What assessment has the Welsh Government made of its progress towards reaching net zero by 2050?
The Environment (Wales) Act sets out our statutory emissions reduction framework including a net zero target for the year 2050, a series of interim targets (2020, 2030 and 2040) and five yearly carbon budgets. The Act requires us to report progress against these emission reduction targets and carbon budgets.
The latest data, published in 2021, covers the period to 2019. It shows we have maintained our progress towards our 2020 target, estimating emissions within the scope of the Act totalled 39 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent, a fall of 31% compared to base year emissions.
We will publish the statement for our first carbon budget and our 2020 interim target by the end of 2022, which will include supporting indicators.
Additionally, within the Well-being of Wales Report framework we measure greenhouse gas emissions annually (indicator #41) and independent annual progress reports are also provided by the Climate Change Committee.