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Wales Should Seize Potential for a 'Green Recovery'

8 April 2009

  • The Sustainable Development Commission urges Assembly Government to consider targeted investment in green jobs and skills
  • Tackling the recession provides a unique opportunity to build a more resilient Wales in the face of climate change

The Welsh Assembly Government’s advisor on sustainability is calling for further investment in green skills and jobs to rebuild the economy in the face of climate change and rising commodity prices. Renewable energy, sustainable transport and making homes more energy efficient are some of the key areas for investment, according to the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC).

Builders at workToday the Commission publishes its advice to Ministers in the lead up to the Budget on April 22nd. “A Sustainable New Deal”, urges the UK Government to invest £30billion a year over the next three years on a green recovery package. Provisional calculations suggest this could create 800,000 jobs. Launching the report at Swansea’s Liberty Stadium, the Commission’s Economics Commissioner, Professor Tim Jackson said:

 

 

“The current economic crisis has the potential to seed the economic opportunities of tomorrow. But it demands courage and vision today. The Welsh Assembly Government has an opportunity to invest in the skills and jobs needed to build a more resilient, low carbon economy.”

The Welsh Assembly Government is committed to a 3% annual cut in carbon emissions in areas of devolved competence from 2011. It also has an aspiration of zero-carbon new buildings from 2011. Commissioner for Wales, Peter Davies said:

“We welcome the Welsh Assembly Government’s proposal to make sustainable development the ‘central organising principle for government’. Its work to support jobs through the recession, develop a green jobs strategy and create a low carbon zone in the Heads Of The Valleys provide a good starting point for the transition to a low carbon economy and addressing the threat of climate change.”

» Download 'A Sustainable New Deal'

 

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