Welsh finance minister Rebecca Evans has said tackling the climate and nature emergency is the “overarching ambition” of Wales’ new Infrastructure Investment Strategy which is set to be underpinned by investment of more than £8.1bn over the next three years.
It comes ahead of a debate on the draft budget later today in the Senedd.
Rebecca Evans, Minister for Finance and Local Government, said: “Our budget set the foundations to strengthen public services, tackle the climate and nature emergency, and support a zero carbon economy. Investment in the right infrastructure, in the right places, will be vital in achieving this.
“Investment will differ from sector to sector and from programme to programme, but we will look to position all future investments so they play their part in helping Wales reach net zero. All areas of spend will consider environmental outcomes, even those which may have a different primary focus.
“The overarching ambition of our investment will be to tackle the climate and nature emergency. It will be to ensure we have the infrastructure in place to support the Wales we want to hand on to future generations – a stronger, fairer, greener Wales.”
Between now and 2025 £770m will support public transport – with a £585m investment in rail and a £185m investment in bus travel. This will provide newer and greener rolling stock, continue development of the Core Valley Lines, and support integrated transport through Metro schemes.
Our budget set the foundations to strengthen public services, tackle the climate and nature emergency, and support a zero carbon economy. Investment in the right infrastructure, in the right places, will be vital in achieving this
The strategy will also seek to support the creation of a National Forest, and improve access to landscapes and outdoor recreation through investment in designated landscapes and the development of the Wales Coast Path, National Trails and Public Rights of Way network. In total more than £153m will be spent to support Wales’ nature and environment.
The effects of climate change are also being guarded against with investment of more than £100m on flood defences, the Welsh government says.
More than 45,000 homes are set benefit from additional flood protection measures in this Senedd term, and more than 17,400 homes around the Welsh coastline will see reduced risk through the Coastal Risk Management Programme.
Lee Waters, Deputy Minister for Climate Change, commented: “By investing in infrastructure we’ll open up greener forms of transport to more people, providing more choice in how we’re all able to get around.
“And infrastructure is about more than our built environments; we’re dedicating significant funding to enhance Wales’ natural spaces, including through the National Forest. We want to encourage people’s connection to nature and through it support their wellbeing.
“This is another step in the right direction, and we know we need to do more in the next ten years than we’ve done in the last thirty if we’re to reach our Net Zero target by 2050.”