



(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.