The Climate Change (Interim Emissions Targets) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2021

Welsh Statutory Instruments

2021 No. 338 (W. 92)

Climate Change, Wales

The Climate Change (Interim Emissions Targets) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2021

Made

17 March 2021

Coming into force

19 March 2021

In accordance with section 48(3) of the Environment (Wales) Act 2016(1) (“the Act”), a draft of this instrument was laid before and approved by a resolution of Senedd Cymru(2).

Before the draft was laid the Welsh Ministers—

(a) satisfied themselves that each interim emissions target is set at a level consistent with meeting the 2050 emissions target, in accordance with section 32(1)(a) of the Act,

(b) had regard to the matters listed in section 32(3) of the Act, and

(c) obtained and took into account the advice of the Committee on Climate Change(3), in accordance with section 49(1) of the Act.

The Committee on Climate Change has recommended that the interim emissions targets for 2030 and 2040 be amended.

Accordingly, the Welsh Ministers in exercise of the powers conferred by section 30(1) of the Act, and in accordance with section 32(2)(b) of the Act, make the following Regulations.

Title and commencement

1.—(1) The title of these Regulations is the Climate Change (Interim Emissions Targets) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2021.

(2) These Regulations come into force on 19 March 2021.

Amendment of the interim emissions targets

2.—(1) Regulation 2 of the Climate Change (Interim Emissions Targets) (Wales) Regulations 2018(4) is amended as follows.

(2) In paragraph (2), for “45%” substitute “63%”.

(3) In paragraph (3), for “67%” substitute “89%”.

Lesley Griffiths

Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, one of the Welsh Ministers

17 March 2021

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations make amendments to the Climate Change (Interim Emissions Targets) (Wales) Regulations 2018, which set the interim emissions targets under Part 2 of the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 (“the Act”).

The purpose of Part 2 of the Act is to require the Welsh Ministers to meet targets for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases from Wales. Section 29 requires that the Welsh Ministers ensure that the net Welsh emissions account for the year 2050 is at least 100% lower than the baseline.

Section 30 of the Act requires that the Welsh Ministers make regulations to set interim emissions targets for the years 2020, 2030 and 2040. These targets are expressed as a percentage below the baseline.

Regulation 2 amends the Climate Change (Interim Emissions Targets) (Wales) Regulations 2018. The 2030 and 2040 targets are increased from “45%” to “63%” and “67%” to “89%”, respectively, lower than the baseline.

In accordance with section 32(1)(a) of the Act, the Welsh Ministers have satisfied themselves that the interim emissions targets are consistent with meeting the 2050 emissions target.

In accordance with section 32 of the Act, the Welsh Ministers in drafting these Regulations have had regard to the factors listed in section 32(3).

In accordance with section 49 of the Act, the Welsh Ministers have obtained and taken into account the advice of the advisory body before laying draft regulations.

The Welsh Ministers’ Code of Practice on the carrying out of Regulatory Impact Assessments was considered in relation to these Regulations. As a result a regulatory impact assessment has been prepared as to the likely costs and benefits of complying with these Regulations. A copy can be obtained from the Welsh Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ.

(1)

2016 anaw 3.

(2)

The reference in section 48(3) of the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 to the National Assembly for Wales now has effect as a reference to Senedd Cymru, by virtue of section 150A(2) of the Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32).

(3)

The Committee on Climate Change is the relevant advisory body to the Welsh Ministers by virtue of section 44(3) of the Environment (Wales) Act 2016.

(4)

S.I. 2018/1304 (W. 258).