Campaigners warn climate and nature crisis is already affecting communities and say stronger government action cannot be delayed

PEMBROKESHIRE FRIENDS OF THE EARTH has renewed calls for urgent action on climate change and nature loss following a recent film screening and discussion at the Bloomfield Centre in Narberth.

The event focused on the growing threat posed by climate change and the decline of the natural environment, with campaigners warning that the challenges facing the country are more immediate and serious than many people realise.

The film featured broadcaster and environmental campaigner Chris Packham introducing presentations from a range of experts, including climate scientists and military voices. They called on the Government to launch a national response to the climate and nature crisis, showing the same level of leadership seen during World War Two and the financial crisis.

Those involved in the campaign say the aim is to push for a much stronger national effort to reduce emissions, protect wildlife and prepare communities for the effects of a more dangerous climate.

A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire Friends of the Earth said extreme weather, including heavier rainfall, is only the beginning of what lies ahead if urgent action is not taken.

They warned that climate and nature breakdown could increasingly damage public health, food systems, infrastructure, national security and economic stability.

The group says there is strong evidence that bold action would not only cut emissions and improve resilience, but also create jobs and improve lives.

Pembrokeshire Friends of the Earth is calling for emergency legislation to speed up cuts in climate-changing emissions while investing in measures to help communities adapt.

For further information, contact Bettina Becker at Pembrokeshire Friends of the Earth on [email protected]or 01437 563657.

PLAN for a gymnasium and café occupying the majority of Pembroke Dock’s ferry terminal building have been submitted.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Lee Brookes of Westside Fitness Ltd, through agent William Beynon, seeks permission for a change of use of part of the existing ferry terminal building, Pembroke Dock to a gymnasium and café.

Details accompanying the application are currently sparse but a supporting statement dealing with a flood consequence assessment, by Francis Saint Ltd, says: “It is proposed to convert part of the existing Pembroke Dock Ferry Terminal Building (75 per cent) into a Gymnasium and café area while retaining the remainder of the building for its current use (25 per cent).”

It adds: “The building, however, lies in a Zone 3 flood area, as shown on the Flood Maps For Planning, and shown to be potentially at risk of tidal flooding during a one-in- 200-year event, with 100 years of climate change. Francis Sant were, therefore, asked to undertake a Flood Consequence Assessment to evaluate the risk. Even with 100 years of climate change the site is not at risk of flooding from a river or from surface water, during a 1 in 1000-year event.

“In addition, the site is also not expected to be at risk from reservoir failure and the risk of ground water flooding is considered to be low.”

It goes on to say: “Located within the Haven, the site is protected from the more severe wave action. In addition, the plateaux to the north of the site would provide additional protection causing the waves to break onto the plateaux before reaching the building. Any water or spray reaching the building or the surrounding area is likely to flow back into the Haven posing a minimal risk to the development.

“As the building already exists there will be no loss of flood storage capacity, even if the building was at risk of flooding, and, as a surface water drain is already in place, there will be no increase in the rainfall runoff rate.”

The application itself, along with any further documentation, will be considered by county planners at a later date.

Households and businesses could benefit from cheaper, low-carbon heating under expanded UK Government scheme

HOUSEHOLDS and businesses in Wales are set to gain access to new funding for low-carbon heat networks, in a move ministers say will help cut bills, reduce reliance on fossil fuels and support clean energy jobs.

The UK Government announced on Monday (Apr 7) that the Green Heat Network Fund is being extended to Wales. The scheme, which already supports projects in England, will now back Welsh developments aimed at providing lower-cost heating through cleaner, centralised energy systems.

Ministers said the expansion would help protect consumers from volatile fossil fuel prices, while supporting the wider push for clean, homegrown energy.

The fund forms part of a wider programme expected to invest £195m a year in heat network projects across England and Wales for the rest of the decade.

Heat networks provide heating and hot water to multiple buildings from a central source. These systems can use low-carbon sources such as heat pumps, surplus heat from factories and data centres, or even energy recovered from sewage systems.

The UK Government said the move could create hundreds of jobs in Wales, with opportunities for engineers, architects and construction workers as the sector grows.

Energy Consumers Minister Martin McCluskey said: “We are determined to fight people’s corner in this crisis, as we recognise cost-of-living concerns will be at the forefront of people’s minds.

“Welsh households and businesses will be able to benefit from low-cost, low-carbon heat networks, protecting them from volatile fossil fuel prices we don’t control.”

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said: “The expansion of UK Government funding of low-cost heat networks to Wales is good news for billpayers and is just one of a range of measures we are taking to tackle the cost of living.

“We are lowering energy bills by up to £117 for households as well as reducing our reliance on imported fossil fuel to bring down bills and put more money into people’s pockets.

“Wales will also benefit from the new jobs that will be created in our growing green energy sector.”

Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning Rebecca Evans also welcomed the announcement.

She said: “As recent events have shown, it is vital that we reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and find new ways to heat our homes and buildings in a way which supports energy security and resilience.

“I’m pleased that organisations in Wales will be able to access this funding to support the development of heat networks, ultimately benefiting from lower heating bills.”

According to the government, there are already more than 500,000 heat network customers across Britain.

The announcement also follows recent changes to consumer protection rules. Earlier this year, Ofgem became the regulator for heat networks, bringing customers in England, Scotland and Wales more into line with those on traditional gas and electricity supplies.

Under the new arrangements, Ofgem can intervene where operators raise prices unfairly or provide poor service. Customers affected by outages may also be entitled to compensation through the Energy Ombudsman.

Aaron Gould, interim chief executive of ADE: Heat Networks, said Wales had strong potential for growth in the sector.

He said: “There is enormous potential for heat networks to grow in Wales, bringing low-cost, low-carbon heat, and jobs.

“Excellent work has been done by the Welsh Government to map priority areas, and align network plans with local ambitions. The government and sector in Wales is ready for massive growth, and extending GHNF to support these communities is a key step to a cleaner future.”

One example already backed in England is a £15m heat network in Sunderland, which will recover energy from a data centre to heat buildings across the city and is expected to create almost 300 jobs and apprenticeships.