WAG spouting 98,000 tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere - German

5.00.00pm GMT Wed 28th May 2008

Mike German, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats and temporary chair of the Assembly Sustainability Committee, today warned that Jane Davidson, the Minister for the Environment, Sustainability and Housing, needed to listen to the views of the Sustainability Committee to ensure that the Welsh carbon footprint doesn't get bigger.

The Sustainability Committee recently published a report highlighting 6 key recommendations on how to reduce residential carbon emissions in Wales. A key recommendation rejected by the Minister could result in an annual carbon savings of around 98,000 tonnes per year from 2009 to 2017.

Mike German, South Wales East AM said:

"As our homes are responsible for around 27% of our carbon emissions, we need the lowering of these emissions to begin at home.

"As Minister responsible for the Environment, Sustainability and Housing, Jane Davidson has a great responsibility to ensure that Wales plays its part in the national and international effort to reduce carbon emissions.

"The fact that the Minister rejected a key recommendation from a comprehensive cross party report shows her lack of commitment to the One Wales promise to achieve annual carbon reduction of 3 per cent per year by 2011.

"A key recommendation of the Committee the Minister rejected, if implemented, could result in an annual carbon saving of around 98,000 tonnes per year from 2009 to 2017. I am obviously disappointed that the Minister rejected the proposal as the estimated amount of carbon we could be saving will be released in to the atmosphere, adding to the already worrying situation.

"What we want is bold and brave actions from the Minister. She has the backing of all the political parties and we are urging her to adopt these recommendations.

"Global warming is an issue that affects us all and will continue to affect us severely in the future if we do not reduce our carbon footprint. This is a time to prove that Wales is serious about tackling climate change."