Our decade of action: Wales net zero event

We must go faster to reduce carbon emissions if we are to meet ambitious net zero targets, it has been claimed at a net zero event in Wales this week.

The event, Journey to a net zero Wales, was aimed at bringing public sector organisations together to highlight and discuss the challenges around decarbonisation.

Wales has an ambitious 2030 net-zero targets.

The event, held at the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of Wales, was organised by Salix Finance in conjunction with the Welsh Government and Welsh Government Energy Service.

At the event speaker Ross Cudlipp, Service Manager in Climate Change at Newport City Council said: “Not every little helps every big helps.

“It’s the big challenges that we need to tackle.”

Dewi Day, Energy and Sustainability Advisor at Aberystwyth University said: “We know this needs to be the decade of action. If we don’t act in this decade, we can’t come close to national or international targets.”

Salix Chief Executive Annie Shepperd, OBE, also spoke at the event.

She said: “We need to bring people together and share what we know – why? So we can do something radical and create an environment that means your children and grandchildren will have the possibility for the future.”

Event Chairwoman and Assistant Director of Programmes at Salix Finance, Chiara Lorenzetti, said: “The message is clear, we need to go faster, and we need to ensure financial, strategic, and operational support is available.

“Decarbonisation is complex, and we need to be imaginative, creative, and ambitious.

“Technologies are available, and through knowledge sharing, we inspire one another to take action.

“Events like this are so important, they help us to witness that change is possible and we can learn from each other’s experiences.

“By working together across the public sector and governments, we can achieve a cleaner future.”

Stefan Runge, Development Manager at Welsh Government Energy Service, spoke about low-carbon heating solutions.

He said: “Higher temperatures aren’t necessarily required to heat a space. Many buildings are capable of being operated at a lower temperature, so it might be that not all the emitters need changing.

“Even so, the need for emitter changeover should not be a barrier to installing a low carbon heat solution.”

Other speakers on the day included Ceri Williams from Torfaen Council, Victoria Camp from Welsh Government Energy Service and Gareth Jones Amgueddfa Cymru.

The event was the second of a two-part series with the first being held in Llandudno earlier in May.