Climate Change

Claim: Based on modelling of the Sustainable Farming Scheme, 2000 jobs will be lost on farms in Wales.

The Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) evidence base we have published does not include any references to job losses. 

Modelling does refer to a possible estimated change in the standard labour requirements (hours worked) from the Universal layer. This is not the same as jobs.

The small possible reduction of 3.7% in standard labour requirements assumes every farm in Wales took up the Universal actions in the SFS. However, this is based on likely overestimated impacts on livestock numbers and does not take account of the extra work needed on farm, through things like soil testing, nor the positive impact on labour of the Optional and Collaborative actions.

There is nothing in any reports we have published that says jobs will be lost as a result of the SFS. 

Claim: Welsh Government spend £4m of taxpayers’ money planting ‘gender equal’ trees in Uganda

Funding for the Mbale tree planting programme over the last 15 years is around £270,000 per annum, (c. 0.001% of our annual budget).

Planting trees helps mitigate climate change for everyone. Planting trees in places near the equator, like Mbale, means they grow four times quicker and capture carbon more efficiently.

The approximate cost per tree over the lifetime of the project has been 15 pence per tree. Funding also helps the community improve agricultural practices and supports jobs for women.

By supporting this Ugandan-led project, Wales is helping some of the very poorest people in the world adapt to climate change and improve their livelihoods. As well as tackling climate change, trees protect local people in the Mount Elgon region from deadly landslides.

Size of Wales has worked with thousands of young people in primary and secondary schools across Wales learn about climate change, become responsible global citizens, and take informed action at a time of growing climate anxiety. They offer bilingual sessions free of charge to schools.

Read more about Jenipher’s Coffi, Deborah Nabulobi and Size of Wales.