The Welsh Government has announced that it intends to publish its routemap for a more resource efficient economy next year, as part of its “Prosperity for All: economic action plan”, which was published today (12 December).
“Prosperity for All: the Economic Action Plan” sets out how the goals of growing Wales’ economy and well being, whilst also reducing inequality will be achieved. It has been developed to meet the needs of business today but also to help Welsh communities and businesses to rise to the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow, according to the Welsh Government.
“We must get ahead of that change to equip our people, businesses and places to face the future with confidence. Our new economic action plan seeks to do just that.”
As part of the “Drive sustainable growth and combat climate change” in the document, there is a commitment to: “Publish our route map for a more resource efficient economy in 2018, which will help us to realise the value of our resources in Wales.”
It states the routemap will aim to: “drive change through implementing the optimum a mix of interventions for achieving higher levels of circularity, innovation and resource efficiency for Wales. This will be underpinned by identifying:
- areas with greatest potential to benefit from a more resource efficient, ‘circular approach’
- businesses with the greatest potential to use recyclate as a raw material
- routes for raising the capacity of circular economy innovation support in Wales, especially through the academic institutions.”
Further actions relating to waste, the document states, include:
- Developing a support package for businesses to improve their energy and resource efficiency. We will do this through actions such as improving the energy efficiency of new buildings, by reviewing our building regulations and working with businesses to ensure the more resource efficient use of materials.
- Embedding resource efficiency within our programme of innovation support to SMEs by using public sector procurement to create new opportunities for resource efficient manufacturing in Wales.
- Developing the regulations under Part 4 of the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 in order to increase recycling by businesses in Wales.
The Economy Secretary said: “We live in an age of unprecedented change alongside huge opportunity. Fired by the fourth industrial revolution, the way we live, work and spend our leisure time is transforming before our eyes.
“We must get ahead of that change to equip our people, businesses and places to face the future with confidence. Our new economic action plan seeks to do just that.”
For the full document CLICK HERE
