Environment (Wales) Bill Legislation to sustainably manage Wales’ resources

2 Evidence shows that the capacity of our natural resources to continue to provide the services on which we depend is diminishing Case for change Interventions and actions needed to enable Wales to grow sustainably, increase resilience and manage natural resources efficiently

3 Fresh legal framework to manage Wales’ natural resources in a joined-up and sustainable way and support achievement of Well- being Goals Fresh legal framework to manage Wales’ natural resources in a joined-up and sustainable way and support achievement of Well- being Goals Strong links to the WFG Act and Planning Bill processes, principles and aims Strong links to the WFG Act and Planning Bill processes, principles and aims Bringing together or replacing existing processes and providing better evidence and greater certainty Bringing together or replacing existing processes and providing better evidence and greater certainty Our commitments

Environment (Wales) Bill A modern approach to managing our natural resources in a proactive and joined-up way in a way that: A modern approach to managing our natural resources in a proactive and joined-up way in a way that: is compatible with and supports the principles of SD for natural resource planning and management (and specifically the requirements of the WFG Act) is compatible with and supports the principles of SD for natural resource planning and management (and specifically the requirements of the WFG Act) Enshrines the 12 principles of the UN CBD Enshrines the 12 principles of the UN CBD Establish the legislative framework necessary to tackle climate change Establish the legislative framework necessary to tackle climate change By going “beyond protection”, help to secure Wales’ long-term well-being, so that it benefits from a prosperous economy, a healthy and resilient environment and vibrant, cohesive communities By going “beyond protection”, help to secure Wales’ long-term well-being, so that it benefits from a prosperous economy, a healthy and resilient environment and vibrant, cohesive communities

5 Addresses fundamental weaknesses in the current statutory framework Modern legislation for managing Wales’ natural resources that is equally focused on opportunities and challenges Key measures to tackle climate change Powers to enhance the current carrier bag charging scheme Improving Wales’ waste management processes Removes unnecessary complexity, simplifies processes and plans and improves the regulatory framework

6 Addresses fundamental weaknesses in the current statutory framework Current environmental legislation framework is reactive, issue- specific and can be inefficient. Current environmental legislation framework is reactive, issue- specific and can be inefficient. Creates a barrier to effective planning and limits ability to manage Wales’ natural resources in a sustainable way. Creates a barrier to effective planning and limits ability to manage Wales’ natural resources in a sustainable way. Creation of NRW in 2013 major step forward Creation of NRW in 2013 major step forward But NRW remains bound by weaknesses in the existing legislative framework. But NRW remains bound by weaknesses in the existing legislative framework. Bill has been designed to address these weaknesses by enabling integrated delivery, simplification and efficiency. Bill has been designed to address these weaknesses by enabling integrated delivery, simplification and efficiency.

7 Modern legislation for managing Wales’ natural resources that is equally focused on opportunities and challenges Introduces a statutory framework for the Sustainable Management of Natural Resources Introduces a statutory framework for the Sustainable Management of Natural Resources Key aim of Part 1 of the Bill: Key aim of Part 1 of the Bill: “to manage our natural resources in a way and at a rate that can maintain and enhance the resilience of our ecosystems whilst meeting the needs or present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.” “to manage our natural resources in a way and at a rate that can maintain and enhance the resilience of our ecosystems whilst meeting the needs or present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.” Includes definitions of “natural resources” and “sustainable management of natural resources” Includes definitions of “natural resources” and “sustainable management of natural resources”

8 Natural Resources: Natural Resources: Includes (but is not limited to) – Includes (but is not limited to) – Animals, plants and other organisms; Animals, plants and other organisms; Air, water and soil; Air, water and soil; Minerals; Minerals; Geological features and processes; Geological features and processes; physiographical features; physiographical features; Climatic features and processes Climatic features and processes Sustainable Management of Natural Resources: Sustainable Management of Natural Resources: Using natural resources in a way and at a rate that…maintains and enhances the resilience of ecosystems and the benefits they provide and, in doing so, meet the needs of present generations of people without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Using natural resources in a way and at a rate that…maintains and enhances the resilience of ecosystems and the benefits they provide and, in doing so, meet the needs of present generations of people without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Definitions

9 State of Natural Resources Report (SoNaRR) State of Natural Resources Report (SoNaRR) Area Statements National Natural Resource Policy (NNRP) The priorities identified in the National Policy will be delivered at a local level through Area Statements produced by NRW. The State of Natural Resources Report (SoNaRR), produced by NRW, will report on the status of Wales’ natural resources and track the progress being made towards achieving the sustainable management of natural resources. It will also serve as an essential evidence base to underpin the NNRP. The National Natural Resource Policy will set out the priorities for the sustainable management of natural resources at a national level. It will outline how the sustainable management of Wales’ natural resources will provide benefits to society and the economy as well as the environment, supporting the goals outlined in the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act. Sustainable management of natural resources

10 State of Natural Resources Report (SoNaRR) NRW to lead on reporting on the status of Wales’ natural resources NRW to lead on reporting on the status of Wales’ natural resources To be published in line with Assembly elections To be published in line with Assembly elections NRW can ask public bodies to provide information to help it compile the report NRW can ask public bodies to provide information to help it compile the report To be effective, this evidence base must inform other key documents, such as NNRP and Area Statements To be effective, this evidence base must inform other key documents, such as NNRP and Area Statements Environment (Wales) Bill Data and information to inform the Future Trends Report Content of SoNaRR will communicate the contribution the sustainable management of natural resources will make to delivering the Well-being goals.

11 National Natural Resources Policy (NNRP) Drawing on SoNaRR, Welsh Ministers will set a clear policy for the sustainable management of natural resources Drawing on SoNaRR, Welsh Ministers will set a clear policy for the sustainable management of natural resources To include opportunities, challenges and priorities to optimise national social, economic and environmental benefits To include opportunities, challenges and priorities to optimise national social, economic and environmental benefits NNRP to be reviewed every Government term NNRP to be reviewed every Government term Environment (Wales) Bill Well-being goals and Welsh Ministers Well-being objectives will inform development of the NNRP May also be informed by other evidence, such as the Future Trends Report

12 Area Statements NRW must publish Area Statements to implement the priorities of NNRP at a local level NRW must publish Area Statements to implement the priorities of NNRP at a local level Specify the priorities and opportunities for the sustainable management of natural resources within an area, and specify how NRW proposes to address them Specify the priorities and opportunities for the sustainable management of natural resources within an area, and specify how NRW proposes to address them Includes direction making, information sharing and mutual assistance provisions Includes direction making, information sharing and mutual assistance provisions Environment (Wales) Bill Contribute to and inform delivery of the Well-being objectives and Well-being plans. This will enable the management of natural resources to feed into the preparation of Local Development Plans.

13 Environment Bill: other Part 1 provisions Biodiversity and resilience of ecosystems duty Biodiversity and resilience of ecosystems duty Refocuses s40 of NERC Act 2006 for public authorities who carry out functions in Wales, so the requirements are in line with principles of SMNR Refocuses s40 of NERC Act 2006 for public authorities who carry out functions in Wales, so the requirements are in line with principles of SMNR Sharpens requirement on public authorities: Sharpens requirement on public authorities: s40: “have regard” s40: “have regard” Env Bill: “must seek to maintain and enhance” Env Bill: “must seek to maintain and enhance” And in doing so promote ecosystem resilience And in doing so promote ecosystem resilience Retains s42 (biodiversity lists) requirements Retains s42 (biodiversity lists) requirements Public authorities must publish a compliance report (before end of 2019 and every third year thereafter) Public authorities must publish a compliance report (before end of 2019 and every third year thereafter) Environment (Wales) Bill

14 Key measures to tackle climate change Statutory climate change target for 2050: Statutory climate change target for 2050: At least an 80% reduction in emissions against 1990 levels At least an 80% reduction in emissions against 1990 levels Framework for setting: Framework for setting: Interim targets Interim targets Carbon Budgets Carbon Budgets Accelerate progress in tackling causes and consequences of climate change, contributing to achievement of Well-being Goals. Will also help to inform priorities in the National Development Framework, Strategic Development and Local Development Plans.

15 Powers to enhance the current carrier bag charging scheme Extends Welsh Ministers’ powers so that charges can be set for other types of carrier bags (eg ‘bags for life’) in addition to current charge Extends Welsh Ministers’ powers so that charges can be set for other types of carrier bags (eg ‘bags for life’) in addition to current charge Bill also provides regulation making powers for requirements on retailers to donate proceeds to good causes. Bill also provides regulation making powers for requirements on retailers to donate proceeds to good causes. Help support delivery against Well-being goals and Local Authorities’ delivery against Well-being Objectives

16 Improving Wales’ waste management processes New powers to increase the quality of materials available for recycling to ensure the materials that can be recycled aren’t wasted Provisions to ban the disposal of food waste to sewers by businesses and the public sector Help support delivery against Well-being goals and Local Authorities’ delivery against Well-being Objectives

17 Removes unnecessary complexity, simplifies processes and plans and improves the regulatory framework Fisheries for shellfish Marine Licensing Land Drainage Flood and Coastal Erosion Committee

Environment (Wales) Bill

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