On Tuesday, July 9th, Wales’s First Minister Vaughan Gething outlined the Senedd’s legislative priorities for the rest of its term. A clear stand-out from the proposal was the introduction of the Environmental Principles and Biodiversity Bill, also known as the Nature Positive Bill, which will finally impose a legal binding to environmental responsibility and commitment. But where did this legislative initiative originate, and what implications does it have for future climate actions?
After the UK departed from the EU, Wales was left puzzled about its future trajectory for a new environmental framework, having previously declared a climate emergency in 2019 regarding the severe decline in biodiversity and natural crises. Since then, local communities, international organisations, and scientists have called for a commitment to be nature positive, resulting in progressive initiatives made by the Senedd to restore ecological damages and tackle climate change, including legislation in the agricultural sector and improving air quality. Believed to be unique in its approach to environmental protection, the 2024 White Paper on governance and biodiversity targets has set out its proposals to establish an independent body to scrutinise the implementation of climate legislation as well as a set of ambitious targets to halt and reverse environmental damages in Wales. The ultimate goal of the Paper was to introduce a bill ensuring environmental principles are embedded in law, mandating compliance by businesses and organisations.
And this is what the Nature Positive Bill will set out to do. The bill will aim to establish a statutory environmental governance body that is independent of the Welsh Government with impartiality. The body will be overlooking the implementation of new ecological legislation, handling cases from the public, conducting investigations, and scrutinising existing works delivered by ministers, businesses, and organisations. Yet, the more crucial aspect of the bill is arguably its explicit commitment to halt and reverse environmental damages by 2030, aiming for a clear recovery in 2050. The bill is expected to arrive in Spring 2025 with a positive attitude to deliver just and green transitions to the future.
In its aims of making the UK’s commitments in 2022 to halt and reverse nature loss enforceable by law, the Welsh Positive Nature Bill has many core similarities to our own Climate and Nature (CAN) Bill. Most obviously, the CAN Bill also prioritises holistic targets for increasing the health, abundance, diversity, and resilience of species, populations, habitats, and ecosystems, so that nature is visibly and measurably on the path of recovery by 2030. Both bills stem from the recognition of Britain and Wales as some of the most nature-depleted countries in the world and the importance of a proportionate and urgent governmental response to the climate and nature crises. Our campaign efforts for the CAN Bill are also mirrored in the Positive Nature Bill’s campaign, spearheaded by passionate grassroots campaigners, as well as hundreds of local and national organisations. This is how we build power, and the time for change has come.
Slowly but surely, the tides are turning for nature. As with the EU Nature Restoration Law adopted in June, we are witnessing more environmental protection policies becoming enshrined in law — but our planet cannot afford to keep waiting. The Positive Nature Bill proves that ambitious, grassroots leadership focused on people’s concerns can bring about significant change. The Welsh government has stated that this move demonstrates its “continued commitment to tackling the nature and climate emergency by establishing a statutory environmental governance body for Wales and introducing legal targets to protect and restore biodiversity”.
With climate and nature at the forefront of so many constituents’ minds this General Election, the announcement of this bill ignites a new hope for Keir Starmer’s Labour Party to deliver on its promises to deliver changes for nature. Labour in Wales have delivered a plan to halt and reverse nature loss; Now is the time for Westminster to follow the Welsh example, and sign the Climate and Nature Bill into law.
Written by Emma Do and Sarah Ali
