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‘Wales needs action on economic resilience’ SDC tells inquiry
15 March 2010
The Sustainable Development Commission Wales has told an Assembly inquiry that action must be taken now to ensure Wales increases the resilience of its economy to the future threats of resource depletion and climate change.
These factors are already having a profound effect on the economy and people’s lives; an effect which has been compounded by the recession and is set to worsen over time, as we face an end to the era of cheap oil.
In its submission to the Enterprise and Learning Committee’s inquiry on ‘Generating Jobs in the Green Economy’, the SDC stressed the need to make the economy better able to absorb environmental and economic shocks in a way that does not compound inequality or go beyond ecological limits.
Among the key issues highlighted by the Commission are:
• Realising the vision of a more sustainable economy set out in the Green Jobs Strategy; translating ambition into actual, measurable outcomes
• Developing a clear definition of what constitutes a ‘green job’
• Harnessing the opportunities offered by the global demand for sustainable products and services
• Ensuring that in efforts to recover from the recession, Wales considers long term future trends and risks and prepares by investing in areas such as renewable energy, sustainable transport and energy efficient homes
In response to questions posed by the Committee, the SDC referred to the skills shortages in areas such as science and engineering – a potential obstacle to Wales achieving its 3% annual carbon reduction target. The Commission also underlined the potential for government to harness public sector procurement and links with higher education to encourage and support sustainable businesses.