Clean energy spend should cut bills first – green expert – BBC

Report on Wales’ Clean Energy Transition and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Introduction: Workforce Development and Economic Growth

A strategic initiative is underway in Wales to foster a skilled workforce for the clean energy sector, directly addressing several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This report outlines the program, stakeholder perspectives, and its implications for sustainable development.

• Pembrokeshire College is launching a pilot scheme to train an initial 200 students in trades essential for the green transition, including plumbing and engineering.
• This program is a foundational step towards a broader ministerial goal of creating 15,000 new jobs in Wales, contributing to SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.
• By equipping young people with skills for future industries, the initiative directly supports SDG 4: Quality Education, ensuring inclusive and equitable education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities.

2.0 Strategic Priorities in Achieving Energy and Climate Goals

A debate has emerged regarding the most effective investment strategy for achieving a sustainable energy future, highlighting different approaches to meeting SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

2.1 Competing Investment Strategies

1. Housing Insulation and Fuel Poverty Alleviation: David Clubb, a senior Welsh government advisor, advocates for prioritizing a national home insulation program. This strategy targets:
   • SDG 1 (No Poverty): By addressing the high rates of fuel poverty in Wales, which has some of the oldest housing stock in Western Europe.
   • SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): By reducing energy demand and making heating more affordable for the public.
   • SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): By improving the energy efficiency and sustainability of existing housing infrastructure.
2. Large-Scale Technology Investment: The UK government’s plan to invest £20 billion in carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology is viewed with skepticism by some experts. Mr. Clubb notes that this is an “unproven technology” that may not significantly contribute to the net-zero by 2050 target, representing a potential misallocation of resources that could be used for more immediate climate and social interventions.

3.0 Governance, Ownership, and Community Benefit

A key concern raised by the National Infrastructure Commission for Wales is the ownership structure of new green energy projects, which has significant implications for equitable development.

3.1 Enhancing Local Stakeholder Participation

• A majority of current renewable energy projects in Wales are owned by entities outside the country, limiting the direct economic benefits retained within local communities.
• There is a call for a new renewable energy bill to facilitate local ownership, allowing organisations and individuals to buy into projects. This aligns with SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by ensuring a more equitable distribution of the economic benefits derived from local natural resources.
• Promoting community-owned energy schemes is crucial for advancing SDG 7, not just in terms of clean energy generation but also in ensuring its affordability and local acceptance.

4.0 Political and Economic Considerations

The transition to clean energy is subject to diverse political and economic viewpoints, reflecting the complex balance required to achieve sustainable development.

4.1 Stakeholder Perspectives

• Welsh Government: Views the creation of clean energy jobs as central to its vision for Wales, emphasizing the importance of improving energy security and addressing climate change challenges in line with SDG 7 and SDG 13.
• Conservative Opposition: While welcoming new job creation, raises concerns about rising energy bills for consumers and the “alienation” of traditional oil and gas industries, questioning whether current policies are fulfilling the affordability aspect of SDG 7.
• Student Aspirations: Young trainees like Theo and Bethany express optimism about the financial opportunities and the chance to be part of a significant technological and environmental shift, reflecting a generational commitment to achieving the goals of SDG 8 and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The article highlights Pembrokeshire College’s plan to train 200 new students in trades like plumbing and engineering. This initiative is a direct response to the need for skilled workers in the clean energy sector, aligning with the goal of providing relevant vocational training.
2. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • The core theme of the article is the transition to clean energy in Wales. It discusses investments in renewable energy, the debate over carbon capture technology, and the goal of reducing dependence on imported energy. It also addresses the affordability of energy, mentioning high energy bills, fuel poverty, and pledges to bring down costs for the public.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The transition to clean energy is presented as a major source of economic growth and job creation. The article explicitly states that ministers hope to create 15,000 new jobs in Wales through this transition, and it features students who are preparing to enter this new “green jobs” market.
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The article points out that Wales has the “oldest housing stock in western Europe,” which contributes to fuel poverty. The proposal to focus on a “programme of insulation” to make homes warmer and easier to heat directly relates to improving the quality and sustainability of housing.
5. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The entire discussion is framed within the context of climate change mitigation. The article mentions the ambition for “net zero by 2050” and the need to “address climate change challenges” by accelerating the use of renewable energy and decarbonizing industries.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 4.4: Increase the number of youth and adults with relevant skills for employment
   • This target is directly addressed by the pilot scheme at Pembrokeshire College, which aims to “develop skilled workers needed in the transition to clean energy” by training 200 students in technical trades.
2. Target 7.1: Ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services
   • The article’s focus on high energy bills, the problem of “fuel poverty,” and the political pledge to “reduce energy bills” all point to the challenge of ensuring energy is affordable for everyone.
3. Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy
   • The Welsh government’s vision to “accelerate our renewable energy contribution” and the debate around investments in clean energy technologies like carbon capture directly relate to increasing the share of renewables in the energy mix.
4. Target 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
   • The recommendation by David Clubb to prioritize a “programme of insulation” for Wales’ old housing stock is a clear strategy to improve energy efficiency, making homes “warmer and easier to heat.”
5. Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all
   • The plan to create “15,000 new jobs” in the clean energy sector in Wales is a direct effort to boost employment, particularly for young people like the 17-year-old students featured in the article.
6. Target 11.1: Ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing
   • The article’s description of Wales’ “oldest housing stock” leaving many in fuel poverty implies a need to upgrade housing to make it adequate and affordable in terms of energy costs. The proposed insulation program is a measure to achieve this.
7. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning
   • The article discusses national-level strategies, such as achieving “net zero by 2050” and deploying “carbon capture and storage… to support industry to decarbonise,” which are examples of integrating climate action into policy.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Number of people trained in vocational skills
   • The article explicitly states that Pembrokeshire College aims to start training “200 new students” in the coming months. This number serves as a direct indicator for progress on Target 4.4.
2. Number of new jobs created in the green economy
   • The article mentions the government’s hope that “15,000 new jobs” will be created in Wales. This figure is a key performance indicator for Target 8.5.
3. Level of investment in clean energy technology
   • The mention of a “£20 billion investment in carbon capture and storage” is a financial indicator related to Target 7.2, showing the scale of capital being directed towards clean energy infrastructure.
4. Household energy bill costs
   • The article references the political debate around energy bills, noting they are “nearly £200 more expensive” and mentioning a past “promise of cutting £300 off energy bills.” The cost of energy bills is a direct indicator of energy affordability under Target 7.1.
5. Proportion of energy-efficient homes
   • While not giving a specific number, the article implies this indicator by highlighting Wales’ “oldest housing stock” and the need for an insulation program. Progress would be measured by the number or percentage of homes insulated, tracking improvement towards Target 7.3 and 11.1.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: bbc.com