The Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has spoken of her delight following her appointment as the Shadow Minister for Climate Change. The new portfolio covers housing, planning, the environment, and energy.
Mrs Finch-Saunders showed decisive leadership on these issues in the fifth Senedd, a positive legacy that she is now hoping to build upon. Over the past year, she has addressed the Commonwealth on matters of environmental governance and held the Welsh Government to account over its clean air and NVZ policies. The Member also brought forward an innovative legislative proposal to implement a deposit return scheme across Wales.
Commenting on her appointment, Janet said:
“In the year of COP15 and COP26, when the UK Government will show bold leadership to help drive forward clean and green recoveries around the globe, I am absolutely delighted to have been appointed as the Welsh Shadow Minister for Climate Change.
“This is a large and important portfolio with a growing number of pressing issues to address. The climate and nature emergencies are among the greatest challenges of our time, so I am clear that Wales must take action today to drive down emissions and meet our targets.
“That means reviewing proposals for a Welsh Clean Air Act to make them more ambitious and urgently bringing forward plans for a more permanent Welsh environment watchdog. Moves must also be taken to supercharge investment in the wide spectrum of renewable energy.
“I know all too well how the pandemic has impacted our job market and economic prospects. This is why I will also be calling for bold plans to help push forward a recovery that will generate long-term, green collar jobs and emphasise the benefits of a well-managed marine environment.”
