(Title Image: treehugger.com)
The Issue
The 2015 Paris Agreement set an aim for all of the world’s countries to cap a global rise in temperature to 1.5-2°C above pre-industrial levels, which is believed would be enough to stave off the worst effects of man-made climate change.
The obvious way to achieve this is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy – which is gradually becoming less expensive to provide – and making big changes to agricultural production. There are also other, more radical, possibilities such as giving every individual a personal carbon account which would “ration” how much greenhouse gas emissions a person can produce in a year.
The Motion
The Senedd:
- Recognises the need to tackle global warming and support the Paris Agreement by cutting carbon emissions in line with the Well-being of Future Generations Act 2015.
- Notes that the sustainable development principle was embedded in the Assembly by the Government of Wales Act 1998.
- Calls on the Welsh Government to commission further research into a personal carbon accounts pilot scheme in Wales.
Key Points
Simon Thomas AM (Plaid, Mid & West Wales)
For (the motion): Individuals should think about their carbon use
- There’s little discussion on personal/individual responsibility to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Personal carbon accounts would act as a form of personal carbon trading where “credits” are transferred via a carbon credit card for every action that uses carbon. The government would give everyone a personal carbon allowance for a set time.
- You would be able to “sell” carbon you don’t use (or buy more), providing a financial incentive; 58% of households in Wales use less than the mean average carbon and would stand to benefit and address fuel poverty.
Jenny Rathbone AM (Lab, Cardiff Central)
For: Food contribution to greenhouse gas emissions would be addressed
- It would make people think about carbon use with regard diets and where their food comes from; dairy, meat and eggs produce more greenhouse gas emissions.
- Simple measures like eating chicken instead of beef can cut emissions by a quarter.
Neil Hamilton AM (UKIP, Mid & West Wales)
Mixed views: Tackling air pollution is fine, but anti-global warming measures are costly
- It would be an important measure in improving air quality.
- Anti-global warming measures are pushing up the price of energy for the poorest in society; carbon dioxide “isn’t a poison gas”.
Welsh Government Response
Environment & Rural Affairs Secretary, Lesley Griffiths (Lab, Wrexham)
- Wales isn’t a party to the Paris Agreement, but actions at a state and sub-national level can make a big impact.
- Welsh Government wants a carbon-neutral public sector by 2030.
- Welsh Government will also set national “carbon budgets” and sees personal carbon accounts as one way of raising awareness of individual actions.
- It’s “unlikely at the moment” that Wales has the power to introduce personal carbon accounts.
Vote
The motion was approved unanimously.
