The Welsh Conservatives’ Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Energy and Rural Affairs – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has today (22 July) urged the Welsh Government to carefully target their economic recovery schemes to stimulate ‘long-term green collar jobs’ that aides those sectors hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Her comments come as Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that a £350 million is being made available to cut emissions in heavy industry and drive economic recovery from coronavirus. The investment package will help businesses to decarbonise across the heavy industry, construction, space and transport sectors and to secure the UK’s place at the forefront of green innovation.
Commenting, Janet said:
“Climate change is among the greatest challenges of our time. Our nation’s COVID-19 recovery offers an unparalleled opportunity to help stimulate the creation of long-term green collar jobs that will help Wales more effectively meet its carbon emission targets in the years to come.
“It is a sad fact that this coronavirus pandemic has disproportionately impacted our nation’s tourism, heavy industry and arts sectors. The Welsh Government must ensure any proposals for the nation’s green recovery takes this, as well as any concerning regional disparities, into account.
“As the official opposition in the Welsh Parliament, the Welsh Conservatives will continue to press for sensible and targeted business-first plans that help to nurture jobs and cut emissions.
“Bold and innovative leadership is required to sustain clean economic growth into the future. This is why the Welsh Conservatives are also looking at introducing a nationwide drink containers deposit return scheme to help support a large-scale behavioural change in how Wales deals with waste.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- The public can register their views on the Welsh Conservatives’ plastic proposals by heading to: https://www.conservatives.wales/campaigns/ban-single-use-plastics-wales-welsh-conservatives-taking-action-stop-plastic-pollution
