Business

Consumers in Wales ‘willing to pay the price’ to help tackle climate change

Published

3 years ago

June 14, 2022

THE MAJORITY of people in Wales are still committed to tackling the climate crisis despite rising energy prices and severe cost of living pressures, according to new research by The Co-operative Bank.

The survey showed that 67 per cent of adults in Wales believe it is still important to invest in green energy solutions to tackle climate change even if the Green Levy adds to the cost of household energy bills. This is the majority sentiment across all income levels, including those on lower incomes, showing that environmentally conscious consumers are prepared to pay the price to help tackle the climate emergency.

Climate change also topped the rankings as the most urgent social and environmental issue across the UK, coming above other issues including poverty and food insecurity. The survey found 45 per cent of people in Wales agree that addressing the climate crisis is one of the most important issues facing the country. Meanwhile, 71 per cent of people in the region said that companies should be more transparent about their business practices when it comes to their environmental credentials.

The study also asked consumers to share their thoughts on how their bank should conduct itself on environmental and social matters. The research showed that 35 per cent of people would ask their main bank account provider to do more to support environmental and social issues and that 37 per cent would like their bank to consult them on its approach to these challenges.

The findings come as The Co-operative Bank unveils its refreshed customer-led Ethical Policy, which sets out renewed and ambitious environmental and social commitments based on feedback from circa 50,000 customers.

Speaking about the research, Co-operative Bank CEO Nick Slape said: “It is clear that climate change is a major concern for UK consumers and a concern that we share with our customers. Tackling climate change has been a priority for the Bank over the last three decades since our customers told us through our values and ethics poll that the environment matters to them.

“Consumers today want to know that they have a voice on the most important issues which is why we recently asked our customers, through our sixth Values and Ethics Poll, what their key concerns were and how we, as their bank, could help. Around 50,000 of our customers across the UK took part and their answers informed the latest update to our Ethical Policy with renewed commitments to our customers, on how we use their money, and how we act as a business aligned with the priorities of our changing world.

“Our latest policy is structured around customers’ concerns for our planet, for people and for our communities. Under each of these pillars we outline what we’ll campaign for; stating the positive steps we’re taking on issues ranging from biodiversity to social justice, reflecting the evolution in our customers’ views since we first conducted this unique, large scale survey of our customers’ priorities back in 1992.”

The Co-operative Bank, marking its 150th year of business rooted in co-operative values and ethics, continues to champion the fight against climate change. As the first UK bank to sign the Paris Pledge, denying finance for coal mining and power generation, The Co-operative Bank has been beyond carbon neutral for over a decade, and has not sent any operational waste to landfill for the last two years with 70 per cent of its waste recycled in 2021. The Bank also remains committed to its energy targets and in 2021 reduced its energy consumption by 18 per cent year-on-year and sourced all directly procured electricity from renewable sources.

With the best ESG score of any UK high street bank The Co-operative Bank is proud to support the Zero Hour campaign and back The Climate and Ecology Bill, which recently had its first reading in the House of Lords. The campaign for the Climate and Ecology Bill launched with its first introduction in Parliament in September 2020. Zero Hour is a mass mobilisation campaign and has the backing of 151 cross-party MPs and Peers, over 200 councils have passed motions in support of the Bill, 25,000 members of the public have signed up to the campaign and over 450 businesses, community groups and NGOs support the Bill.

Dr Amy McDonnell, Zero Hour Campaign Director said: “2022 is a crucial year for our planet. The Climate and Ecology Bill is an ambitious proposal for a new law. It contains a robust strategy for tackling the twin nature and climate crisis in a joined-up way, and it ensures the public get a say on finding a fair way forward. Zero Hour, the campaign for the Bill, is proudly partnering with The Co-operative Bank, an organisation that has a clear commitment to tackling this important issue and a long history of campaigning on the causes that matter most to its customers. The findings from The Bank’s recent research shows that combating climate change is one of the most important issues that the UK faces today and consumers are behind a huge and growing drive for big, bold changes to UK legislation.”

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

2 days ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Business

52 homes to be built in Roch as scheme gets final sign-off

Published

3 days ago

December 20, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

THE FINAL stage of approval for a near-£10m Pembrokeshire residential development of 52 homes has been given the go-ahead.

Back in April, members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee backed an application by Wakefield Pembrokeshire Ltd for the development, which includes four one-bed affordable housing units, on land near Pilgrims Way, Roch.

18 objections to the scheme were received, raising concerns including an “inadequate” affordable housing level, it being a high density development for a rural area, a loss of green space, the size of some of the homes, and pressures on existing services and facilities, and fears it may lead to an increase in second homes.

Nolton & Roch Community Land Trust (N&RCLT) has raised its concerns about a lack of affordable homes at the development, calling for a 20 per cent affordable homes element, as recommended by policy.

An officer report for members, recommending conditional approval, said: “It is apparent that the proposed development is not fully policy compliant, insofar as it cannot deliver the indicative 20 per cent affordable housing sought [by policy].

“However, a substantial positive social impact will arise through the provision of housing, including four one-bed affordable housing units, in meeting identified needs for both market and affordable housing.

“Financial obligations identified to mitigate adverse impacts arising from the proposed development cannot be met in full. However, [policy] acknowledges that in such circumstances contributions may be prioritised on the basis of the individual circumstances of each case.”

Speaking at the meeting, agent Gethin Beynon said the project had a “significant economic value” of around £10m, and the local applicant had “a sense of stewardship to the local community,” offering affordable housing and community infrastructure towards highways and education.

Approval was delegated to the council’s head of planning to approve the application, subject to the completion of a Section 106 planning obligation, making community financial contributions.

The Section 106 agreement was recently agreed, with the application now formally approved.

Business

World of engineering and welding SPARCs interest in Ysgol Harri Tudur’s female learners

Published

3 days ago

December 20, 2024

Richard Lewis

AN EVENT hosted by Ledwood Engineering gave girls from Year 8 and 9 at Ysgol Harri Tudur first-hand experience of the world of engineering recently.

Engineering is a booming sector in Pembrokeshire with a high demand for skilled workers in exciting career pathways associated with the development of low carbon and renewable energy industry and the Celtic Freeport.

The young women heard from industry experts on the importance of engineering in Pembrokeshire, and had hands on experience using a welding simulator, at the company’s Pembroke Dock site.

The learners are part of the County’s SPARC (Sustainable Power and Renewable Construction) initiative aimed as inspiring and empowering young females to consider careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) pathways where females are under-represented in the workforce.

SPARC is funded through an alliance comprising Blue Gem Wind, Ledwood Engineering, Port of Milford Haven, RWE Renewables, Pembrokeshire County Council, Pembrokeshire College and the Swansea Bay City Deal.

Mrs Laura Buckingham, SPARC practitioner at Ysgol Harri Tudur said: “Our learners had a fantastic experience at Ledwood Engineering. They were given lots of advice by industry experts on the different career options and pathways within the engineering sector.

“They appreciated the opportunity to ask their questions and found the session very informative. Having the chance to trial their welding skills on the simulator was an experience they continue to talk about and has definitely piqued their interest.”

Poppy Sawyer, Year 8 SPARC learner added: ‘It was a really good trip. Talking to the different people there has helped me know more about the jobs we could get which will be very useful when making choices for my future.”

“They helped us a lot by giving us lots of information. We were able to look around and try welding. It was really fun,” added Tianna Marshall, Year 8 SPARC learner.

The Regional Learning and Skills Partnership also launched its Explore Engineering interactive website at the event.