IN NEED OF A RENEWABLES REVOLUTION

Wales is home to vast natural wealth but for too long, Westminster has benefited from the exploitation and export of our resources. Plaid Cymru wants to see control over these natural resources and major energy projects devolved from Westminster to the National Assembly so that the people of Wales benefit from them.

That way, we can dramatically increase our renewable energy capacity with a focus on tidal and hydro sources, and protect our communities from damaging Westminster policies such as fracking and over-reliance on fossil fuels. Plaid would also introduce a Climate Change Act for Wales, adopting challenging but achievable greenhouse gas reduction targets for 2030 and 2050.

Plaid Cymru believes that communities should be able to benefit more from energy generation. We want to see local people owning and investing in energy projects as has happened in Scotland. We would also look into establishing local power grids and a Wales-wide national energy grid to secure energy transmission around Wales, linking north and south entry points undersea.

Some 85,000 households in Wales fell into fuel poverty between 2011-2014 bringing the total to 450,000. In such an energy-rich nation this is nothing short of a disgrace. Plaid Cymru is committed to a fairer, greener, more prosperous Wales. Our plans would see Welsh resources being put to use in a manner that benefits our communities, our environment and our economy.

EXIT STAGE LEFT PURSUED BY SUBSIDY!

A member of the Big 6

If you are searching for material to build the character of a pantomime villain then perhaps you need look no further than the members of the big six energy cartel, who are busy squeezing every ounce of profit out of their customers (most of us) when not flogging off free low energy light bulbs, etc. With that in mind the news that Centrica, who own British Gas owner reported a rise in half-yearly profits, following the unusually cold winter boosted gas consumption should come as no surprise. Centrica's adjusted operating profit increased by 9% to £ 1.58 billion pounds in the six months up to the 30th June, rising from £ 1.45 billion pounds for the same period in 2012.

Amidst the statistical wizardry and smoke and mirrors that passes for energy profit related statistics, the  residential arm (of British Gas) saw its profits rise 3% to £ 356 million pounds, up from £ 345 million pounds one year ago. Like all the other cartel members last November (2012) British Gas upped its energy prices by 6% - basically because - in their largely unregulated farce that passes itself off as the ‘free energy market’ – they could. The news of Centrica's results came a day after EDF (the French energy company) announced that its UK pre-tax profits were some of £ 903 million pounds.

Interestingly enough, just before the profits were announced, House of Commons, Energy and Climate Change Committee (ECCC) realised a report which said that Ofgem (the Energy regulator) is not doing enough to make sure that energy company profits are transparent. MPs stated that the watchdog was "failing consumers by not taking all possible steps to improve openness". The committee also noted that "working out exactly how their profits are made requires forensic accountants".

Energy Profits before People?

The ECCC believes that Ofgem should force energy companies to standardise their bills to make it easier for consumers to compare the value for money of different energy providers. They also believe that it should be possible to break down the total cost of the bill into its components, i.e. wholesale energy prices, supply costs, the cost of implementing government energy policies, operating costs, and profit. And that consumers should be given details of price changes in pounds and pence, and not just in percentages

At the same time EDF stated that it was pulling out of the US nuclear power market because of the widespread availability of shale gas. This later announcement should come as no surprise, as at the end of the day it comes down to chasing easy money (and making excessive profits) when faced with a complicated and pretty much free energy market (one literally awash with resources) the cartel members will tend to back off seeking permanent subsidies (easy money) which make farcical any suggestion that the UK energy market is neither free or open for completion.   

FOOD INSECURITY?

Before you can find the solution to a problem you first have to recognise that there is a problem – so rather than talking about ‘Food Security’ we should be talking about ‘Food Insecurity’. Some interesting research produced for Defra by consultants PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) suggests that the UK is likely to be hit by increasingly unstable food prices as the climate is disrupted. The report warns that global production of some foodstuffs is concentrated in a few countries and that these countries are likely to suffer increasing episodes of extreme weather.

Basically what it comes down to is that the effects of climate change abroad will have a far more immediate impact initially on the UK than direct climate change.  PWC has noted in its report that that while there will be some opportunities for the UK from climate change these are likely to be outweighed by resultant problems. Short term opportunities may include the export of technology and reduced shipping costs if the Arctic becomes ice-free (which if the UK retained a merchant navy might have been a real opportunity).

They note that the Arctic looks likely to be a big business opportunity; with research estimates suggesting that it is likely to attract more than £64 billion pounds of investments over the next ten years. Yet the biggest threats remain increased volatility in food prices and possible protectionist measures over food supplies being brought in e.g. India's ban on selling rice. The report warns that as the climate changes, there will be pressure for the UK to increase its aid budgets.

PWC’s report comes in the wake of a recent UK Government Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA) which has assessed domestic threats and opportunities and the Foresight study into international climate change. This was based on the UN's "medium CO2 emissions scenario" (where there will only be a 2C maximum temperature increase) which is a target that won’t be met.  Chatham House has described climate change as a multiplier of other threats.

Here in the UK we have already adjusted to the fact that food and fuel prices are already pretty volatile, we don’t like it but we have little choice but to live with it. Yet our respective governments have not adjusted to the new reality and are pretty much carrying on like pursuing the same old policies. It’s time to face up to the fact that  there will be implications at home from environmental change, including water scarcity and extreme weather elsewhere, which will affect food production and the shipment of key resources and that this is something that  looks as though it will get worse.

WILL WE BE DANCING IN THE DARK?

Despite the spin (which is clearly not working) the impression you get is that the Con Dem Coalition Government is actually quite shambolic. If you wanted a specific government department in Westminster and Whitehall to sum up the coalition then you need look no further than the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). This pretty important ministry has gone through three energy ministers in the last year, which considering this ministry allegedly looks after one of the most complex areas of legislation in Whitehall, hardly suggests any minister has had time to gain an understanding of their brief. 

This resembles little more of an expense game of musical chairs. As noted elsewhere this farce is reminiscent of Labour’s approach to the defence brief, which for those who can be asked to remember managed to feature a largely forgettable cast of nonentities, something that barely made good politics, let alone suggested that anyone had a grasp of the complexities of their ministerial brief.  Back at the DECC, the ministerial game of musical chairs had also been paralleled with a significant turnover of senior civil servants, which does not suggest that the ministry is a happy ship let alone getting on with it’s job.  

A recent report on the UK energy sector by Liberum Capital suggested that the problems at the ministry may be the least of our problems, as they suggest that current UK Energy Policy is just not plausible.  Their view is that successive UK governments have grossly underestimated the engineering, financial, and economic challenges that are posed by the drive to decarbonise the electricity sector by 2030. The necessary move from a largely fossil fuel based power system to one dominated by renewables (and if Westminster and Whitehall get their way nuclear) in about a decade and a half, while keeping the lights on and consumer bills affordable, may well be simply unattainable. 

It has been estimated that the total required investment to deliver policy goals is some £161 billion pounds from now up until 2020 and some £376 billion pounds up until 2030. Even with the large projected increase in public support (which will largely fund the nuclear programme and its subsidy) provided by the Energy Bill, Liberum Capital suggest that it is difficult to envisage that the finance will be forthcoming when the large European Utility companies are actually reducing capital expenditure. The really scary bit, other than the prospect of periodic power cuts, is that even if the investment actually happens they consumers may see electricity bills rise by at least 30% by 2020 and 100% by 2030 in real terms. 

When the energy crisis (which incidentally probably won’t happen in Scotland) arrives, considering the current level of hostility being directed at the excessive profits being generated and directed towards the members of the ‘Big 6’ energy cartel, I would not be surprised if whatever government who happens to be in power does not move towards a return to some form of public or state ownership.  When we get there may be three main casualties, firstly  the government of the day who are unlucky enough to be in power , secondly the consumers (us) who may be left literally sat in the dark and the cold and finally thirdly the large energy companies (and their shareholders). 

I have no doubt that when that when the lights begin to flicker that whoever is in government (regardless of the party label) will move rapidly to protect themselves and the electorate (who also happen to be energy consumers) by securing control of the means of energy production and distribution regardless of the consequences for the energy cartel members. The real questions that may well never be answered will be why did it take so long for the Westminster government to wake up to the consequences of not really having an energy development policy and why did they leave energy planning to a cartel that were only concerned with ramping up profits?

The lights may not go out in Scotland, where successive Scottish Governments have consistently worked to tackle the threat of Climate change and develop sustainable energy reserves. Scotland is working towards a plan for a 42% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, rising to 80% by 2050. These proposals which were first unveiled in 2009 are far more ambitious than anything that has been proposed in Westminster,  where the 2020 target (set before the Con Dems came to power) for cutting carbon emissions has been set at 34%. The Scottish Government has already set out a wide-ranging vision to address climate change, which includes a drive to boost renewable energy such as wind and wave power.

Scottish Ministers also aim to see significant progress in boosting the energy efficiency of buildings, increase the number of electric vehicles on the roads and aim to cut in emissions across the farming and rural sector. This is serious forward thinking on the part of the Scottish government as energy experts have for several years been consistently warning of a serious future shortfall in Britain's energy supplies. Control of energy policy needs to be devolved to the National Assembly and it’s time for some original non nuclear thinking and a fundamental sea change in attitude from government in Wales when it comes to energy policy. 

Imagine what we could do if our Government (in Cardiff) possessed similar powers (and the political will and imagination) to develop the alternative energy sector here in Wales as is being done in Scotland. Rather than empty platitudes we need real direction when it comes to the development of safe and secure energy resources as power generation can provide the potential for real community beneficial and sustainable long term job opportunities. The renewable energy sector should play an immensely important role in creating more green energy jobs and make sure that our lights stay on rather than end up dancing in the dark!.

OUR DAILY BREAD?

As fuel prices creep upwards, as we are waiting to get hit by price rises from the energy cartel, the next hard blow to our wallets will come in the form of rising food prices. The poor summer across the northern hemisphere (either too wet or too dry) is impacting on global food prices which have risen by 10% in the month of July, which has raised the fears of soaring prices for the planet's poorest, as noted by the World Bank.

Oxfam has noted that when extreme weather events drive local or regional price spikes, the people living in poverty face a double shock as they have to cope with higher prices, just like the rest of us. The difference between the developed and developing world is that this often comes at a time when the direct effects of extreme weather events have often already depleted their assets, destroyed their crops and stripped them of their livelihoods.

Back in 2011 the emergency in the Horn of Africa and the 2012 Sahel food crisis clearly showed how this combination can lead to hunger on a mass scale. The small-scale subsistence farmers and the pastoralists ended up getting hit hard in both regions, where the loss of livestock and crops reduced available food stocks and also reduced the value of people’s assets so that they were unable to afford to buy food

The World Bank has warned that the affects of the US heat wave and drought in parts of Eastern Europe were partly to blame for the rising food costs. Key grains such as corn, wheat and soybean saw the most dramatic price increases, something that will hit those countries that import grains particularly badly. Between June to July (2012), corn and wheat prices rose by 25% and soybean prices increased by 17%. The World Bank noted that only rice prices fell by some 4%.

In the USA, the worst (and widespread) drought for fifty years has wrought havoc on the corn and soybean crops while simultaneously in Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan, the wheat crops have been badly damaged. To make matters worse, the World Bank noted that the continued use of corn to produce ethanol biofuels (which absorbs around 40% of US corn production) played a key role in the sharp rise in the price of US maize.

While we (the food consumers) will all loses out, the impact on developing countries in North and Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East who will be the most exposed to price rises because significant quantities of their food is imported and food bills make up a large proportion of average household spending, will be harsher. .

Already maize prices had increased by 113% over the past quarter in Mozambique, and the price of sorghum had risen 220% in South Sudan. Last time this happened (back in 2008) there was widespread unrest. Other potential factors could make a potentially bad situation worse and force grain prices still higher. The World Bank is concerned about a combination of food exporters pursuing panic policies, a severe El Nino, poor Southern hemisphere harvests and strong increases in energy prices.

The World Bank's Food Price Index (which tracks the price of internationally traded food commodities) was six percent higher than in July 2011 and one percent up from the previous peak, which was back in February 2011. Why is this important? Well aside from the fact that the most vulnerable in poorer countries will lose out? While we won’t starve, in the developed world as food (and fuel) prices go up, our purchasing power goes down (and we spend less), something that will hit the wider economy.

TREASURY MESSES WITH CLEAN ENERGY

Westminster MPs on the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee may have hit the nail squarely on the head when they accused the Treasury of making the government's clean energy revolution unworkable and creating the risk of higher household bills. Rightly in my opinion they said Treasury changes to the draft Energy Bill will increase the risk of borrowing for investors.

MP’s noted that it would put up the cost of renewable and nuclear power, with customers bearing the extra cost. Somewhat naturally a Treasury spokesman said the aim was to achieve government goals while protecting businesses and consumers. The suggestion is that the Treasury has clearly intervened in the draft Energy Bill in a way that will put up bills to consumers and put off investors by increasing their risks, which just happens to be exactly opposite of what the Treasury officially says that it wants.

Chancellor George Osborne for, in his view, trying to undercut subsidies to onshore wind - potentially the cheapest option of expanding the UK's renewable energy portfolio. MPs wanted Treasury ministers to attend the Committee to answer questions about their influence on energy strategy, but they declined. On-shore wind is not the real issue, this is about Westminster and Whitehall trying to weaken the commitment to green renewable energy period - so that the nuclear option (their favourite option) becomes to only game in town.

A Treasury source stated that it would be inappropriate for ministers to be questioned at this stage in parliamentary proceedings. The committee has major worries about the finance department's impact on the draft bill, including the long-term contracts for developers who are being asked by the government to plough billions in the UK's low-carbon infrastructure.

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (Decc) originally said the government would guarantee the contracts, thereby reducing the risk for investors and allowing them to borrow large amounts at a low rate of interest, but, the Treasury has since ruled that the government will not be the guarantor.

MPs are also concerned about the ongoing consumer subsidy to renewable and nuclear power generators, which are needed for the UK to meet its legally binding targets. The Treasury says the subsidy will be limited to hold down the cost to consumers - but it won't reveal the size of the future cap.

The UK Chancellor is under pressure from right wing backbench Tory MP’s to make major cuts to the support for onshore wind, which could seriously damage the renewable energy industry. I have real and significant concerns about the impact of, the ownership of on-shore wind developments and the flawed nature of the planning process – thanks to the 50 MW rule - here in Wales.

The Con Dems and the Treasury while being more than happy to allow massive land based windfarm developments in Wales appear to be wholeheartedly indifferent when it comes to encouraging community-owned and community beneficial energy schemes. This is where a local community builds a small solar, wind, hydro etc plant in their area, and members of the community have a stake (e.g. hold shares) in it.

Such installations would earn payments from the Government's Feed-in Tariff scheme for 20 years or more, and could pay for themselves in around 10 years. This means that potentially local community share holders could be in profit after 10 years, not to mention the added benefit of reduced energy bills.

Mind from a pro-Nuclear Treasury point of view the last thing they would want are ordinary citizens, community activists, councillors, local landlords, farmers, etc reaping their own rewards from small scale energy generation projects because over the medium to longer term the big boys profits would reduce along with post civil service and post Westminster jobs for the boys and girls in Westminster and Whitehall.

THE ANTHROPOCENE EPOCH (AND SURVIVING IT)

Humans have now reached that point in our (and the planet's) history where we are shaping almost every aspect of the planet, and not always in a good way. We have done this before, but, never on an industrial scale, so we are in wholly new territory - an era that could be called the Anthropocene Epoch.  Will Steffen, who is the executive director of the Australian National University (ANU) Climate Change Institute. Prof Will Steffen, at the Sustainable Cities, Sustainable Transport forum (in March 2009), gave an interesting detailed overview of the multiple challenges we face if we are to continue to prosper on this planet, entitled Surviving the anthropocene, which is well worth listening too.

REWRITING THE PLOT?

There are over 4,000 people in Wales still waiting for allotments, this number has not dropped in the last two years. The National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners (with 5,000 members in Wales) argue that there needs to be more emphasis on providing allotments.
Now there is an old adage about thinking globally and acting locally - the issue of allotments may be one of those local actions that can have far reaching consequences. I mention this because the UK Westminster government back in January 2010 revealed it's twenty year food strategy.

None of us should take our food supply for granted - back in March 2009, Professor John Beddington (Westminster Government adviser) predicted the possibilities of a climate change-induced "perfect storm". This is where a combination of food shortages, water scarcity and insufficient energy resources combine to drop us all right in it. Now this something that's been around for a while, but, the UK Westminster mindset, so it took a while for any sort of coherent response to emerge.

On a very local level, one of the simplest ways to make very basic preparations for ourselves to deal with the consequences of potentially rocketing food and oil prices, which many scientists believe are not that far away in the near future as a result of peak oil, is for as many people as possible to grow some of their own food. There are long waiting lists for allotments in all areas of Wales. Whatever demand is there should be encouraged.

A few years ago there were moves to try to increase the amount of land available for food production, Plaid’s then Rural Affairs Minister; Elin Jones looked for ways to increase the availability of land for allotments and community gardens. The Westminster government’s somewhat
belated call for less food waste, more seasonal food and for people to buy sustainably-farmed food is to be welcomed.

While the idea of a food strategy has been welcomed, we have to be realistic, as food price problems could hit us pretty quickly and with little warning. It makes logical sense for governments to help, encourage and enable communities on as small a scale as possible to build in their own resilience and their own resources so they can cope with a potential food or fuel crisis themselves.

However, we need to go much further and faster in terms of reducing food imports and avoiding food waste. Providing land for allotments to our communities, especially as the demand for allotments continues to grow apace would help. I am well aware of as a significant number of my friends, relatives and various acquaintance’s (in Newport, Torfaen and Monmouthshire and elsewhere) all have allotments, or are trying to acquire them, so I am aware of the length of time it takes to acquire a plot.

It's not just about providing a ready source of vegetables and saving money, there are other benefits from raising and looking after your own crops as the process actually provides a degree of necessary exercise, a good excuse to get stuck in a social context. Early in 2009, Plaid AM Leanne Wood produced research which showed that some people may well have to wait for nearly nine years before they get a sniff of a plot or pitch.

What I still find amazing is that the whole business of allotments is still largely regulated by legislation from the early years of the 20th Century. The 1908 Small Holdings and Allotment Act says a council has a duty to provide land if they are satisfied there is demand and if six electors petition that council, their representations have to be taken into consideration.

There are enough examples across Wales, where groups of interested people have petitioned their local council only to be told that the council has considered their request, but there is no land available and some examples where local authorities have made land available. This if nothing else shows a complete lack of anything like a consistent approach to the provision of allotments.

Clearly our local authorities need to sort themselves out when it comes to the provision of land for allotments and help people to help themselves. The Welsh Government has included allotment provision in its legislative priorities for the next five-year assembly term and says it will set out plans to ensure minimum standard for the amount of land Welsh councils should devote to allotments. This should be a win! win! for everybody - so get it done!

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

I am no fan of globalisation, never have been, it's done (and does) damage to a whole number of our communities as unscrupulous employers chase ever greater profits by searching for cheap labour. What had not crossed my mind was that globalisation does not just effect commercial business and manufacturing industry, it affects agriculture as well. The global food production system is also at risk from globalisation (and also from an end to cheap oil). Cheap oil, which is admittedly a relative concept at the moment, makes industrial agriculture and bulk international food distribution both possible and affordable and has fueled ironically a rapid loss of genetic diversity in food plants and domesticated farm animals.

Over the last 8,000 or so years humans have been very good at breeding agricultural livestock with particularly desired traits more meat, better milk yields, sheep with hooves that are more resistant to salt water, etc.The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation has noted that the world loses one domestic agricultural breed a month and of the 7,600 breeds on the UN database of farm animal genetic resources some 20% are at risk of extinction.

The UNFAO has stated that the globalisation of the worlds livestock markets is the biggest single factor in driving the loss of diverse domesticated livestock. Western focused agriculture has long prised the production higher yields of meat, milk, eggs, etc. Outside of the areas - other traits have traditionally been more important in different parts of the world. Tough local breeds of cattle have been bred over centuries to cope with dry spells, to subsist of particular eco-systems, disease and erratic local weather conditions and periodic droughts.

Now the global trend is for Holstein-Freiesan cows which are literally becoming a global super breed. Now don't get me wrong, I don't have a word to say against Holstein-Friesan cattle agriculturally (as in many things) one size does not fit all, allowing the market to impose European style intensive agriculture and agricultural styles on areas like the Sahel (in Africa) and in Brazil or other parts of the globe does not suit particular soil types or agricultural; practices.

In the colonial period, consummate arrogance which dismissed local agricultural custom and practice as primitive and which led to the imposition of European farming methods in the eco-sensitive Sahel region of Africa led to disaster. Closer to home, the loss of domesticated plant and animal diversity within Europe as EU funded agriculture begins to impose unnecessary and or 'free market' driven changes on traditional agricultural practices in Poland and parts of Eastern Europe should be resisted and avoided at all costs.

The loss of diversity will limit our chances of breeding (by traditional methods) crops that are more tolerant to drought, heat, excessive rain and less dependent upon oil based fertilizers which pollute our water resources. We should know better, we have to make the right choices now, because unravelling the mess that industrial scale agriculture could (and probably will) create cost us dear in the future.

CHEQUE BOOK COLONIALISM?

The acquisition of land by multi nationals for development or to acquire resources at the expense of local people is bound to be a touchy subject especially when little medium to long term sustainable benefit is delivered to the indigenous inhabitants. We in Wales, ironically, should know about this having been at the sharp end ourselves when it comes to the exploration our natural resources and have been largely peripheral to any benefits received.

What's happening now in Africa is subtly different, there is a race going on between multi national companies on one hand and the emerging economic giant of the Peoples Republic of China on the other hand to acquire land, not so much for the minerals (although that is a factor) but to acquire the ability to grow food. An interesting report (produced by the Oakland Institute) has noted that Hedge funds are now getting involved in acquiring land in Africa to produce food and biofuels, which will all boost their profits.

The report notes that foreign firms and hedge funds) have been quietly purchasing large chunks of land in Africa, often without any proper contracts and that this activity has led to the displacement of millions of small farmers, who are losing out as multi national firms try to secure their hold of the global food markets. Food production is often sacrificed to make space for cash crops for export, including flowers and biofuels, which fetch a tidy profit.

Since 2009 foreign firms the report notes that have acquired land equivalent to the size of France (nearly 60 million hectares) from questionable but lucrative deals with a combination of gullible traditional leaders or corrupt government officials in in Ethiopia, Tanzania, South Sudan, Sierra Leone, Mali and Mozambique. No doubt the foreign firms make many promises of progress, development and jobs to local chiefs, but they don't necessarily come close to delivering on the promises.

Investors benefit with a wide range of incentives written into their contracts from unlimited water rights to tax waivers, but, are clearly not there to help feed starving Africans. Sounds familiar doesn't it - not that much of step from the old days of the WDA throwing wads of cash of foreign investors, who got all sorts of benefits (grants and incentives), promised much (I seem to recall the magic figure of 6,000 jobs kept cropping up in the 1980's, 1990s and early 2000's) yet in the end never quite delivered all that was promised.

As we stand on the brink of what has been aptly described as the Age of Scarcity - a combination of peak oil, climate change and financial instability not to mention food security and fuel security, we should all take note of this developments in Africa and look closer to home when it comes to the development of secure energy and food supplies and particularly take note of the issue of ownership.

TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN

Oxfam got the publicity (with there report Growing a Better Future) which predicts that the prices of staple foods will more than double in 20 years unless world leaders take action to reform the global food system. By 2030, the average cost of key crops will increase by between 120% and 180%, the charity forecast with half of that increase being caused by climate change. Oxfam got the publicity but the World Bank flagged up the link between poverty and food prices back in April.

They noted that world food prices are 36% above levels of a year ago, made worse by problems in the Middle East and North Africa, and remain volatile, so said the World Bank. Rising food prices have pushed, it noted, 44 million people into poverty since last June (2010) and that a further 10% rise in food prices would push 10 million more people below the extreme poverty line of $1.25 (76p) a day. The World Bank says prices of basic commodities remain close to their 2008 peak, with the prices of wheat, maize and soya all rocketing. The only exception is rice, which has fallen slightly in price in the past year.

Food price changes (First Quarter 2010 to First Quarter 2011)

Maize 74%

Wheat 69%

Palm oil 55%

Soybeans 36%

Beef 30%

Rice -2%

Source: World Bank Development Prospects Group

The bank suggests a number of measures to help alleviate the impact of high food prices on the poor, including encouraging food-producing countries to ease export controls, and the diversion of production away from biofuels when food prices exceed certain limits.The World Bank has also suggested targeting social assistance and nutritional programmes to the poorest, better weather forecasting, more investments in agriculture, the adoption of new technologies (including rice fortification to make it more nutritious), and efforts to address climate change.

The fact that both the World Bank and Oxfam recognise that financial measures are needed to prevent poor countries being subject to food price volatility, is of significance, as it reveals the possibility of a perfect storm (a combination of peak oil and climate change). If that's not enough to worry about factor in increasing fuel prices (one of the consequences of Peak Oil) that will hit poor farmers first and hardest before it really hits the rest of us, just like climate change will.

PLAID'S VISION FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT

While the Welsh Assembly government has committed Wales to annual carbon reduction-equivalent emissions of 3% per year by 2011 in areas of devolved competence, Plaid has recognised that climate change is more severe than previously realised. The National Assembly agreed, with cross-party support, to reduce emissions by 40% below 1990 levels by 2020 - this is an important necessary step forward.

Plaid will work to ensure that this decision is turned into meaningful and effective action to achieve the full reduction, and calls on Westminster to follow Wales' lead. Yet, if we are going to achieve this sort of massive reduction, then we must ensure that Wales is able to decide our own energy priorities. Plaid Cymru demands the full devolution of all powers over energy policy to the National Assembly.

Wales can be self-sustaining in energy generation by 2020 and we must take full advantage of our renewable energy resources and support micro generation and other small-scale sustainable power generation schemes, including tidal, wave-power, on-shore and off-shore wind, hydro and biomass.

We are completely opposed to decisions on large energy projects being taken outside Wales by the new Infrastructure Planning Unit. NB - Decisions will now be taken through a new unit formed within the Planning Inspectorate with the final decision on projects being made by Westminster Ministers.

Any future energy projects in Wales should be decided democratically, and by a body which is accountable to the people of Wales. Plaid welcomed the decision to scrap the Severn Barrage Cardiff-Weston project, as we have always believed that, instead, a combination of lagoons and tidal-stream turbines would minimise environmental damage while maximising zero-carbon electricity generation at a cost affordable to consumers.

Plaid has called for emission performance standards for all new power stations and we reaffirm our opposition to the construction of any new nuclear power stations in Wales. We call for research into the creation of a European Smart Power Grid for the sharing of renewable energies across Europe. We all have a responsibility to improve energy efficiency within our homes and to use more renewable energy.

Lets not forget that the old New Labour Government in Westminster made sure that control over water and large energy projects was specifically kept under the control of Westminster. And this situation has continued under the current Conservative–Liberal Democrat Government. Plaid seek to control of our own natural resources. If it's good enough for Scotland, then it's more than good enough for Wales.

The Westminster-based parties are sending a very clear message in the coming election that they clearly don’t believe the people of Wales are capable of taking control over our own natural resources. So the clear message of this election is that - if you vote Plaid, we will demand responsibility over our nation's natural resources in order to ensure our nation can take full advantage of our wind, water, land and sea.


We not only need to take action in response to climate change but also need to tackle fuel poverty so that everybody can afford to keep warm in their homes. Despite the action taken by Plaid in government, the problem is rising sharply with a quarter of all households in Wales are experiencing fuel poverty. Plaid will continue to campaign for a windfall tax on energy companies to help pay for grants for insulation for lower income families in Westminster.

We will also work to ensure that the new feed-in tariffs encourage community-scale community beneficial renewable energy projects. We will continue to oppose the use of waste incinerators and support binding targets for waste prevention.

Plaid supports recycling targets of 80% of domestic waste by 2020 and the introduction of a higher landfill tax. And Plaid will continue to campaign for changes in public procurement legislation so that Local Authorities can favour materials from recycled and local sources, something that benefits the environment and delivers local jobs. So to start the ball rolling make sure you vote Plaid twice on Thursday 5th May!

GOOD NEWS AND NOT SO GOOD NEWS

The good news is that Greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland have dropped by 21% since 1990, according to Scottish government statistics. The newly released figures for 2008 reveal that Scotland's emissions fell by more than a fifth when taking emissions trading within the EU into account. Now, the not so good news, despite this recorded drop, emissions from transport - which excluded international aviation and shipping - rose by 7%. The Scottish Government said that Scotland was now half way towards its goal of reducing emissions by 42% by 2020.

Back in June 2009, the Scottish Parliament passed important Landmark legislation to help Scotland tackle the threat of climate change. Interestingly enough the legislation was passed unanimously by MSPs. Scottish Minsters set themselves tough targets, aiming for a 42% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, which will rise to 80% by 2050.

The Scottish plan is certainly more ambitious than anything that has emerged from any recent Westminster proposals. Aside from meeting carbon targets, the legislation also aimed to boost renewable energy and drive forward an improvement in energy efficiency. What's also worth noting is that there was a pretty unanimous consent for this legislation, which cleared the last parliamentary hurdle , after Scottish ministers raised their original 2020 target from 34% to 40%. Oh for intelligent debate and legislative powers...

POWER FOR THE PEOPLE

Our country is pretty well off when it comes to natural renewable resources for energy production, I am glad to see that we are finally beginning to follow Scotland's example of harnessing the potential of renewable energy. A generation scheme off Ynys Mon , promoted by Marine Current Turbines and RWE npower renewables plans to generate a fifth of the island's electricity needs from the £70m project, with seven turbines between the Skerries and Carmel Head acting as underwater windmills, if the plans are approved. 

There are other potential spots where we can generate sustainable energy not to mention the readily exportable skills and technologies that can help to sustain and develop our economy over the next decades and help to tackle Climate Change. Here in Wales, when it comes to power generation there are real job opportunities; there is absolutely no reason why the renewable energy sector can not play an immensely important role in creating more green energy jobs not to mention sustainable secure and safe energy supplies.

There is a need to create a decentralised power generation system which will create sustainable long-term jobs for local people, not damage the environment and contribute to providing our local communities with a long-term viable economic energy future. Sadly I suspect that there will be little new from David Cameron's Con Dem's over the next few years - if the coalition lasts that long - and even less leadership on the green energy issue. It need not be this way, away from the Westminster village and the dead hand of Whitehall, things are already happening.

In Scotland, the Scottish Government has plans to tackle the threat of Climate change, with plans for a 42% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, rising to 80% by 2050. These proposals which were first unveiled last year are far more ambitious than anything that has been proposed in Westminster in recent years, where the 2020 target (set before the Con Dems came to power) for cutting carbon emissions has been set at 34%. The Scottish Government has already set out a wide-ranging vision to address climate change, which includes a drive to boost renewable energy such as wind and wave power.

Scottish Ministers also aim to see significant progress in boosting the energy efficiency of buildings, increase the number of electric vehicles on the roads and aim to cut in emissions across the farming and rural sector. This is serious forward thinking on the part of the Scottish government as energy experts have for several years been consistently warning of a serious future shortfall in Britain's energy supplies.

This will be as a result of the rapid depletion of Britain's North Sea gas reserves, the increasingly tough regulations on carbon emissions from Britain's ageing coal-fired power plants and the planned decommissioning of 14 of 15 existing nuclear generating stations by 2025.

Now is definitely the time for control of energy policy to be devolved to the National Assembly and time for some original non nuclear thinking and a fundamental sea change in attitude from government in Wales when it comes to energy policy. Imagine what we could do if the National Assembly possessed similar powers to develop the alternative energy sector here in Wales as in Scotland.

In Wales, we need real direction when it comes to the development of safe and secure energy resources, power generation can provide the potential for real sustainable long term job opportunities; the renewable energy sector can and should play an immensely important role in creating more green energy jobs.

GOING LOCAL

The good news for both farmers, suppliers and consumers is that the amount of Welsh-produced food bought by public sector bodies across Wales has risen over the last few years. A survey commissioned by the National Assembly Government has reported that almost half of all food and drink bought by schools, hospitals and local authorities in Wales is now of Welsh origin, while the amount of locally-produced food bought by the public sector has risen by 65.8% in the last six years.

The 2010 Welsh Public Sector Food Purchasing survey reveals that Local authorities have increased their purchases of local food by 90.5% over the last six years. Key categories include bread, milk, fruit and vegetables, ready meals, soft drinks, dairy products and water. The NHS (in Wales)  purchases 69% of the food and drink products in Wales, when it comes to milk on average, 50.9% of all the milk purchased by Welsh local authorities for schools is locally-produced. 

When it comes to Welsh purchases in higher education, accounted for 41.3% in 2009, compared with 28.7% in 2003, in the field of further education some,e 39.6% of purchases were of Welsh origin, up from a previous figure of 16.8%. The survey reveals that the only organisations to have bought less Welsh food than previously were the MoD and the Welsh Police Forces, which saw a 0.4% decrease in Welsh origin purchases.

One of the priorities of the Welsh Assembly Government, that was set out in One Wales was a Local Sourcing Action Plan, to encourage local procurement of food and drink by the public sector. The plan to encourage more local purchasing which will leads to money being reinvested in local communities and local businesses. This also leads to a reduction in food miles, reduces carbon emissions which helps to fight climate change. 

The Plaid driven One Wales government strategy has begun a process that should lead to real social, economic and environmental benefits for our communities beginning the process by keeping the money spent in the local economy. This commitment to sustainable development is a good example of how local investment can provide a range of benefits across the whole of Wales benefiting local farmers, local suppliers and producers and local people.

VSO HUSTINGS

The Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) Hustings in Abergavenny last night was packed out, with literally standing room only, with the candidates from the 4 main parties being present. Naturally everyone present agreed that the UK Government should honour the commitment to delivering 0.7% of GDP as international aid - but in truth recession not withstanding this is not enough.

Plaid has long supported the campaign to cancel developing countries unaffordable debts and has called for more resources to be made available for the UN Adaption Fund which has been set up to help developing countries adapt to the effects of climate change. Plaid has demanded equal representation for developing countries in the decision making process on climate change action and has long supported the international Fair Trade movement.  

As you would expect Fair Trade, Fairness, Equality, Climate Change and Peak oil came up amongst other topics for discussion. VSO, OXFAM and other development agencies have specific programmes that aim to help poor men and women in the developing countries when it comes to health care, growing crops, access to literacy and to affordable credit. As poor education, poor health and lack of access to credit and markets has hit vulnerable groups in developing countries particularly hard. 

The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, came in for some criticism - Plaid has long called for essential governance reform such international organisations so that they take into account human rights, the environment and workers rights.  The role of multi-nationals was also discussed along with their impact on the developing world along with how better use of procurement policies here in the UK could benefit both us and food producers, here and in developing countries.  

TRELLECH HUSTINGS

The first Hustings of the final stages of this Westminster campaign took place last night in Trellech - very well organised (by the Trellech Big Issues Forum, well chaired and well attended (and well lit by Mon TV's TV lights). With six candidates who covered a wide range of topics from the economic crisis through Development Aid and Climate Change / Global Warming and Votes for 16 year old's and much else along the way.

My Conservative opponent (aside from being blinded by the light (just like the rest of us to varying degrees) made much of his opposition to extending the franchise to 16 years old's - I suspect much of what he said, was also said about extending the franchise to women, about abolishing the business vote and extending the franchise to those under 21. One thing to remember is that at 16 you will (if you have a job) pay tax, so where's the representation?

And a final thought, have the Conservatives ever been in favour (as opposed to being against things) of anything?

THE PLOT

Last week the UK Westminster government announced (on Wednesday 6^th January 2010) it's twenty year food strategy. After much beating about the bush, there has finally been some recognition, however, belated, that the UK should not take its food supply for granted. It was back in March 2009, when Westminster Government adviser Professor John Beddington predicted the possibilities of a climate change-induced "perfect storm" of food shortages, water scarcity and insufficient energy resources, we have been waiting to hear how the UK Government planned to respond.

On a very local level, one of the simplest ways to make very basic preparations for ourselves to deal with the consequences of potentially rocketing food and oil prices, which many scientists believe are not that far away in the near future as a result of peak oil, is for as many people as possible to grow some of their own food. There are long waiting lists for allotments in all areas of Wales. Whatever demand is there should be encouraged.

There are moves afoot to try to increase the amount of land that’s available for food production, certainly Plaid’s Rural Affairs Minister in Wales; Elin Jones is looking for ways to increase the availability of land for allotments and community gardens. The Westminster government’s call for less food waste, more seasonal food and for people to buy sustainably-farmed food is to be welcomed.

The idea of a food strategy is most welcome, but we have to be realistic, as food price problems could hit us pretty quickly and without warning, so it makes sense for governments to help, encourage and enable communities on as small a scale as possible to build up their own resilience and resources so they can cope with a potential food or fuel crisis.

We need to go much further and faster in terms of reducing food imports and tackling a wasteful food/supermarket culture.One way to help would be to help our communities with the provision of land for allotments, as across Wales, the demand for allotments continues to grow apace, this by a strange twist of fate is something I am quite aware of as a significant number of my friends and various acquaintance’s (in Newport, Torfaen and Monmouthshire) all have allotments, or are trying to acquire them, so I am aware of the difficulties faced (particularly the length of time it takes) when it comes to acquiring a plot.

Apart from providing a ready source of vegetables and saving money, raising and looking after your own crops actually provides a degree of necessary exercise and is a good excuse to get stuck in. Now at the beginning of 2009, Plaid AM Leanne Wood produced research which showed that there were some 2,500 people on waiting lists for an allotment in Wales and that some people may well have to wait for nearly nine years before they get a sniff of a plot or pitch.

What's really quite amazing is that the whole business of allotments is still largely regulated by legislation from the early years of the 20th Century. The 1908 Small Holdings and Allotment Act says a council has a duty to provide land if they are satisfied there is demand and if six electors petition that council, their representations have to be taken into consideration.

There are enough examples across Wales, where groups of interested people have petitioned their local council only to be told that the council has considered their request, but there is no land available. Clearly our local authorities need to sort themselves out when it comes to the provision of land for allotments and help people to help themselves.

HOW TO AVOID BEING SAT IN THE DARK

The Scottish Government is to produce new legislation to tackle the threat of Climate change, a target for a 42% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 (if other European Governments agree to a cut of 30%), rising to 80% by 2050, is expected to be included in the new Bill. These proposals are far more ambitious than those proposed in Westminster, where the 2020 target for cutting carbon emissions has been set at 34%.

The Scottish Government has already set out a wide-ranging vision to address climate change, which includes a drive to boost renewable energy such as wind and wave power. Scottish Ministers also aim to see significant progress in boosting the energy efficiency of buildings, increase the number of electric vehicles on the roads and aim to cut in emissions across the farming and rural sector.

This is serious forward thinking on the part of the Scottish government as energy experts have for several years been consistently warning of a serious future shortfall in Britain’s energy supplies, as a result of the rapid depletion of Britain’s North Sea gas reserves, the increasingly tough regulations on carbon emissions from Britain’s ageing coal-fired power plants and the planned decommissioning of 14 of 15 existing nuclear generating stations by 2025.

Imagine what we could do if the National Assembly possessed similar powers to develop the alternative energy sector here in Wales. In Wales, we need real direction when it comes to the development of safe and secure energy resources, power generation can provide the potential for real sustainable long term job opportunities; the renewable energy sector can and should play an immensely important role in creating more green energy jobs.

Beyond this there is a need to unify the power generation and supply companies into a single entity, preferably run on a not for profit basis, in the interests of the inhabitants of the UK rather than big businesses. It is becoming increasingly clear that it was sheer irresponsibility or a matter of sheer self-interest (it's worth having a look to see who (Conservative Minster wise) got what directorships after privatisation) for successive Government to leave the energy sector largely and effectively unregulated as the private energy companies have proved themselves almost entirely incapable of making long term strategic decisions that are necessary to provide us with safe and secure energy.