Culture change needed to tackle climate change - German

12.00.00am GMT Mon 26th Feb 2007

Welsh Liberal Democrats today promised to lead a cultural change to tackle climate change, and that all new housing in Wales will be carbon neutral by 2015.

The comments came as Assembly leader Mike German launched the policy document "A Greener Wales", which highlights 21 policies for the 21st century, designed to put Wales at the forefront of the green revolution - producing clean, green power, and creating jobs.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly leader Mike German said: "Tackling climate change is the biggest challenge this generation faces. My party has always led public and political opinion on concern for the environment. Now that other parties are finally waking up to the threat of climate change, we have to maintain our place at the front. Urgent action is needed.

"We are ready to be ambitious in our targets. It's only by being bold, and getting all of Wales together to make it happen, that we can begin to turn back the tide of this man-made threat.

"That's why I want to see us being bold; devolving powers over new buildings to ensure that all new homes in Wales meet the greenest standards. That's good news for the environment, and good news for home owners because greener homes, will be more energy efficient homes, with cheaper bills."

Mr German stressed the need for tough targets on recycling and energy generation from renewable resources too.

"In government I will push for the boldest targets and make sure that the government isn't asking people to do things it is unwilling to do. It won't be easy, but if we don't make the difficult choices now, we will all pay for it in the future.

"The Welsh Liberal Democrats have already taken positive steps to open up renewable technology to everyone who wants it. I recently put forward a bill to make negotiating planning barriers to renewable micro-generation technology easier, and I am pleased to say that, time permitting, this will come into force before the end of the current Assembly term.

"A green thread runs throughout Welsh Liberal Democrat policies, and we have a commitment to tackle climate change by reducing carbon emissions and energy use. This thread must run through all areas of Welsh life if we are to create a greener Wales."

Notes:

Full copies of A Greener Wales will be available shortly at www.welshlibdems.org.uk in the policy section.