Two years too late but Assembly Government finally sees benefit of green jobs - Bates (Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats)

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Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats <montlibdems@gmail.com>

Two years too late but Assembly Government finally sees benefit of green jobs - Bates

December 2, 2008 12:00 AM

Speaking ahead of the Green Jobs strategy debate, Mick Bates, Welsh Lib Dem spokesperson for Sustainability, expressed his relief that the Assembly Government has finally taken action to address the need to create more green and sustainable jobs for Wales and reduce our huge ecological footprint.

In March 2006, the Welsh Liberal Democrats first proposed putting green jobs at the heart of the economic agenda, on the grounds that this would give Wales an economic boost by carving out a niche and becoming a global leader in the field.

Mick Bates said:

"When the Welsh Lib Dems proposed incorporating a strategy for green jobs into economic plans two years ago, we were met by a Government not keen on green jobs. They said that at the time green jobs were not needed, and yet, two years later in the midst of an economic crisis, we have a u-turn in the Assembly Government's policies.

"Labour only seems to know how to react to situations, rather than act and prepare for the future of Wales. It took a global financial meltdown to get Labour to realise the potential of green jobs. Although they have finally acknowledged the potential of green jobs, we have lost two valuable years that we could have spent investing in the sector.

"Globally, the green jobs sector, by the Government's own estimates, not only has the potential to reach a profit of €2,200 billion by 2020, but also has the ability to reduce Wales's impact on the environment.

"Through the promotion of the environmental goods and services sector, I want Wales to become a world leader in demonstrating that a more ecologically friendly way of life is possible.

"The green job sector is one that holds great potential for the future of Wales, and we are satisfied that people have finally come round to the ideas that we have been touting for years."

End/Diwedd