CCCW/15/2 - update
Update from Commission Meeting held on 18th June 2015
Butetown Pavilion, Cardiff
The Climate Change Commission for Wales (CCCW) brings together representatives from key sectors and organisations
across Wales, to build agreement on the action needed to tackle climate change. Chaired by Peter Davies, Commissioner
for Sustainable Futures, members of the Commission represent a wide range of political, business, academic, local and
national government bodies, and third sector organisations. The Commission meets four times a year.
Item 1 – Welcome & Introductions
Peter Davies, Chair of the Commission, welcomed all and in particular two new faces – Liz Parkes, Head of
Climate Ready, Environment Agency and Dave Reilly, Head of Carbon Trust Wales.
Item 2 – CCCW Updates
Actions from previous meetings:
Divestment – CCCW to fund piece of work looking at public sector investment and the potential/
opportunities for divestment for PS in Wales.
Actions:
CCCW members to follow up with suggestions on who could be approached (e.g. Sustainable Places,
Cardiff Uni).
Updates from Chairs
1. Jim Poole – Adaptation sub-group
April meeting of devolved administrations, through link with Climate Ready, agreed to work closely
together including peer reviewing plans, see - http://thecccw.org.uk/adaptation-support-servicesacross-the-uk-meet-to-share-learning/
3 SAP events in May, July, Sept – http://thecccw.org.uk/adaption/
Adaptation event – Climate Week in Autumn
UKCCC Adaptation sub-committee working on evidence report for CCRA2 – Adaptation sub-group
have offered to review.
Discussion points:
Link to PSB Wellbeing Assessments in future will be important & also joint needs assessments. PHW
& WLGA working on a National framework for this.
Links to Universities / science base? E.g. Resilicoast project – Ser Cymru
WEFO – Interreg programme – has supported Adaptation projects (provide update at next
Commission meeting)
European Network on Adaptation
Liz Parkes mentioned a recent US visit / study tour to EA – happy to share findings.
UKCCC report – 30 June – will be considering mitigations & adaptation.
2. Anne Sharp – Built environment
CEW looking at 50 sites for 21st century schools – key flagship programme. Looking at 6 areas –
educational attainment, cost, certainty (procurement), social value, specification, sustainability.
Recent reports – EPCs & Mortgages & Maes-yr-Onn monitoring.
Apologies received from Bernard Llewellyn (chair of Land-use sub group) & Jane Lorimer (chair of Transport
sub-group).
Meeting with Senior Leaders (16th April) & Feedback from UK CCC (17th April)
Key challenges
Leadership, governance, accountability, consistency across the whole of WG is a key issue that needs
to be strengthened.
Data & measuring progress is not clear enough.
Comisiwn Cymru ar y Newid yn yr Hinsawdd – diweddariad cyfarfod
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CCCW/15/2 - update
Financial difficulties across the public sector – mainstreaming climate change against the backdrop
of financial cuts is a key issue.
Climate change is not a high enough priority, still, not helped by continuation of silo-working across
government and other organisations.
Key points of intervention are not working effectively e.g. energy efficiency, built environment,
retrofit, renewables, transport etc – multiple benefits are not being recognised.
Contradiction between reducing emissions in agricultural sector, and WG commitment to increase
production by 30%; also mixed messages in terms of biodiversity and climate change.
Lack of long-term planning, investment and support for small businesses – message re climate
change is not strong enough.
Key opportunities
Agenda for action: develop a political agreement to feed into Welsh election debate & manifestos
(2016).
Need a clear action plan / route map to deliver CC commitments (building on 2010 strategy) –
through carbon budgets / statutory CC targets.
CCCW to encourage organisations / sectors to work together on key issues.
Build on strong science base in Wales, and increase links between academia policy and other sectors.
150 new schools being built through the 21st century schools programme – this is an opportunity to
implement new ideas, then measure and monitor changes [CEW].
3 workshops in June with SME developers to scope out how they can help WG to meet the housing
demand, and also build homes at higher standards [CEW]
Highlight good practice across public sector including work on renewables [WLGA].
Linking health & job creation agenda with energy efficiency, transport etc.
Role of workplaces: work with TUC to promote low carbon agenda through employers and
employees.
Devolution of powers – potential for tax-related activities e.g. review of business rates in Wales?
Promote NRW as exemplar – work on adaptation, mainstreaming CC, flood awareness work and
working towards becoming a net-carbon positive organisation.
Future skills – international research for ZCB [CAT].
European funding – need a clear narrative / more strategic approach to allocation, to support
delivery of a low carbon future.
Infrastructure – key projects for energy, transport etc – supporting low carbon future; links to Green
Growth work.
Role of third sector to engage communities and encourage climate change action.
Feedback from UKCCC
UK Progress Report will be laid before the Welsh Assembly (as well as the Westminster Parliament) on 30
June. In discussions around the Progress Report, the Committee has picked up a few themes from the
evidence and performance we have seen in Wales. These include:
Heat: the importance of a clear strategy around heat – covering domestic, commercial and industrial
uses – including a target around renewable heat. Heat represents one of the biggest sources of
emissions in future carbon budgets and one of the biggest gaps in policy.
Industry: importance of working with industry to build on the roadmaps with specific actions –
potentially re-enforced through specific agreements and a clear plan on CCS.
Non-financial barriers to electric vehicles: while the financial levers sit in Westminster, there is an
important role for tackling non-financial barriers such as incentives through parking and traffic lanes
and the use of public procurement.
Tree-planting: whether further measures are needed to meet Welsh targets and, importantly,
coordination with other DAs and England to ensure overall UK ambition is appropriately shared.
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There are also a series of local issues around renewables in the power sector. Again many of the financial
levers sit in Westminster but clarity around the local Welsh ambition is important – just as Scotland’s
ambition has been important.
Refresh & Manifesto
The above feedback can feed into the Commission’s Manifesto – this needs to be developed asap, and will
need input from young people via Young Wales.
Actions:
Members to let Commission know asap if they want to be part of Manifesto process.
Briefly discussed the update provided re progress on the Commission’s 25 Recommendations.
Peatlands update: WG Strategy and Task group looking at restoration projects – James can provide further
update on this. CSLB flagged up the WG Grants Review and the need to monitor its impact on delivery of
engagement / support for civil society.
Actions:
Circulate full response from Welsh Government (& consider combining WG & CCCW responses)
Take a look at the Wales Water Strategy
Item 3 – Scotland 2020 – Martin Valenti, SEPA (via skype)
Scotland 2020 was established in 2009 – when a group of businesses got together to look at
opportunities to collaborate before Copenhagen. CC (Scotland) Act included a 42% emission
reduction by 2020 target.
Ian Marchant originally chaired the group – he has recently stepped down and will be replaced by
Lady Susan Rice who brings a greater focus on economic & social issues.
They are currently taking a look at Scotland 2020’s achievements to date, and considering plans for
the next 5 years. “Collaboratories” are being developed in next few months to come up with 5 year
plan – focussed on leadership, advocacy, influencing.
Community Empowerment Bill being developed to promote SD.
Secretariat support is going to be provided by the Edinburgh centre for Carbon Innovation; strategic
direction will be provided by the chair and 4 vice-chairs (of which Martin is one).
Scottish Low Carbon conference – takes place every year.
Discussion:
For land use – they have set up a Natural Capital Forum for the largest land owners in Scotland.
3 other sub-groups – Transport, Innovation & Enterprise, Built Environment – see
http://www.2020climategroup.org.uk/
Engagement with Arts & Creative practice? 2020 lectures and also engagement with churches.
Student placement programme? Carbon Master programme with Edinburgh University, also
involved in Scotland 2020 Group’s work priorities e.g. sub groups.
Global interest in Scotland has increased number of businesses being based there over last 5 years.
Opportunities:
Further engagement re plans for the future
Need to be bold in Wales – capture positives such as small scale but high interest in CC
GG conference – 9th September
Links re Paris – work together to develop a narrative to take there; ministerial attendance?
Scotland – stronger Business leaders / community
Item 4 – Review & Future role of the Commission
WG is undertaking a review to feed in ideas and suggestions into new FG Commissioner. The contract has
been awarded to Databuild, who will be looking at Cynnal Cymru activity over the last 3 years. They will be
arranging 4 workshops for around 5-8 people, 1 of which will be for CCCW; will also be circulating Qs to a
wider audience and welcome contributions via telephone interviews. The final report is due in Sept/Oct.
Comisiwn Cymru ar y Newid yn yr Hinsawdd – diweddariad cyfarfod
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CCCW/15/2 - update
Discussion:
Young person’s representation on CCCW will need to be considered by FG Commissioner; Young
Leaders work will also need to feed into this.
How are we considering/engaging with innovation e.g. transformational change that’s needed?
Need to move away from thinking & doing things in such a traditional way. Links to Education
curriculum?
CCCW – Manifesto proposals – could include ideas on how future government can take forward
partnership model on CC, building consensus etc.
How do they plan on tracking spin-off benefits of CCCW work; and will there be any WG reflection
feeding into review.
Item 5 – Getting Ready for Zero & feedback from Bonn – Paul Allen, CAT
Presentation available at: http://www.slideshare.net/theCCCW/cats-feedback-from-bonn-june-2015
Zero Carbon Britain project has been running for about 8 years; attended UNFCCC event in Bonn
recently.
They are looking at how they can simplify the text being prepared for Paris; INDC (independent
bottom up voluntary contribution) – not all have been made public yet.
New IPCC paper looking at whether 1.5 degrees would be more realistic than 2 degrees target.
Climateactiontracker.org – pulls together EU & G7 commitments – these stabilise emissions but
don’t give the rapid decline that science demands.
5+5 process = commit for 5 years with intended commitments for next 5 years.
Who’s getting ready for zero – 72 different models from across world. The information will be pulled
together in one place to make it accessible. Scales/Levels – global, regional, countries, city. Also need to
make definitions clear and easy to understand. Includes 6 key conclusions; list of social, environmental,
economic benefits; Next Steps – launch of report in July, suggested goals for Paris.
Discussion:
Need to maximise profile of CAT Wales/ internationally and build on this.
ZCB – zero by 2030; should we be looking at a ZC Wales model? Challenges because the borders are
so fluid.
Item 6 – Environment Bill & Carbon budgets – Andy Fraser, Welsh Government
Presentation available at: http://www.slideshare.net/theCCCW/wg-presentation-on-the-environment-jilljoining-up-new-legislation
Case for Change - 2011 Programme for Government. New legal framework to manage Wales’ natural
resources in a joined-up and sustainable way; considering strategic challenges and opportunities.
Enshrines 12 principles of the UN Convention on Biodiversity.
Part 1 – Provides mandate/requirement to integrate; includes a definition for ‘sustainable
management of natural resources’ which is a first for Europe. 3 products:
 NRW to produce SoNaRR every 5 years,
 National NR Policy (Welsh Ministers) every 5 years
 Area Statements – delivery at local level
Part 2 – CC; fits in the wider framework of UK CC Act but goes beyond UK & Scottish legislation.
Minimum ambition is 80% by 2050 and 5 yearly Carbon budgets – timing aligned to WFG Act &
election cycles so are different to UK C-budget cycles. C budgets will be assigned directly to all
Ministers so each department will have to set out how it is going to deliver budgets – cross cabinet
responsibility.
Bill also has provision to create a Flood & Coastal Erosion Committee for Wales.
Range of fact-sheets and videos available on WG website http://gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/consmanagement/natural-resourcesmanagement/environment-bill/?lang=en
Actions:
Circulate handout explaining links between the 3 Bills.
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Commission members to send any further thoughts, before the Committee session on 2 nd July
Add CCCW Response to website plus letter from UK CCC
Discussion
Bill lacks reference to FG Bill & Goals which is a concern – need clear messaging to public sector.
There is an explicit reference to SD principles (FG Act) in the Bil, conscious not to replicate what is
already in place through primary legislation.
2006 Environment strategy for Wales put forward statutory targets re protected sites, disappointed
that the biodiversity targets are not included on face of Bill. Specific reference s to UN Convention on
Biodiversity – targets are difficult to specify in legislation, so will be included in NNR Policy.
Clarity re ‘targets set at economically effective rates’; emissions & EU ETS? Economic / technological
performance will be taken into consideration. Net welsh emissions will encompass EU ETS scheme,
so these will be taken into account but will be separated from those that are within the competence
of Welsh Ministers.
Silent adaptation – will there be a commitment on welsh ministers? National Policy will consider CC
including Adaptation and Resilient Goal (WFG Act).
Key issue = communications of 3 Bills, needs to be incorporated into the wider narrative rather than
focussing on the legal requirements.
Item 7 – Communication & COP21
COIN workshops
COP21 Timeline
Young Wales
Summary of COIN workshops available at - http://thecccw.org.uk/resource/communicating-climate-changein-wales; letter has been sent to Minister, no response as yet.
Actions:
Follow-up with Nick Pidgeon re evidence about mixed/undermining messaging
Follow-up re focus on working with Comms experts, through Comms Cymru etc
Add event to Timeline: “Our Common Future” - International Scientific Conference (7-10 July, Paris,
France)
Explore opportunities re young people’s representation in Paris through Young Wales – e.g. British
Council, NGO route?
Young Wales update – Gary Jackson
Main Priorities – healthy relationships, online safety, bullying & hate crime – see www.youngwales.wales.
Other priorities include CC, PSE, carers. Interested in looking at promoting safe cycle routes for young people
to school / education, linked to Active Travel Act.
Action:
Put Gary in touch with Jane Lorimer, Sustrans.
Item 5 - Tyndall Centre – carbon budget report - Professor Kevin Anderson
Presentation available at: http://www.slideshare.net/theCCCW/tyndall-centre-presentation-welsh-carbonbudget-report
Key points:
Report – the focus on energy-CO2 only
IPCC synthesis reports – looks at how we can stay below 2 degrees C, starting in 2011. Since 2011
we’ve emitted 150 Gt CO2 – 15% of 2 degree carbon budget.
33% chance of avoiding > 2 degrees needs mitigation rates far beyond anything that’s being
discussed at the moment
Net zero (zero or below) is dependent on geo engineering (this is an embedded assumption in most
low-carbon scenarios).
UNEP Gap Report – basis for UK & Wales policy & targets.
Wales budget to end 2100 = 11-18 years of emissions
Comisiwn Cymru ar y Newid yn yr Hinsawdd – diweddariad cyfarfod
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Discussion
4 degree world would be disastrous, BAU is an apocalyptic future.
Lots of reports now going beyond 2 degrees, and looking at 3-4 degrees which is a concern.
IMF & IA – key reports?
Focus should be on carbon budgets (not targets).
Item 9 - General updates
Resource Efficient Wales – Carl Nichols, WRAP & Dave Reilly, Carbon Trust
Raising awareness of new service – need to use CCCW networks to promote
Public sector support:
Delivery – one to one, or one to many eg workshops, events etc
Supporting around 60 public sector bodies – energy efficiency surveys, FIT technology advice, fuel
poverty etc.
Still lots of improvement possible including greater focus on behaviour change.
12 months to go, contract will be reviewed before then.
Targets for energy reduction would be very helpful – will they be included in Environment Bill?
Action:
Circulate Energy Efficiency Strategy consultation
Climate Ready – Liz Parkes, Environment Agency
£1.6 million funding from DEFRA to build capacity in organisations in England to address Adaptation.
Partnerships with Met Office, Climate UK, LGA.
This year looking forward to what support is needed in the future and what the service should be
delivering – sustainable model in the future – Climate Services an opportunity?
Tools can be used beyond England & good to learn from wider UK programmes.
Green Growth
Both Ministers hosting a GG session on 9th September – invitation to be circulated to Commission.
Action:
Circulate Minister’s Green Growth Statement –
http://gov.wales/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2015/greengrowth/?lang=en
Update from Energy Delivery Group
Rita is Commission rep on this group, chaired by Ms Hart – regular updates to be shared.
Item 8 – Update on Funded projects
Procurement – initial feedback has been shared with Finance Minister and she is keen to see final report.
Links to Procurement statement issued recently.
Car Clubs –report has been shared with Transport Minister & now being followed up with Rhodri Griffiths.
Green Infrastructure – rough draft produced and will be circulated for feedback.
Other events coming up:
LCRI Launch next Weds – 24th June
Energy positive house – 16th July
CBI meeting of large energy users – 24th June
Full Commission meeting dates for 2015:
Tuesday 29th September
Weds 9th December
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Attendees
Peter Davies
Chair & Commissioner for Sustainable Futures
Jim Poole
Natural Resources Wales
Derek Osborne
Prof. Ian Hall
David Reilly
Paul Allen
Sharon Hopkins
Janet Davies
Clare Sain-ley-Berry
Peter Randerson
Carl Nichols
Anne Sharp
Liz Parkes
James Byrne
Kevin Anderson
Neville Rookes
Ed Janes
Kay Newman
Gary Jackson
Jess McQuade
Vicky Pope
Clare Sain-ley-Berry
Phil Jones
Speakers
Martin Valenti
Andy Fraser
Welsh Government
Lucy Corfield
Nikki Fitzgerald
Paul Dunhill
Cynnal Cymru
Eurgain Powell
Dan Jones - Communications
Apologies
Sian Tomos
Iestyn Davies & Neil Blockley
Cllr Andrew Morgan
Prof. Hywel Thomas
Clive Walmsley
Gemma Holmes
Lorraine Whitmarsh
Jo Atkinson
Duncan McCombie
David Proctor
Cynnal Cymru - Sustain Wales
Cardiff University & C3W
Head of Carbon Trust Wales
CAT
Cardiff & Vale UHB
Plaid Cymru
EW / WCVA
Liberal Democrats
WRAP Cymru
CEW
Environment Agency Climate Ready
WEL
Tyndall Centre
Welsh Local Government Association
Children in Wales
Wrexham Youth Participation worker
Wrexham
WWF
Met Office
Environment Wales
LCRI
Scotland 2020
Welsh Government – Natural Resources
Climate Change Team
Climate Change team
Climate Change team
Arts Council
FSB
Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA)
Cardiff University
NRW
UKCCC
Cardiff University
Carbon Trust
Energy Saving Trust
CBI
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