The Welsh Government has disclosed that £6,778.62 of Welsh taxpayers money was spent on sending two officials to represent the Welsh Government at COP29.
The officials sent are the Head of Green Growth and the Carbon Budget Policy Manager.
The costs are:
- Flights from Heathrow Airport: £1660.00
- UK Government Approved Hotel, Baku: £4800.00
- Travel & Subsistence: £378.62
The information has been disclosed by Eluned Morgan MS, First Minister, to Janet Finch-Saunders MS, Shadow Minister for Climate Change.
Commenting on the spend, Janet said:
“At a time when finances are tight and both residents and businesses are paying more taxes, questions must be asked as to whether it was proportionate to spend almost £7,000 so that two Welsh Government officials could attend COP29.
“The primary goal of this COP was to raise money for nations experiencing the worst impacts of climate change. Developed nations agreed to channel $300billion a year to developing countries by 2035. What role did the Welsh Government play in this?
“Clarity needs to be provided as to what benefits have been brought to Wales and the world by our taxpayers money being spent on sending two officials.
“If Wales’s presence was so important, why did the First Minister not send a Cabinet Secretary?”
ENDS
