Wales and the Basque Country could learn from each other on efforts to combat climate change by developing renewable energy. That’s the message from Plaid MEP Jill Evans who spoke at a conference in Pamplona on combating climate change.

The MEP visited a solar energy park (picture available) in Navarra, a region where 65 per cent of electricity is produced from renewable energy. The region won the EU award for best regional renewable energy partnership in 2004 and the renewable energy industry has led to the creation of 61 companies and more than 4000 jobs.

Speaking at the conference Jill Evans said:

"Action at a local level in Wales, the Basque Country and elsewhere is a crucial part of what needs to be done to tackle climate change. The Basque Country produces 65 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources and this has led to major economic benefits and thousands of new jobs.

"Producing more electricity from non polluting sources sensitive to local circumstances is essential if we are to meet targets to cut CO2 emissions and tackle climate change.

"I would like to see more partnerships developing between Wales, the Basque Country and other small nations and regions. We can learn from each other and work together to tackle climate change which is the number one environmental challenge of the twenty first century."