Derek Walker responds to latest Climate Change Committee Report  

“Cymru is more exposed to the impact of climate change than other parts of the UK but is under prepared. 

We are not yet adapting at the scale and pace required. Climate adaptation is about fixing the roof before the storm hits — it would be mass negligence if we continue to ignore the need to storm-proof while we have the chance. 

As this new report finds, action today is cheaper than action tomorrow.  

In Swansea urban planners are managing surface water flooding through nature solutions. In Cwm Taf Morgannwg the Public Services Board is identifying what infrastructure is most at risk from extreme weather events – these examples show that practical, place-based action is already making a difference.  

I have been keeping up the pressure on public bodies to take action and now all areas of Wales are working on climate change risk assessments, compared with only half a year ago. We now need fast and coordinated actions across the Welsh public sector and beyond. 

Preparing for more flooding is just one aspect of climate adaptation. Climate adaptation needs to be embedded across everything we do, from food production, healthcare, to essential infrastructure planning.”