Welsh Assembly on course to meet energy emissions targets

The National Assembly for Wales has published its Annual Report which shows it has achieved a 34% reduction in energy emissions since 2008/2009. It is on course to meet its target to reduce energy emissions by 40% by 2015. The Assembly also achieved a 29% reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions.

Dame Rosemary Butler AM, the Assembly’s Presiding Officer said:

“I am pleased to see that we are making such good progress in terms of reducing our impact on the environment because we should rightly be spearheading the campaign in Wales to reduce emissions. The Assembly’s success has come from working in partnership with the Carbon Trust and other specialists.” “But we are not going to rest on our laurels. To maintain our momentum in reducing energy emissions, further technical and specialist support has been commissioned and has resulted in the production of a Carbon Reduction Route Map with new challenging targets, requiring a further 30 per cent emissions reduction up until 2021.” Further findings include:

1. 13.4 % reduction in overall business travel emissions since 2008/09; 2. 3.62% reduction in the last year of waste being sent to landfill, nearing the zero landfill waste target; and 3. 4.57% reduction in waste emissions compared to last year.

Peter Black AM, the Assembly Commissioner added:

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff working in the Assembly’s Sustainability and Facilities Management teams and the efforts of all occupants in achieving these impressive results. As a nation, Wales needs to show leadership in reducing its carbon footprint, and the National Assembly needs to play a central role in that by setting an example. We still have a lot of work to do in making further reductions but the results demonstrate that we are on the right track.”