A presentation by WG to CCCW at Environment Bill Roundtable July 2013

1. Natural
Resource
Management

2. Why do we need an Environment Bill?
• For over 60 years, governments have sought to protect, regulate
and manage the environment through a series of approaches - this
has created complex bureaucratic systems
• We now have an opportunity to refresh the systems, and put in
place a more unified, purpose-designed approach
• We want to manage our natural resources in a better way to achieve
good outcomes for the environment, people, businesses and the
economy.
Environment Bill

3. What is the aim of the Bill?
• To ensure that Wales can take advantage of
the opportunity our natural resources give us
to deliver green growth and a resilient,
prosperous future for our communities
Environment Bill

4. How are we going to achieve our aim?
• First, we will aim to simplify the legislative
requirements
• Second, we will identify opportunities to make
proactive change
• Third, we will move to an integrated approach to
natural resource management.
Environment Bill

5. Theme 1 – Simplification and Integration
Aims:
• To streamline and integrate the existing functions and
duties of Natural Resources Wales to ensure aligned with core
purpose – for example in relation to appeals processes
• Simplify other key areas of the legislative framework in
relation to natural resources, including Shellfisheries
management
Environment Bill

6. Theme 2 – Proactive identification of
opportunities
Aims:
• To provide NRW with the tools for new ways of working which will
promote wider economic and social benefits – for example Payments
for Ecosystem Services.
This could include approaches to carbon storage and flood
prevention
• To improve other key regulatory areas such as Waste segregation to
ensure that the environment in Wales can better deliver wider
economic and social benefits.
Environment Bill

7. Theme 3 – Natural Resource Planning
Aims:
• To join up existing natural resource planning regimes
• To ensure decision making is underpinned by consideration
of long-term economic, social and environment impacts
• To establish a Natural resource framework which is
supported by a robust evidence base and informs decisions
at a national and local level.
In managing our natural resource in a joined up and sustainable way,
it follows that climate resilience and adaptation needs to be central
to the approach
Environment Bill

8. What we want to achieve….
• For businesses
For example – powers for Payments for Ecosystem services – provide better
support for new markets in environmental services – support Green growth
agenda
• For communities
For example - Natural resource planning will ensure socio-economic factors are
considered in decision making and better targeted investment in local
environments
• For the environment
For example – Natural resource management as a single planning focus will
enhance balanced decision making on the sustainable use land, air and
water resources.
Increased resilience to pressures from climate change and reducing the
effects of climate change.
Environment Bill

9. Forward look
• Policy statement from us in September 2013
• Consultation on the Environment Bill White Paper
in October
• Natural Resource Management conference in
November
• Regional engagement events in December
Environment Bill

10. Contact us
• Visit the website www.wales.gov.uk/naturalresourcesmanagement
• Email the team naturalresourcemanagement@wales.gsi.gov.uk to
receive our regular e-bulletin or to register for our conference
• Follow the Natural Resources Minister on twitter @WG_NatResMin
Thank you / Diolch yn fawr
Laura Fox – Bill Manager
Laura.Fox@Wales.GSI.Gov.UK / 02920 82 5028
Environment Bill