As the world’s eyes concentrate on Glasgow, the COP26 Climate Change Summit of international leaders and its subsequent aftermath, each and every one of us can do our bit to tackle both the immediate and long-term threats we face.
The recent report from the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is the starkest reminder so far that the climate crisis is here now. However, it also makes clear that with sustained reductions in carbon dioxide emissions we can limit climate change and that we need urgent action this decade to have any chance of limiting warming to close to 1.5°C.
The UK Government must now begin to show global leadership on this issue. We should aim to achieve the substantial majority of our emissions reductions by 2030, make climate justice a priority and take action to accelerate the benefits of nature restoration and recovery.
Here in Wales, I welcome the fact that the Welsh Labour Government is already putting climate change at the heart of its decision making by creating a new “super-Ministry” for Climate Change.
This means that all the major drivers of climate change, such as housing and transport, have been brought together under one Ministry, and congratulations to our Llanelli Member of the Senedd Lee Waters for accepting the enormous challenge of being the Deputy Minister in that department . Since 1990 Welsh emissions have fallen by 31%, but we need to do so much more to hit the statutory target of net zero by 2050.
Locally, I have been quizzing the Council on how it proposes to tackle climate change. No more so than in the design and delivery of the redevelopments that are planned in the Station Road area of Llanelli and at Pentre Awel (formerly known as Delta Lakes), and I will continue to pursue this.
And I have been pleased to see that so many local people are stepping up to the mark too. We can all make our own individual contributions by recycling more, making lifestyle choices that are more environmentally friendly and helping to green our local communities by working together. Whether it is by choosing an electric vehicle the next time we need a new car, by using public transport or walking / cycling more or thinking about what we eat and how much food we buy actually goes to waste, every little helps.
It has been inspiring to be able to help local groups such as those in Llanerch who want to plant more trees in their area and to play their part. Climate change and how we reach net zero as soon as we can should be at the very heart of the thinking of all community groups, businesses and other organisations in Llanelli and elsewhere. I have been encouraged by the positive start that many have made on this but so much more needs to be done and at a much faster rate than before.
The challenge of climate change is vast. We need to think global but, equally importantly, act local as well.
