Welsh Government to set up oversight body to ensure compliance by public authorities with environmental law

The Welsh Government has introduced a Bill that will establish a new body tasked with providing independent oversight of compliance, application and implementation of environmental law in Wales.

It said the Office of Environment Governance Wales’ role will include “ensuring public authorities, such as Welsh Government, Natural Resources Wales and local authorities, are complying with and implementing the law”.

It is intended to hold those public authorities to account in a similar way to the Office for Environmental Protection established by the Environment Act 2021.

A justice system impact identification published today, anticipates, however, that the Office will make between zero and one referrals a year to the High Court to address a Welsh public authority’s failure to comply with a compliance notice issued by the oversight body.

“Such referrals are only intended to be made as a method of last resort once all other methods of enforcement to address such a failure had been explored, including informal resolution, information notices and compliance notices.”

The Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change, Huw Irranca-Davies said the Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill, will play "a crucial role’ in safeguarding Wales' natural environment.

In addition to establishing the Office of Environmental Governance Wales, the Bill is intended to ensure that Welsh Ministers and Natural Resources Wales apply environmental principles and integrate environmental protection when making policy.

It will also enable Welsh Ministers to set “ambitious” biodiversity targets that drive actions towards halting and reversing the decline in biodiversity.

The Deputy First Minister said: “I am thrilled to be introducing this Bill to the Senedd today. It is crucial legislation that will empower us to address climate and nature emergencies, safeguard our environment from harm and ensure a sustainable future for Wales.

“Wales is facing unprecedented challenges in respect of climate change and biodiversity with severe weather events like floods, heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires significantly impacting our communities, our ecosystems and even our economy.”

He added: With one in six species now at risk of extinction in Wales, it has never been more important to restore nature and preserve the natural environment for future generations.

“The urgency to act has never been greater, and this Bill is an important step in strengthening our response and oversight of action in Wales.”