Meeting 1

The Wales Net Zero 2035 Challenge Group met for the first time on 11^th January, convened by Chair, Jane Davidson. Members received an introductory briefing from the Chair, in addition to a session with Members of the Senedd Julie James (Minister for Climate Change ) and Siân Gwenllian (Lead Designated Member: Cooperation Agreement) on their respective aspirations for the work of the Group. Members spent the remainder of the meeting discussing the organisation of prospective work, with initial publications of plans expected in February and March.  

Meeting 2

The second meeting of the Wales  Net Zero 2035 Challenge Group was held on 8^th February 2023. The meeting was well-attended by members (experts and observers) of the group.   

The terms of reference and ways of working including the working method were discussed extensively, setting the pace on how the group will maximise the opportunities available to deliver on ambitions. Members agreed to the terms of reference and ways of working and next steps were identified, including the establishment of a ‘challenge area’ subgroup and ‘vision’ subgroup. The meeting ended with the Chair challenging the group to commit to being radical, timely, collaborative and opportunistic in identifying investment and areas for collaborative and pilot testing.  

Meeting 3

The third meeting of the Wales  Net Zero Challenge 2035 Group was held on Wednesday, 8^th March 2023. Selected members delivered presentations on their ambitions, aspirations and recommendations for the group. This was followed by an in-depth discussion on the ways of working in particular the delivery plan and challenges areas. Members considered the most effective opportunities available to maximise engagement with the Welsh community and public.  

In closing the meeting, the Chair acknowledged the contribution and commitment of every member to the discussion and agenda of the group. 

Meeting 4 

The fourth meeting of the Wales Net Zero 2035 Challenge Group was held on 12th April 2023. Selected members delivered presentations on their ambitions, aspirations and recommendations for the group.  

A detailed discussion focused on plans for the public launch of the group’s 1^st challenge: ‘How could Wales feed itself by 2035?’ The Group also discussed the approach, framing and number of the other challenges that would be undertaken. The Wales Centre for Public Policy presented their approach to providing independent research in support of the Group’s work and members supplied feedback.  

The Chair thanked the commitment of all members and the active participation during the meeting.  

Meeting 5

The 5th meeting of the Wales Net Zero 2035 Challenge Group was held on Wednesday, 10th May 2023.  The Chair provided updates on the meeting with the Minister for Climate Change and Designated Member as well as insights from agreed engagements with relevant organisations. Selected members continued to deliver presentations on their ambitions, aspirations and recommendations for the Group. 

This was followed by a presentation from the 1st Challenge working Group on their planned approach to the work, The Wales Centre for Public Policy made a presentation of evidence in preparation for the initiation of the 2nd Challenge.  In closing the meeting, the Chair acknowledged the significant progress that has been achieved within the short period of time.  

Meeting 6

The 6^th meeting of the Wales Net Zero 2035 Challenge Group was held on Wednesday 14^th June 2023. Due to illness, the Chair (Jane Davidson) nominated Prof. Karen Morrow as Deputy Chair in her absence. Selected members continued to deliver presentations on their ambitions, aspirations and recommendations for the Group.  

An initial presentation was made in regard to the Committee on Climate Change’s recent progress report to the Senedd. This was followed by a presentation by the co-chairs of the 3^rd challenge ‘How could Wales heat and build homes and workplaces by 2035?’ on their approach and shorter progress updates were made by the co-chairs of the remaining challenges. Members provided feedback.  

The Deputy Chair noted appreciation the effort of the presenters and all that contributed to the conversation.  

Meeting 7

The 7^th meeting of the Wales Net Zero 2035 Challenge Group was held on Wednesday 12^th July 2023. Selected members continued to deliver presentations on their ambitions, aspirations and recommendations for the Group. 

The Secretary provided a presentation on a proposal to work with a partner organisation on delivering a citizen’s assembly exercise in the spring of 2024 to test draft conclusions. Members welcomed the proposal and provided feedback. The Secretary also presented guidance for ‘co-chairs’ of the recently established working groups for each challenge.  Members provided feedback. Presentations were also made by the co-chairs of each working group on their initial thinking on how to approach their respective challenges. Members provided feedback.  

The Chair thanked the group members for their efforts. 

Meeting 8

The 8^th meeting of the Wales Net Zero 2035 Challenge Group was held on Wednesday 11^th September 2023. Selected members continued to deliver presentations on their ambitions, aspirations and recommendations for the Group  

The meeting included update reports from each of the challenge working groups and the secretariat. All reference groups are on track to receive open external evidence by the end of December.  The Chair concluded by appreciating the contribution of the members and by encouraging the members to continue to focus on connecting with individuals and partner organisations who would be prepared to test the group’s high level conclusions at the appropriate time.  

Meeting 9

The 9^th meeting of the Wales Net Zero 2035 Challenge Group was held on Wednesday 11^th October 2023. The Chair welcomed the new members of the secretariat for each challenge group to the 9th meeting of the group. 

The 9th meeting signified a milestone in the work of the group as following the agreement of the members, the final calls for evidence for the remaining challenge areas will be launched with open external evidence to come in by 31st December 2023.  The meeting included update reports from each challenge area group and the secretariat. The processes and timetable for the group’s work was agreed and will be published in a series of slides on the group’s website.