Climate

Carolyn Thomas calls for national flooding plan

Published

2 years ago

March 23, 2024

A SENEDD member recalled her family’s own experience of the devastating impact of flooding as she called for a national resilience plan.

Warning of more frequent monsoon-like rainfall, Carolyn Thomas told the chamber the first time her home was impacted she was woken in the early hours.

She said: “A neighbour wanted to alert me to the fact our pet rabbit had drowned, so we could remove him from the run before our children woke up.

“I was shocked to see a river of water pouring off the highway down our drive, swelling into the garage, and water falling down the steps in the garden, where the force knocked over a brick wall to rejoin the stream at the back of our garden.

“It was devastating for the children and for all of us. And this was because of a blocked culvert on private land further up the road, and it could have been prevented.”

Ms Thomas said it happened again during October’s storms as the culvert was not cleared.

She told MSs: “A neighbour has been out of her property for approximately five months now, staying in a hotel over Christmas, nowhere to cook, nowhere to wash up. Her daughter’s a nurse who’s also been struggling, and she’s desperate to have her home back.”

The Labour backbencher, who was elected to represent North Wales in 2021, warned that too often there is confusion and denial of responsibility.

Ms Thomas called for Natural Resources Wales to maintain a register of who owns drainage, ditches, culverts and small water courses, starting with those most impacted by flooding.

She said: “When flooding happens, it happens so quick, it’s often too late to act. The reaction is to call the council for sandbags, the fire service or police.

“Sandbags may help, but it’s often too late, and councils do not have to provide them. Many do not any more – they can’t afford to.”

Ms Thomas welcomed this week’s announcement of £34m for flood alleviation schemes.

The former deputy leader of Flintshire County Council stressed the importance of maintaining momentum as she warned that the rail network is extremely vulnerable.

She said: “If everybody knew their responsibility – whether it’s landowners or homeowners – under a national flood resilience plan, it could help prevent the devastation of flooding for communities right across Wales.”

Plaid Cymru’s Heledd Fychan called for a national flood forum for Wales, saying it is important to empower and support communities.

She said: “That national conversation is needed, but also that structure to support communities, because not everybody can actually advocate for themselves.”

Llyr Gruffydd, who represents North Wales, raised the concerns of farmers in the Conwy valley who have been working to repair the Tan Lan embankment.

“Farmers pay into the pot, but they don’t feel that they get a sufficient return,” he said.

His Plaid Cymru colleague Mabon ap Gwynfor similarly warned that farmers face an additional tax for a system that is failing them at the moment.

Mike Hedges, a Labour backbencher, who represents Swansea East, stressed that the water has to go somewhere as he raised the role of an artificial lake alongside the River Tawe.

He highlighted other actions to reduce flooding such as planting trees and shrubs, putting bends in rivers and making sure that culverts are clear.

Replying to the debate on March 20, Julie James pointed to the Welsh Government’s national strategy on flooding which draws on learning from devastating storms in 2020.

Ms James, who was climate change minister when the meeting was held, said she was interested in Heledd Fychan’s idea of a national forum for communities affected by flooding.

Précising a 400-page speech she was handed by officials, she said: “I think you need to make sure it dovetails together and isn’t just a forum to say how unhappy you are.”

Ms James, in what was her final contribution as climate minister before the reshuffle, said ministers will shortly respond to an independent review on flooding.

She added that the next climate change resilience strategy will be published in October.

Climate

Ice warning issued as temperatures fall below freezing across Pembrokeshire

Published

3 days ago

February 1, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Cold snap expected to create hazardous roads and pavements overnight into Monday morning

PEMBROKESHESHIRE residents are being urged to take extra care after a yellow weather warning for ice was issued for the whole of Wales.

The alert, issued by the Met Office, covers the period from late Sunday night (Feb 1) until mid-morning on Monday (Feb 2), with temperatures expected to drop to around minus two degrees Celsius in some areas.

Forecasters say wet roads and surfaces left by earlier showers are likely to freeze quickly after dark, creating icy stretches on untreated roads, pavements and rural lanes across Pembrokeshire.

Travel disruption possible

The Met Office warns that icy patches may form widely, increasing the risk of slips and falls and making journeys slower and more hazardous, particularly during the Monday morning commute.

Untreated side roads, country routes and shaded areas are expected to be most affected, with black ice possible in places where frost is not easily visible.

Drivers are advised to allow extra time for journeys, slow down and keep a safe distance from other vehicles. Pedestrians are urged to wear suitable footwear and take care on steps, slopes and pavements.

Gritting teams are expected to treat main routes overnight, but officials warn that not every road can be covered.

Local outlook

Temperatures across the county are forecast to fall sharply after sunset on Sunday, with frost forming widely before dawn. Inland and higher ground areas are likely to see the coldest conditions.

Residents are also being encouraged to check on elderly or vulnerable neighbours and ensure homes are adequately heated during the cold spell.

Conditions are expected to improve later on Monday as temperatures rise above freezing, but further updates may be issued if the forecast changes.

Climate

Breaking down barriers between finance and industry in offshore renewables sector

Published

6 days ago

January 29, 2026

Tom Sinclair

EARLIER this week, Marine Energy Wales brought together senior representatives from national and devolved finance institutions with developers, ports and supply-chain companies operating across Wales’ offshore renewable energy sector for a dedicated finance roundtable in Pembroke Dock. Attendance was limited to premium MEW members to allow for frank, focused discussion.

The session was intentionally designed to be different.

Rather than relying on formal presentations or sales pitches, the roundtable created a facilitated, closed-door space for open dialogue. Finance organisations were able to explain clearly how they operate, what types of projects they can support, and where constraints still exist. Industry participants, in turn, set out the real-world challenges they are facing across tidal energy, floating offshore wind, port infrastructure and supply-chain development.

What emerged was more than information sharing—it was a clearer, shared understanding of how decisions are made on both sides.

From siloed conversations to shared problem-solving

A consistent theme from the discussion was that significant public and institutional finance is now available to support clean energy projects. However, navigating that landscape remains complex, particularly for early-stage developments, smaller supply-chain businesses and emerging technologies.

By bringing the right people into the room at the same time, the roundtable helped to:

demystify how different finance bodies assess risk, scale and project readiness
highlight where policy ambition, market signals and investment criteria are not yet aligned
identify opportunities where better sequencing and coordination of funding could unlock progress
establish direct relationships that will support follow-up conversations beyond the room

The discussion also surfaced where gaps remain. In particular, the need for clearer market signals and more tailored support for tidal stream and other early-stage marine technologies was repeatedly raised. These are challenges that are difficult to address in isolation, but far more productive to tackle collectively.

The value of convening

For Marine Energy Wales, the roundtable reinforced the importance of our role as a neutral convener for the sector.

Members consistently tell us that access to finance is one of the most significant barriers to progress—not only in terms of capital availability, but in understanding how to engage effectively with funders. At the same time, finance organisations are keen to deepen their understanding of project development timelines, technology risk and the scale of Welsh supply-chain ambition.

Creating space for those conversations is where real value is added.

This is not about Marine Energy Wales brokering individual deals. It is about building shared understanding, reducing friction, and helping to align finance, policy and industry around credible pathways to delivery.

What comes next

This roundtable was not a one-off.

Marine Energy Wales is committed to continuing this work, developing structured and trusted forums where finance, industry and government can engage early, openly and constructively. As Wales moves from ambition to delivery in offshore wind and tidal energy, these relationships and conversations will be critical to ensuring projects are investable, deliverable and anchored in Welsh economic benefit.

We will continue to work with our members and partners to identify priority issues, convene the right voices, and help turn opportunity into tangible outcomes on the ground.

Climate

Wales takes another giant leap towards becoming a zero-waste nation

Published

6 days ago

January 29, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE LATEST figures are in, and they’re impressive – Wales has pushed its recycling rate up to 68.4% in 2024-25, climbing from 66.6% the previous year. It’s a remarkable turnaround for a country that was recycling just 5% of its waste before devolution.

The boost comes as Wales’ new workplace recycling rules begin to show real results. Businesses, public sector organisations and third sector workplaces across the country are now required to separate key recyclable materials, and it’s making a measurable difference.

Local authorities collected an additional 8,187 tonnes of recyclable material from workplaces this year – that’s a 42% jump compared to last year. Meanwhile, residual waste from workplaces has dropped by 15.8%, meaning thousands of tonnes of valuable materials are being fed back into the economy rather than burned or buried.

The landfill figures tell their own story – just 0.7% of Wales’ waste ended up in landfill in 2024-25, compared to 95% before devolution.

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies, who has responsibility for climate change, said: “We continue to build on Wales’ already world class recycling. This shows the huge shift in attitudes over the last few decades; recycling is now a part of who we are as a nation.”

He added: “I’m proud of every person in Wales who has played their part in getting us to where we are today – in our homes and now in our workplaces too. Thank you for joining this collective effort.”

Wales currently sits second in the world for recycling – leading the UK and trailing only Austria in global rankings published by Eunomia Research and Consulting and Reloop in 2024. More than half of Welsh councils hit the 70% recycling target, and over 90% improved their rates year-on-year.

The Deputy First Minister said: “Our recycling track record is something to be proud of as we continue taking action to tackle the climate and nature emergency and grow the green economy. But let’s not be complacent. Being number one in the world for recycling is within our grasp if we keep up the momentum.”