In response to the UK Committee on Climate Change ambitious new target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 95% by 2050, Sophie Howe, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales said:

“I welcome the new targets which I agree are necessary, feasible and cost effective in the long-term.  Meeting these targets is challenging but certainly possible if we are prepared to change the way we live and work.
“Most importantly it will require significant change in policy and allocation of resources in Wales, not least a decision not to invest all of the country’s borrowing capacity in an extension to the M4 relief road which will add to our carbon emissions. Currently Wales has reduced emissions from transport by only 3% since 1990 and this is set against a target already set of a 11% reduction by next year and a 79% reduction in this sector by 2050.
“Alongside this the UK Climate Change Committee have been clear that action is needed to increase renewable energy, make buildings more energy efficient, reduce emissions from farming, ensure better planning design and build of homes and to restore forests and peat lands to capture carbon.
“I am pleased that the Welsh Government’s declaration of a Climate Emergency echo’s the urgency of the Committees recommendations but we now need to see clear action and allocation of resources to match this commitment.”