1. Managing Wales’ Natural Resources
Andy Fraser
Head of Natural Resource Management
Department for Natural Resources

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

3. Our commitments
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
Bringing together or replacing existing processes and providing better evidence and greater certainty

4. Environment (Wales) Bill
Places seven well-being goals into law, and requires public bodies to apply the sustainable development principle in ways that follow five key ways of working.
Put in place a modern statutory process to help plan and manage our natural resources in a more sustainable and joined up way
Have an efficient process to ensure the right development is located in the right place
Well-being of
Future Generations
(Wales) Act
Environment (Wales) Bill
Planning
(Wales) Bill

5. Environment (Wales) Bill
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)
Enshrines the 12 principles of the UN CBD
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

6. 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

7. Creation of NRW in 2013 major step forward
Addresses fundamental weaknesses in the current statutory framework
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.
Creation of NRW in 2013 major step forward
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.

8. 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
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.”
Includes definitions of “natural resources” and “sustainable management of natural resources”

9. Definitions Natural Resources: Includes (but is not limited to) –
Animals, plants and other organisms;
Air, water and soil;
Minerals;
Geological features and processes;
physiographical features;
Climatic features and processes
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.

10. Sustainable management of natural resources
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.

11. State of Natural Resources Report (SoNaRR)
Environment (Wales) Bill
State of Natural Resources Report (SoNaRR)
NRW to lead on reporting on the status of Wales’ natural resources
To be published in line with Assembly elections
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
A snapshot of natural resources and their resilience.
SoNaRR will be a statutory document, prepared by NRW
First element of the statutory cycle, to be published once every 5 years, after the Assembly elections
Must be published 6 months at latest after election
SoNaRR will set out how our natural resources are contributing to environmental, economic and social well-being
The report may recommend to Welsh Ministers, and the FG Commissioner, what changes are needed to ensure natural resources can continue to sustain and contribute to long-term benefits for Wales
Initial report planned for late 2014
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 11

12. National Natural Resources Policy (NNRP)
Environment (Wales) Bill
National Natural Resources Policy (NNRP)
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
NNRP to be reviewed every Government term
Sets out consideration of climate change mitigation and adaptation
Draft report planned for spring 2015
Will set the priorities for the sustainable management of natural resources at the national level which can be delivered through the area-based approach and statements.
Must be published at latest 3 months after SoNaRR
Not just challenges, but positive opportunities
reviewed every 5 years, in line with Assembly election cycle, and following publication of SoNaRR
Welsh Ministers may consult
Set out contribution to sustainable management of natural resources
Well-being goals and Welsh Ministers Well-being objectives will inform development of the NNRP and will link across to National Development Framework
May also be informed by other evidence, such as the Future Trends Report 12 12

13. Area Statements Environment (Wales) Bill
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
Includes direction making, information sharing and mutual assistance provisions
Evidence gathered will feed back into SoNaRR and to inform the next iteration of the NNRP
When NRW have prepared an area based statement it must be sent to Welsh Ministers for approval
Welsh Ministers may also guidance on the scope of content of statements
Certain public bodies must share information in the preparation of the statements
All Wales coverage
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

14. Environment Bill: other Part 1 provisions
Environment (Wales) Bill
Environment Bill: other Part 1 provisions
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
Sharpens requirement on public authorities:
s40: “have regard”
Env Bill: “must seek to maintain and enhance”
And in doing so promote ecosystem resilience
Retains s42 (biodiversity lists) requirements
Public authorities must publish a compliance report (before end of 2019 and every third year thereafter)
Iterative cycle natural resources management - products interrelates 14 14 14

15. Statutory climate change target for 2050:
Key measures to tackle climate change
Statutory climate change target for 2050:
At least an 80% reduction in emissions against 1990 levels
Framework for setting:
Interim targets
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.

16. Environment (Wales) Bill