Help to fight climate change

Apr 15 2008 by Jane Davidson, Western Mail

CLIMATE change is one of the greatest challenges we face today. I’m sure you are aware of the steps we can all take as individuals to play our part in reducing our carbon footprint, such as using energy more efficiently and by recycling and composting household waste.

But have you thought how much more we could achieve by working together in our communities?

This is an area where rural groups and organisations can help to make a real difference to their carbon footprint and potentially reap economic and social benefits.

I have met a number of community and voluntary groups from across Wales recently who have been keen to share their exciting ideas on working together to develop renewable energy, recycling and other projects to reduce their communities’ carbon footprint.

Many of these groups are from rural areas, where communities have been making the most of natural resources to provide energy for their villages.

As well as benefiting the environment these projects can also contribute towards creating a sustainable future for their communities, and help boost the local economy.

During a visit to Bancyfelin village hall I saw how they had installed solar panels to provide hot water. They are one of 30 halls from across Carmarthenshire to benefit from the Carmarthenshire Energy Agency’s Community Solar Project.

And recently I saw how residents of Talybont on Usk in Powys had developed a water turbine to produce electricity which is sold to a public electricity supplier through the National Grid.

The turbine uses an existing dam, which was originally built in the 1930s to provide water for Newport. The Talybont Project was funded by £90,000 in grants and is expected to bring in £17,000 a year which will be spent on more energy projects in the village.

As well as helping to tackle climate change, renewable energy generation can also lead to wider community benefits and investment, and improve the lives of residents.

Energy production is just one way rural communities can play their part and there are a host of other more simple and innovative ways that everyone can contribute.

So together with Cynnal Cymru we have produced a DVD to show the variety of ways people have been getting together to pool their experience, expertise and enthusiasm to help make a difference and enhance the places they live in.

It could be as simple as the National Federation of Women’s Institute challenging their members and their wider communities to reduce their individual carbon footprint by 20%; or the community-developed cycle path from Ynysybwl to Cilfynydd; or the market and allotment scheme to encourage people to produce and buy locally sourced food; or the community-owned wind turbine in Machynlleth.

I believe that individuals and communities hold the key to finding radical new solutions to dealing with the effects of climate change. The work done by communities will be crucial in helping us meet the Assembly Government’s One Wales commitment of a 3% reduction in carbon emissions per year by 2011.

The Assembly Government is committed to supporting communities who want to make a difference.

Through the Environment Wales Grant Scheme, for instance, we support a number of community-based projects aimed at tackling climate change.

Since becoming Minister, I have taken a number of steps to support community action including appointing six Climate Change Champions who are raising awareness about climate change at a local level, as well as developing communication resources targeted specifically at community activity.

The Assembly Government is also amending its national Planning Policy to make it easier for communities to take action on tackling climate change.

As Minister, one of the great pleasures has been to find that I meet people who inspire me in believing that we can tackle this issue – and we can do it best by working together.

We are holding another event on Saturday, April 19 at the Ivy Bush Royal Hotel in Carmarthen for individuals and groups to come together, share ideas and find out how they can start their own projects. Why not come and join us?

To see the DVD film or get more information about the Climate Change Community event in Carmarthen on April 19, visit http://www.wales.gov.uk/climatechange

Jane Davidson is the Welsh Assembly Government’s Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing