Senedd Cymru | Welsh Parliament
Pwyllgor Newid Hinsawdd, yr Amgylchedd a Seilwaith | Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee
Datgarboneiddio'r sector cyhoeddus | Decarbonising the public sector
Ymateb gan Sara MacBride-Stewart, Darllenydd ym maes Iechyd, Meddygaeth a Chymdeithas, Prifysgol Caerdydd | Evidence from Sara MacBride-Stewart, Reader in Health, Medicine and Society, Cardiff University
The headline calls are a good start. However the transition to Net Zero as it stands includes creating new inequalities, in work, geographically and for specific groups (protected characteristics but also intersectionally). A sixth integrative action is needed that calls for a Just Transition mainstreamed into all other approaches.
The public sector needs support and resources to achieve this. Proper resources need to be allocated to public bodies that are already leading the way in innovations and local partnerships i.e National Parks and these leaders should be resourced to continue their work as well as be able to share skills experience and knowledge with other public bodies in a horizontal strategy. Rural areas must be included as part of the public body strategy, and Net Zero needs to take a landscape rather than an industry or public authority area approach. Welsh NHS strategy for Net Zero should be integrated into the rest of the route map for public bodies to follow the core principles of the WFG (Wales) Act as one that integrates the activities and future directions of public bodies
Not equipped to respond to this; although transport planning needs to involve communication and co-messaging with local communities, so that change becomes a process that all sectors are involved in, avoiding top-down implementation only.
Not equipped to respond to this
A team of academics at Cardiff University have been working with Welsh Govt and Equality Organisations on a report on Mainstreaming Equality in the Net Zero Skills Plan. Working in this collaborative way for innovative and just policy making, the group has agreed 5 objectives for Net Zero.
Objective 1) A ‘Climate Literacy’ approach that focuses on principles of citizen-led co-learning that transforms knowledge, decision-making, and leadership
Objective 2) Fair work principles enacted in the National Climate Programme, including gender balance and diversity
Objective 3) Fair work and inclusive education, training and workplace cultures
Objective 4) A proactive and inclusive approach to retaining and retraining the workforce through industrial change
Objective 5) Involve a diverse care sector (informal/formal care; regions) in decision-making roles that contribute to leadership on how health and social care can focus on Net Zero jobs/skills
To comment briefly on climate literacy and care, which emerge as a new exciting direction for Net Zero, and is strongly emphasised by equality organisations. Care is included because is aligns with future trends on an aging and more chronically ill population, and the current Wales NHS strategies for more localised provision. Including care in Net Zero widens and diversifies the scope of workers participating, In Net Zero and gives value to the size and importance of the care sector in Wales. Literacy is included because equality organisations brought the voice of marginalised communities who bear the greatest burden for climate change in Wales. Literacy is about having joint shared communication, a common goal and opportunities for dialogue or a National conversation across all communities in Wales. It was strongly supported by equality organisations as a fundamental need for Net Zero success (NB commoning is a key principle of the Bruntland definition of Sustainable Development that was embedded in the WFG (Wales) Act)