While the UK Westminster Parliament has (on little more than a nod and a wink) legislated for the UK to achieve Net Zero by 2050, it is of course the case that the Holyrood Parliament decided that Scotland should go one better, and achieve that feat by 2045: the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019. All too predictably, however, that target is running into difficulties. Just three months ago the BBC reported that “Scotland misses another climate change target”. It’s not easy, this accelerated Net Zero business:
This is likely to be the last time progress will be measured against annual targets with the Scottish government confirming in April that it will scrap all but the 2045 net zero goal.
The annual targets will be replaced with carbon budgets covering each five-year Parliamentary term, in line with the rest of the UK.
The interim target of reducing emissions by 75% by 2030 was ditched with ministers admitting it was “out of reach”.
Undaunted it seems, there are some in Wales who want to achieve Net Zero ten years faster than the deluded Scottish target. A couple of days ago the Pembrokeshire Herald reported that “Wales could achieve Net Zero by 2035 under bold new proposals”. It turns out there is such a thing as a Wales Net Zero 2035 Challenge Group, and it has released some new proposals, which have made the news (in Wales, if not in the rest of the UK, so far as I can see). Intrigued and staggered in equal measure by the claim that “[t]he new proposals reveal that huge benefits to the Welsh public are possible through a faster net zero transition, including improved public health, reduced pressure on the NHS, greater energy security, a more resilient food supply, and low-carbon job generation” I thought I should take a look at the report.
First, though, I thought I should check out the group behind the report. The “about” section of its website makes interesting reading:
The Wales Net Zero 2035 Challenge Group was established in January 2023 to deliver on a specific commitment in the formal Co-operation Agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru. The Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru Cooperation Agreement (2021) committed to “commission independent advice to examine potential pathways to net zero by 2035 – the current target date is 2050. This will look at the impact on society and sectors of our economy and how any adverse effects may be mitigated, including how the costs and benefits are shared fairly”.
There are 25 Group members, and it is supported by a secretariat. In addition, “The Wales Centre for Public Policy has also been asked by the Welsh Government to support the work of the Group as an independent institution.” I cannot find any reference on the website to sources of funding, but presumably it is being funded by the Welsh taxpayer as part of a cosy deal between Plaid Cymru and Welsh Labour.
Enough of that, and back to the Report. I’m afraid it’s the usual optimistic mish-mash of woolly thinking, but some aspects do bother me enough to call them out here. It’s the utter failure of logic which I think grates most. For instance, on page 10 we are treated to a short section headed “Our risk of inaction”. The clear implication is that by acting in this precipitate way (Net Zero in just eleven years) Wales can somehow obviate the alleged risks of climate change. Wales, which probably contributes little more than 0.05% of global greenhouse gases, apparently thinks it can avoid risks stemming from greenhouse gas emissions by accelerating its Net Zero plans. Given the number of serious people who must have been involved in writing this report, the delusional and childish level of the thinking it displays leads me to despair:
The risks of not acting are stark. Firstly, we have increasing climate risks, risks which have historically been underestimated. Secondly, delaying action on climate change will result in far greater costs. Finally, Wales risks reducing its ability to deliver a just transition and outcomes aligned with the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act. The Welsh Government needs to be an active leader in the transition, working with communities, business and finance to deliver a just transition rooted in the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act. The risk of inaction is an unfair or corporate centric net zero –already evident in the rise of carbon offsetting companies pricing Welsh farmers out of the market for land.
Heavily footnoted (by way of purported justification) that section links to reports by the likes of Climate Policy Initiative, which is hardly a disinterested source of information (“…an analysis and advisory organization with deep expertise in finance and policy. Our mission is to help governments, businesses, and financial institutions drive economic growth while addressing climate change….”). (It looks as though they make money from this too). There’s Climate Outreach too (“We are the first British charity to focus exclusively on public engagement with climate change.”). Isn’t it great when organisations pressing for accelerated net zero, some seeking to make money out of it, can write reports which are then eagerly cited in reports by official bodies seeking to justify an acceleration of Net Zero plans. It’s all very circular and also mightily convenient.
The hubris on display is also quite staggering. Where Wales leads, apparently the rest of the world will follow:
Wales’ approach to climate change is world leading in many ways. We were the first country to declare a Climate Emergency in 2019. In 2021, the Welsh Government committed to achieving net zero by 2050. The significant inclusion in the Cooperation Agreement between Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru of the need to accelerate ambition to address climate change and the nature crisis by 2035 was groundbreaking in recognising the importance of addressing these issues in a non-partisan way. This represented a significant advance in climate leadership, and Wales can lead by example in the crucial task of developing a similarly united approach to climate action.
And again, this:
Wales already has soft power in international climate governance having been the first country in the world to declare a climate emergency in 2019.
I’m sorry, but I struggle to take this seriously.
There’s some stuff in there about restoring nature, which is hard to argue with, though it’s remarkably light when it comes to the question of energy generation and the damage caused to the environment by such things as wind and solar farms (in fact, a word search of the article located just three minor references to solar energy and none to wind).
Heavy on jargon and rhetoric, light on practical detail, quite frankly I wonder why they bothered with this pie-in-the-sky exercise. I can’t see the Chinese Goliath taking much notice of the Welsh David, whatever the members of this Group seem to think.
Climate Scepticism 
The declarations are not evidence of leadership – they are evidence of gullibility. Plus, as I have banged on about before, the achievement comes on completion of the task, not the announcement of the task.
Regarding restoring nature… another thing I have gone on about in these pages is that nature needs leaving alone… and it will restore itself.
And as you note, it is idiotic to think any advantage can accrue to Wales from such “climate leadership” as they are able to muster. For it is obvious that the costs will be born by the Welsh, and the benefits, if they are even measurable, will be spread across the entire globe. The dilution of the already minuscule effort that a tiny country can apply makes it “obviously” a negligible benefit for them. Unfortunately, we are not dealing with people who can be convinced of such things. They have unicorns to farm.
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I’m sorry, but I just cannot take seriously the announcement of Net Zero Wales 2035. It’s in English for heaven’s sake! Now, if it was Sero Net Cymru 2035, then that would be different. It would be a wholly legitimate target and a far more plausible one.
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The closure of the blast furnaces at Port Talbot will give them a head start.
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The smaller the nation, the greater the desperation to be seen as the world’s leader — or so it seems.
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John, your instincts are confirmed by none other than WEF. By their lights the top zero carbon achievers are:
Bhutan
Comoros
Gabon
Guyana
Madagascar
Niue
Panama
Suriname
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/12/these-countries-achieved-net-zero-emissions/
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Jit (on 18th September at 9.29pm), you’re spot on. The “executive summary” alone tells you that this is about virtue-signalling rather than hard reality:
Responsibility for net zero delivery should remain with the First Minister and be affirmed as an explicit cross-cutting cabinet level responsibility by 2025 to signal buy-in and provide leadership at the highest level.
Optimise the use of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act’s 5 Ways of Working to de-silo and integrate levels of government. This includes creating a Wales Transition Forum, developing a new cross party agreement and appointing net zero brokers to support cross government collaboration.
Support local authorities to enable collaborative action towards net zero across households, communities, local businesses and other organisations.
Lead and implement a blended finance initiative combining public, private and citizen finance. Establish a Wales Wealth Fund to capture returns on public investment.
Review and reform the planning system to facilitate the pursuit of net zero.
Restore nature at pace and scale for carbon sequestration and increased climate resilience, using a marine and land use framework to balance food production, nature restoration and renewable energy deployment.
Wales must play its full role as a net zero champion at UK and international levels.
To be blunt, it reads like the outcome of a junior school project.
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More news from Wales:
“Bringing marine renewable energy to the people: a new approach to public engagement”
https://www.pembrokeshirecoastalforum.org.uk/bringing-marine-renewable-energy-to-the-people-a-new-approach-to-public-engagement/
Note the funders – the UK government and the Welsh government are prominent.
In recent years, Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) has become a hot topic, particularly in regions like Pembrokeshire, where the Celtic Sea presents vast potential for floating offshore wind projects. However, the challenge has always been how to engage the public meaningfully in this conversation. Traditional public consultations, held in formal settings, often fail to attract diverse participation. That’s why Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum (PCF) has decided to try something different: instead of waiting for the people to come to us, we are bringing conversation to them.
On 14th June, PCF hosted an informal drop-in session at “Get the Boys a Lift,” a well-loved coffee shop in Haverfordwest. This event aimed to increase public awareness about floating wind in the Celtic Sea and gather feedback on what locals and visitors alike see as the most important benefits of MRE…..
That’s right – focus on the “benefits”; don’t discuss any problems. That way:
…the event was a huge success in terms of education: 85% of attendees reported learning something new about MRE, and 62% said their perception of MRE had improved—none felt it had worsened….
Inevitable, surely, if you present a one-sided version of the story. Hence:
…The feedback collected reveals a mix of optimism and concern. While many see MRE as a fantastic opportunity for local jobs and investment, others highlighted ongoing issues like housing and environmental impact, reminding us not to let optimism cloud our judgement. However, the fact that no one felt their perception of MRE worsened and that many wanted to take further action is a strong indicator that these events are successful in shifting the narrative….
Shifting the narrative, or controlling it?
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“Is Wales falling behind in clean power race?”
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgn8gj7rv0o
Wales risks falling behind the rest of the UK in the race to meet clean power targets, an industry body has warned.
RenewableUK Cymru, external believes a lack of electricity grid capacity makes it hard for projects to get off the ground, while there are severe delays in the decision-making process.
It wants a “four nations renewables team” to ensure Wales does not miss out on opportunities from the UK government’s GB Energy initiative, external.
The Welsh government said the first minister “has placed green jobs and growth at the very top of the agenda”.
RenewableUK Cymru wants “urgent action” to speed things up, after decisions on three wind farms – capable of powering 170,000 households annually – were delayed….
Special pleading, of course, but hugely ironic (if pleasing) given the beliefs of the Wales Net Zero 2035 Group.
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There’s more from Wales:
“We’re Net Zero Industry Wales
Empowering businesses to build greener futures.”
https://nziw.wales/
We support a growing membership of industry, academia, and public sector organisations — all embarking on their journeys towards net zero.
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“Plans for new ‘clean, green’ energy supply to power Pembrokeshire towns”
https://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/24698887.transition-bro-gwaun-powering-future-event-fishguard/
…The Powering the Future event will also showcase proposals to show how TBG, with help from like-minded organisations, plans to work with the community to generate enough renewable energy to power the twin towns of Fishguard and Goodwick by 2035.
The ideas include a new project that will give local people the chance to have solar panels installed at no cost to themselves.Chris Samra, TBG Trustee said: “Living on the Pembrokeshire coast, we’re blessed with a beautiful natural environment that we all want to protect. One way to do that is to reduce our impact on the climate.
“We all know that Pembrokeshire weather can be unpredictable, but we’re confident that there’s enough sunshine, and certainly enough wind, to provide us all with green electricity”...
Nothing learned from the ongoing dunkelflaute, then?
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It’s not just Wales with a touch of hubris. After all, Wales is Goliath compared to this lot:
“Youth Climate Change Summit held in Jersey”
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c89vqk9jnngo
...Ms Burns said the summit directly fed into the island’s carbon literacy strategy.
She said: “It’s really important to us that islanders understand why it’s so important that we are tackling climate change.
“Jersey is a tiny, tiny community but this is about how we have a global impact.“
Perhaps BBC Verify could conduct a Factcheck on that claim?
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Wales continues to strive to win the World’s Biggest Idiot competition:
“Can north Wales become a green hub of Europe?”
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y7l5xx9k9o
…Some experts agree north Wales has the potential to become a big player in decarbonisation, but who’d have thought?] vast investment and a faster planning process would be needed….
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“The Welsh government said its North Wales Growth Deal and a freeport on Anglesey formed part of a “growth strategy… aiming to attract over £3.4bn in investment”.
It said these initiatives focused on “sectors such as digital connectivity, advanced manufacturing, green energy and infrastructure development” and were aimed at delivering “a vibrant, sustainable and resilient future for north Wales”.
Give it 5yrs at max & some people will make a nice earner. But locals?
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“What Could Education, Jobs and Work Look Like Across Wales by 2035?
Further plans by ‘independent’ organisations to tell the people of Wales what to think.”
https://nicolalund.substack.com/p/what-could-education-jobs-and-work
This is an interesting (and worrying) piece on education issued by the Wales Net Zero 2035 Challenge Group, whose questionable ideas were the subject of my article above. It’s well worth a read, but I think this is the stand-out section of Nicola Lund’s piece:
…Its ‘Executive Summary’ includes recommendations to :-
It goes on to state that, ‘By providing climate and sustainability learning opportunities at all levels from Early Years Foundation Stage we propose a framework for climate literacy and green skills across Wales’ (NB Early Years Foundation Stage begins at the tender age of 3).
More of the ‘pathway’ proposed throughout primary and secondary education would involve:
The further education pathway would include the new CTER (Commission for Tertiary Education and Research) mandating the inclusion of climate literacy for all learners post-16 by 2030. Universities would be encouraged to introduce a module on the aforementioned CCSE for all incoming students by 2027. CCSE would also be integrated into all Initial Teacher Education….
…The publication ends with a statement on the lack of political will by us plebs (you may well be invited to join a Citizens’ Assembly in the very near future):
This has been demonstrated through various citizens’ assemblies in the UK, where even members of the public with no prior knowledge of climate change recommend progressive and bold action after learning about its potential catastrophic effects.
If the population of Wales remains disengaged with climate action, there will be no political will for climate resilience and mitigation actions, such as those recommended in this and other Wales net zero reports, by the Welsh Government. As climate change continues to wreak havoc on Wales and the wider world, steps will eventually have to be taken to address the damage done and adapt to the worsening situation. Educating the population of Wales about climate change, resilience and mitigation actions, will strengthen political will for government-led and government-funded climate action.
I have just embarked on Vasily Grossman’s epic novel “Life and Fate”. The parallels between the embedding of official communist ideology in every aspect of Soviet life (in effect, making it the state religion) and the attempts to do the same with the climate change/net zero mantra in the UK are pretty strong and very chilling.
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I’ll put this here since Northern Ireland’s greenhouse emissions are even more insignificant than the minuscule Welsh output. Talk about hubris:
“O’Neill brands DUP’s climate change vote a ‘dereliction of duty’
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy6n2pn82yo
…O’Neill said unionist opposition to the role being created was “illogical” and said the assembly had a “moral duty” to help tackle climate change.…
I think politicians really should concentrate on areas where their plans might make a difference rather than on areas where they definitely won’t.
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I wonder if this stuff will be ditched if Reform successfully pitches its tanks on the Senedd’s lawn?
“New Climate Action Programme lead for culture sector in Wales”
https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/124906/judith-appointed-climate-action-programme-lead-for-culture-sector-in-wales/
THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF WALES in Aberystwyth has appointed Judith Musker Turner as new Climate Action Programme lead for the culture sector.
This pivotal role will drive forward the sector’s response to the climate and nature emergencies. With a strong background in climate action and stakeholder engagement, Judith brings a wealth of expertise, passion and strategic insight to this new post, funded by the Welsh Government..….
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I notice this boondoggle is funded by the Welsh Assembly.
I’m sure my constituents in Hakin Milford Haven would much rather the money was spent on filling potholes. cleaning up dog mess, and providing off-street parking on the ward’s many council estates.
The problem is that, in democratic Wales, decisions to spend money on this sort of virtue signalling are taken behind closed-doors (and closed minds) so my constituents are never asked.
Mike Stoddart county councillor Milford Haven Hakin ward.
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This is bound to make the difference at COP30:
“Welsh groups urge leaders to put fairness at the heart of UN climate summit in Brazil”
https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/126964/welsh-groups-urge-leaders-to-put-fairness-at-the-heart-of-un-climate-summit-in-brazil/
…Global Climate Justice Cymru held a people-powered demonstration between 12:00pm and 1:00pm, marking what they describe as a pivotal moment in international climate diplomacy. The event was attended by First Minister Eluned Morgan MS, along with Jenny Rathbone MS, Lindsay Whittle MS and Jane Dodds MS.
Campaigners say COP30 represents a turning point …
Haven’t they said that about every COP to date?
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Mark – I may be a bit harsh, but the “Global Climate Justice Cymru held a people-powered demonstration between 12:00pm and 1:00pm” article photo seems to show about 20ish demonstrators, so “people-powered” is a bit of a joke.
However, found this quote interesting, but not relevant to “Welsh involvement in global climate efforts” –
“Global Climate Justice Cymru argues that Wales must continue to show leadership by meeting its own emission-reduction targets with “courage, clarity and solidarity.” They point to Wales’s longstanding internationalist outlook — from miner-led anti-apartheid solidarity to its status as a Nation of Sanctuary — and call for that legacy to guide Welsh involvement in global climate efforts.”
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dfhunter,
The hubris in Wales is off the scale.
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