Labour is squandering Wales' reputation as a green world leader

12.00.00am GMT Tue 21st Mar 2006

Welsh Liberal Democrats will accuse Labour of squandering Wales' place as a World leader in sustainable development in this afternoon's debate.

As one of only three countries with a legal requirement to sustainability, Wales was considered one of the World's leaders at the time of the Earth Summit in Johannesburg in 2002. Today, Welsh Liberal Democrats will accuse Labour of lacking vision and allowing others to leapfrog Wales.

Environment and social justice spokesperson Mick Bates AM said: "The Labour Assembly Government has turned the Assembly's statutory duty to consider sustainable development into empty words. They have become experts in sustainable rhetoric, rather than sustainable development.

"We have a scheme, an action plan and annual reports are debated in plenary. But where has the focus and commitment to sustainable development made a real difference? Has there been measurable progress?"

Mick will highlight Upper Austria as one region which has overtaken Wales, and highlight the missed opportunities of Labour's energy policy as laid out in TAN 8.

"Upper Austria is considered by many to be an exemplary sustainable energy region," said Mr Bates. "Their renewable energy policies are based around biomass and solar thermal. And they have turned their commitment in to economic gain.

"Biomass amounts to 14 % of total energy consumption. There are 9,000 biomass heating installations, 250 district heating plants and100 municipalities use biomass for heating. Upper Austria has taken action to ensure there is a market for Solar and Biomass in the region.

"Upper Austria has reaped benefits of its active commitment to sustainable energy: A saving of 1 billion Euros on imported fossil fuels, 25,000 jobs created in a growing market sector, the creation of new professions and educational opportunities, technological innovation, export opportunities and a 50% export rate, regional investment worth 60 million Euros."

Kirsty Williams, economic development spokesperson, will draw on the Scottish example where a green jobs strategy and a commitment to understandable indicators of progress has reaped benefits.

"The DTI says that the world market for environmental goods and services was valued at US$515 billion in 2000 and was forecast to increase to US$688 billion by 2010. This provides enormous opportunities, which Welsh businesses must be encouraged to seize.

"Going green isn't about extra regulation, nor is it about being worthy do-gooders. Going green is an economic opportunity, and needs to be sold to business that way. It is a chance for our companies in Wales to cut costs, to expand in to new markets, and beef up our economy to match the best of the rest in Europe."

Mike German, Assembly leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, added: "This debate is a wake-up call to the Labour Assembly Government. Their lack of commitment means that Wales is slipping down the league of nations.

"Sustainable development is a cultural change and an ongoing process. It is about living our lives differently and viewing the world differently. It is about preserving the environment for ourselves and the future whilst at the same time fostering economic success. This is not an easy equation but we must challenge ourselves, and work harder at achieving it."