The Deputy First Minister calls it 'An ambitious and transformational piece of legislation'

Published 26 November

The Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) Bill (Wales) was voted through to Stage 2 in the Senedd on 11 November – an important milestone. This Bill will fill gaps in Wales’ legislation that were created on our exit from the European Union, by setting Environmental Principles into law and founding the Office of Environmental Governance Wales (OEGW), a new environmental watchdog. The Bill will also set out a framework within which, future governments will set Biodiversity Targets, which must provide the ambition and drive to address the nature and climate emergency by restoring Wales’ biodiversity.

There was wide-ranging support in the Senedd during this debate, with members from the three largest parties (Welsh Labour, Welsh Conservatives and Plaid Cymru) speaking in favour of the Bill’s progression, while simultaneously calling for it to go further in its ambition. It was emphasised that Wales urgently needs ambitious targets that will drive nature restoration, and that the OEGW must be independent and sufficiently funded in order to hold government to account.

RSPB Cymru, as well as our colleagues at Wales Environment Link, WWF and Green Alliance, were mentioned in the debate as having been at the forefront of the push to make this Bill better. Over the past few months, we have advocated for a better deal for nature in Wales. Last week’s debate showed that these discussions have been productive, with many of our recommendations inspiring proposed amendments to the Bill.

In his opening statement, the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs set out the areas where Government will bring forward amendments. These aligned closely with our demands in all three parts of the Bill, and with the recommendations of the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee.

They address key issues including:

• broadening the application of the environmental principles;
• ensuring the OEGW is fully and visibly independent of the Welsh Government and clearly stating how people can challenge failures by public bodies to comply with environmental laws;
• reducing the timeframe in which both long- and short-term biodiversity targets have to be laid

This signals a welcome, collaborative approach from government that we hope will lead to significant strengthening of the new law.

In Stage 2, the process of amending the Bill begins, with amendments to be tabled both by the Welsh Government and by opposition MSs. Despite this broad support for the Bill, we cannot become complacent. With only a few months left before the dissolution of the Senedd prior to the May 2026 election, there is no time for delay. The Bill has the potential to become a key piece of legislation for nature in Wales, but we must see the Senedd work together to create strong legal systems and embed high ambition, ensuring a nature-positive legacy for the Sixth Senedd.