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Business News Wales
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Business News Wales
Future Generations Commissioner Urges Action on Wales Environment Bill
A landmark opportunity to protect and restore nature in Wales could fail without crucial targets to save wildlife, the Future Generations Commissioner is warning. Derek Walker says a new piece of legislation lacks the legal force needed to guarantee long-term action. The draft Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill, currently under scrutiny in the Senedd, does not include a legally binding target to drive the recovery of nature – a gap that environmental advocates and the commissioner say must be addressed before it is passed. The Commissioner is presenting evidence to the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee as part of the Stage One scrutiny of the Bill. He is calling for the inclusion of a headline nature recovery target on the face of the legislation, warning that leaving target-setting to future governments could delay urgent action for years. The commissioner's Future Generations Report, published in April, recommends setting a headline target now to drive delivery from day one, provide clarity of purpose, and create a long-term obligation on future governments to continue restoring biodiversity. Mr Walker highlights that species abundance—a key indicator of ecosystem health—is in sharp decline in Wales. One in six species including water voles are at risk of extinction, and native species like the curlew and Atlantic Salmon are in critical decline, according to the State of Nature Report. The Commissioner supports a proposal from Wales Environment Link that species abundance be adopted as the headline measure of biodiversity health, with interim and long-term deadlines to track progress. The target in law for nature's recovery should also come with a clear plan of action and long-term funding arrangements, he says. Mr Walker said: 'A clear, measurable target for nature tells the story of what this law is really about—recovering nature and doing so urgently. 'Adding a nature recovery target to the law now would be a critical step toward a greener, healthier future for Wales and ensure we are taking all the action to increase nature across every part of Welsh life, whether we're planning for nature recovery, recreation, food growing or improving our health. 'Targets create momentum, drive accountability, and ensure that every sector plays a role. Without one, we're deferring action and leaving nature's future to chance. 'There's already a precedent for this measure elsewhere in the UK. We need to send a message now that nature matters—not just today, but for generations to come.' Mr Walker said a nature target would drive collaborative and integrated action towards nature's recovery in the same way the Net Zero by 2050 target is driving decarbonisation from the public and private sectors. Without this target written into the Bill, the process of establishing statutory targets would be left to a future Senedd, with an estimated timeline pushing implementation as far as 2029, the Commissioner said. Campaigners warn this could undermine Wales' commitment to protect 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030. Research shows spending time in nature boosts mental and physical wellbeing—and thriving ecosystems are essential for clean air, water, food, and climate resilience. In Pembrokeshire, the Outdoor Health Project run by Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum, connects patients with green spaces to support their recovery, while Llandough Hospital has created therapeutic meadows to enhance healing. The commissioner is also calling for preventative funding in health to be ringfenced. Wrexham Council's tree and woodland strategy uses the Tree Equity Score, a free tool mapping nature such as tree cover, which is at its lowest in disadvantaged areas, while also showing impact from air pollution and heat disparity – the areas that will suffer from the greatest impact of heat and cold. Public bodies can use the tool for planning, while people can check it to see how their area scores for access to nature. 'When there's a target, it's added to the risk register—suddenly, you have a seat at the table. That's when change really begins to happen,' said Anthony Rogers, Biodiversity Implementation Officer, Pembrokeshire Nature Partnership. People can have their say before the consultation on the Bill closes on July 30, 2025.
BBC News
20-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Could swift bricks help bird populations grow?
In the last 50 years, combined bird populations in the UK and England have declined by 16%. That is almost 73 million fewer breeding birds compared to 1970.A government committee is due to consider an amendment to the planning and infrastructure bill which could make so-called "swift bricks" - which provide homes for a variety of cavity nesting birds - compulsory in any new-build developments greater than 5m (16ft) in think the government will turn its back on nature over fears of being seen as "too woke" by those on the right of politics. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government told the BBC: "We are unable to comment on the amendment at this stage, as this is still being considered." In 2020, swifts were added to the UK's red list of birds at most need of populations declined by 66% between 1995 and Betton has been a birdwatcher for more than 50 years and is a member of Hampshire's Ornithological Society. He said birds were currently struggling to cope with a change in climate and reduced insect populations."This is partly because they don't have enough insect food, we use a lot of insecticides these days," he to the latest State of Nature Report - changes in the way we manage our land for farming, and climate change were the biggest causes of wildlife decline on our land, rivers and Defra said bird populations have long provided a good indication of the broad state of wildlife. Swifts are not the only birds at to the British Trust for Ornithology, the numbers of house martins have reduced by 44% over the past three arrive in the UK in early spring - April and May - to breed, and then migrate south to Africa in the autumn."Many places where birds want to nest have literally been taken away," said Mr Betton."People very often clean away house martin nests off the walls of building."We need to do everything we can to help them have an easier time when they get here." Among conservation measures approved by wildlife experts are swift bricks which provide a cavity for swifts and house martins in new-build developments, and cost about £ part of her campaign to introduce a law requiring all new-build homes to have at least one swift brick, Hannah Bourne-Taylor walked through London, twice, wearing only pants and paint with swift-themed after support from Conservative Lord Zac Goldsmith - who first tabled an amendment to a previous planning and infrastructure bill - Mrs Bourne-Taylor fears Labour might turn down the amendment to this Bourne-Taylor, from Chipping Norton, Oxford, said she thought it was out of fear of being seen as "too woke"."I really hope the rumours aren't true but I've heard that Labour deem swift bricks, or anything to do with nature 'too woke' in the context of Reform polls shooting upwards," she said."Nature shouldn't be woke or anti-woke. It's just a crisis for the birds that we can easily solve." A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government told the BBC: "We are unable to comment on the amendment at this stage, as this is still being considered.""The National Planning Policy Framework already expects developments to provide net gains for biodiversity, including support for priority or threatened species such as swifts, bats and hedgehogs."The planning and infrastructure bill still has two more sessions at the committee stage before it goes through to the commons. Ms Bourne-Taylor said despite an amendment there were things we could and must do to help. Blashford Lakes in Hampshire is home to an abundance of wildlife across its site, and at Ibsley Water, a new swift tower has been installed. Jack Medley, a reserve officer for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, is one of the people behind the project. "We identified this area as a really important place. Lots of potential for swifts and house martins."They use the site already and forage over the lakes for an array of different insects, but Mr Medley said the only thing missing was somewhere for them to breed. "They don't have to be on towers, people can put boxes on the side of their house. They can put these artificial cups on the side of their house as well," he said. Mr Medley said he was worried about bird populations as they are part of the character of the UK and he believes everyone can play a part in making sure they are not lost."Whether it's putting up a box or helping out with some volunteering," he said."What can you do on your patch to make a difference?"Everyone, if we can all work together, we can make a difference." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
