The Wales Net Zero 2035 Challenge Group

Wales has a statutory net zero target of 2050, but the Welsh Government — through its co-operation agreement with Plaid Cymru — explored the feasibility of an accelerated 2035 target. The Challenge Group was established to provide independent analysis of what would be required.

The Wales Net Zero 2035 Challenge Group's work demonstrates how devolved governance can set more ambitious climate targets than the UK Government while simultaneously exposing the limits of devolved powers. An accelerated net zero target requires control over energy policy, industrial strategy, and carbon pricing — areas where Welsh powers are incomplete or constrained by reserved UK competencies. The Group's analysis inevitably identified areas where further devolution (particularly of energy and Crown Estate powers) would be necessary to achieve the 2035 target, making it an indirect but powerful argument for expanded devolution. The fact that it was jointly commissioned by Labour and Plaid Cymru through their co-operation agreement showed that climate ambition could serve as common ground between parties with different ultimate constitutional goals — Labour seeking better devolution, Plaid seeking independence.