or returning to 100% organic farming.

Don't get me wrong, it's great to hear they're doing something. But it sounds miles away from what needs to be done.

£300 million sounds like a pathetic amount, about £100 per person. If we could turn the country sustainable (and fix climate change) for that amount, wouldn't we have done it already? I think we spend about £250 million on cosmetics in Wales every year FFS.

 

[lewislewis]

The Assembly only has a budget of £13bn and can't touch electrifying the rail lines (although they can pressurise Westminster to do it). It is bound to be miles away what needs to be done because of those reasons.

The £300m is apart from the £600m being spent on energy efficiency, and apart from all the other spending on sustainability.

Nice to see it dismissed as 'political bullshit' though.

 

[spacemonkey]

The Assembly only has a budget of £13bn and can't touch electrifying the rail lines (although they can pressurise Westminster to do it). It is bound to be miles away what needs to be done because of those reasons.

The £300m is apart from the £600m being spent on energy efficiency, and apart from all the other spending on sustainability.

Nice to see it dismissed as 'political bullshit' though.

I'm not dismissing it completely. I'm desperate for the country to invest heavily in renewable energy (I might get a job then). The bullshit is the 'sustainability' phrasing and hyperbole about 'one planet living'. Nothing about our lives is sustainable and these measures won't bring us anywhere near.

I'm not really having a pop at WAG, but the British government in general. Anyway, politics is not my strong point.

 

[PAD1OH]

in political terms it's a good thing.

in practical terms I agree with spacemonkey. cut the crap and get to the point.

I'm happy to discuss "one planet living" because I know its failings as a concept but trying to sell that to people is likely to get up their backs.