I would like congratulate WWF Cymru, and Joe Ravetz, for producing this important report. This work will ensure that the One Planet concept is central in our thinking on sustainable development.

I am delighted to be here, particularly in view of my new role as Minister with responsibility for Sustainability, which in itself demonstrates the high level of commitment this Government places on sustainability issues. My responsibility for areas such as energy, water, planning and housing, within the overarching theme of sustainability, provides a strong focus for driving action on sustainable development, which I intend to use to maximum effect.

I am tremendously proud that the Welsh Assembly Government was one of the first administrations in the world that had a statutory duty to promote sustainable development in all that it does. This is an important opportunity for Wales to lead from the front. One of the ways in which we have done this is to confirm Wales' ecological footprint as a key headline measure of progress towards sustainable development in Wales.

Wales' ecological footprint is 5.25 global hectares per person – the lowest of all the UK regions. But we are, as a nation, still using more than our fair share of the earth's resources. If everyone on the earth did the same as us, we would need another 2 planets to provide the resources that this would require. This over-consumption of resources affects environmental sustainability, long-term economic progress, and social justice. It is often the poorest communities that have to live with the consequences of unsustainable behaviours. This is especially true internationally. The reduction of Wales' ecological footprint to sustainable levels is therefore urgent and compelling.

As we develop policies to do this, it is important that we have a strong and robust evidence base. Wales' current footprint calculation is based on 2001 data and we have therefore commissioned experts to re-calculate this using the latest available data. This work will in addition explore some of the scenarios needed to reduce Wales' footprint by 10% by 2020.
This report we have commissioned is expected at the end of 2007.

As we take forward this work, we will need to benchmark our performance internationally, and to learn from, and share, best practice in this. To help us do this, the Welsh Assembly Government is a member of the Global Footprint Network, and the First Minister is a member of its Science and Policy Advisory Council.

We will also need to build on the innovative research that was produced for the International Ecological Footprint Conference held here in Cardiff last May. This was organised jointly by the BRASS research centre at Cardiff University and the Global Footprint Network, and I am pleased that the Welsh Assembly Government was a major sponsor. I intend to continue working closely with experts and stakeholders, and have recently met the staff of the BRASS research centre of Cardiff University to explore how their research on sustainable development can help us develop more effective, evidenced-based policies. I would very much like to build on and develop our relationship with WWF Cymru, with a focus on achieving the One Planet Wales agenda.

I am also pleased to see here representatives of leading businesses here today explaining their approach to sustainable development. The innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership that businesses can bring to the challenge of sustainability, is critical. I very much hope that there is scope for us to learn from the approach of business, and to work with them on footprint issues as they tackle the sustainable development agenda.

I would like now to turn to the One Planet Wales Report, and its key assertion that the Welsh footprint could increase by 30% by 2050 if we follow business as usual. To avoid this, the report suggests that we need to increase the efficiency with which we use resources by 3.5% a year, across all sectors, year on year. This is described as a "factor four" increase. It is a tremendous challenge for us all. The report clearly sets out the direction of travel we need to take to get there.

The One Wales Programme for Government sets out the first steps we are taking towards developing a One Planet Wales. I would like to focus briefly on three issues: climate change, waste, and food.

My top priority is climate change. Put simply, climate change is a symptom that the level of resources we use to sustain our lifestyles is unsustainable. Direct energy consumption makes up 18% of Wales' ecological footprint, and it is clear that policies to tackle climate change will help us reduce our ecological footprint. The One Wales agreement sets out our commitment to address climate change in the following ways:

• First, we have set out a target to reduce CO2 emissions by 3% per year, from 2011, in those areas where we have devolved powers. We are working to define that target for key sectors, and the action needed to deliver it.
• Second, we will be establishing a Climate Change Commission for Wales to provide strong and continuing focus for driving action on climate change.
• Third, we have already announced our aspiration for all new buildings in Wales to be zero carbon by 2011, and we are looking at the feasibility of devolving the Building Regulations to enable us to deliver on our 2011 aspiration.
• Finally on climate change, we have set ambitious targets for renewable energy generation and, as part of the energy policies I will be developing, I am committed to reviewing these targets upwards. I am also determined that we should find ways to put energy back in the hands of people and communities – micro-generation and community scale generation must become an increasing part of our energy mix.

Another priority issue is waste. Waste currently makes up 14% of Wales' ecological footprint. Reducing waste at source, and increasing the proportion that is recycled, will reduce Wales' ecological footprint. We have already made good progress in tackling waste – in 2001 households in Wales recycled or composted only 9% of their waste. In 2005/6 the figure had risen to 22%. However, there is still much to do.

• My officials are undertaking a review of the Waste Strategy for early next year, to focus more on recycling and waste minimisation. I will soon be discussing with Local Authorities setting higher and more challenging targets for recycling.
• We are also working on a Legislative Competence Order at the Assembly which would confer some powers on the Assembly around environment protection and waste management.
• We also need to do more to engage the skills and experience of communities and the third sector, working alongside local authorities, in tackling this issue.

A third issue is the impact of food. This makes up 25% of the Welsh ecological footprint. This is associated with the packing, processing and transport of food, as well as the actual food production. Increasing the amount of local food purchased will reduce this footprint. Our public procurement strategy has helped to drive the market for local food. The amount of Welsh food purchased by the public sector in Wales has increased from 18% to 24% since 2003. Key issues we will be taking forward include:

• The development of the Food and Drink Strategy 2007. This will outline new schemes for the next 6 years that can support local food producers and processors develop their businesses and market their products.
• The Welsh Assembly Government is working with the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) to reduce packaging in the retail sector.

We have a significant opportunity to make a step change in our action on sustainable development this year. I have recently commissioned an independent review of the Sustainable Development Scheme, and will make a decision on whether we should remake the scheme around the Spring, when this has reported. I will be seeking to set out some key areas of action for the Assembly over the coming months, and will be working with stakeholders including WWF to inform our priorities, which include reducing our footprint.

The footprint emphasises the shared responsibility we all have in making our lifestyles more sustainable. I believe that the ecological footprint is one of a number of ways we can communicate and engage with individuals and communities, alongside more specific tools such as the carbon footprint.

The One Planet Wales report represents a challenge for us as the Welsh Assembly Government, and it is a challenge for businesses, social enterprises, voluntary organisations, communities and individuals. Indeed it is only by engaging with, and empowering, individuals and communities on this issue that we can hope to begin moving in the right direction.

The One Planet Wales report sets out clearly the direction of travel that we must take, and is clear about the issues we must tackle. I have outlined some of the issues that we will be taking in this administration which will be the first steps on this journey. I am aware that there will be more to do, and difficult choices to make. I very much hope that we can work together in partnership as we do this.
I hope you have a productive day and I look forward to working with you in the future. Rwy'n gobeithio y cewch ddiwrnod cynhyrchiol ac edrychaf ymlaen i gydweithio â chi yn y dyfodol. Diolch yn fawr. Thank you.