Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs
This Government is committed to working together to tackle the climate emergency. That means listening to different perspectives and seeking out the voices that can be crowded out.
As we look ahead to the annual Wales Climate Week in November, I’m excited to once again hear the discussions and the points of view on the opportunities linked to tackling climate change – and the trade-offs this might involve. We are working hard to generate a pathway to reduce emissions in the next carbon budget period (2026–2030) and this year, more than ever, we need the input of as many people as possible.
We know that it is not just about climate change. Tackling the climate crisis is fundamental to the future of Wales, but we need to do so in a way that improves the health of our nation, that protects our precious natural environments, that protects and creates jobs, brings energy security and puts money back in people’s pockets.
Today, the Welsh Government is publishing a discussion paper titled “Enabling the People of Wales to Deliver and Benefit from the Net Zero Transition in 2026-2030 and beyond”, which brings together the latest independent advice and evidence to inform our approach. The paper draws on the work of the Climate Change Committee, the Net Zero Wales 2035 Challenge Group and other expert sources. It sets out the current policy landscape across key sectors – agriculture and land use, housing, and transport – and explores the opportunities, challenges and interdependencies that will shape our next steps on the path to net zero.
November 2025 will also see Brazil host COP30. Ten years on from the Paris Agreement, this will be a critical moment in worldwide efforts to tackle the climate crisis. Wales will stand firm and stand proud as a global leader; building on our successes in sustainable development, in waste management and recycling, in transport and in the way we work together to tackle the issues that block our path.
The publication of this discussion paper marks the beginning of the next phase of engagement. It will be used to stimulate discussion during Wales Climate Week 2025, through a programme of virtual events, regional workshops, and community-led conversations. The insights gathered will help shape the development of our next emissions reduction plan, due to be published in 2026.
The Welsh Government remains committed to a fair and just transition, and to ensuring that the people of Wales are actively involved in shaping the policies that affect them. This paper, and the discussion we hope it will stimulate, is a key part of that commitment. I encourage stakeholders and members of the public to engage with its content and contribute to the dialogue.
The paper is available on the Climate Action Wales website, along with further details about Wales Climate Week.