The Environment (Wales) Act received Royal Assent on March 21st, 2016 and aims to counteract the impacts of climate change by re-positioning Wales as a low carbon, green economy.
The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a report in 2014 (The Fifth Assessment Report), stating that the warming of the atmosphere and ocean systems is unequivocal. The negative impacts from this range from socio-economic human disturbances to a reduction in the diversity of ecosystems.
The Environment (Wales) Act lists a number of purposes such as;
- Helping to reduce emissions in Wales by setting climate change targets
- Placing a requirement on public authorities to find ways to help improve biodiversity
- Improving waste management by achieving higher rates of business waste recycling, better food waste treatment, and increased energy recovery
Local authorities in Wales have been required to consider the conservation of biodiversity within their area in the past, however, the new Act stresses the importance to not only protect but to enhance biodiversity. The act also extends the need to maintain and enhance biodiversity to Welsh Ministers, public bodies and statutory undertakers. Numerous examples are given in the Biodiversity and Resilience of Ecosystems Duty Factsheet such as;
-
- Reduce, re-use, recycle materials, but where products such as paper are bought, ensure that supplies come from sustainable sources – i.e. paper from sustainable forests;
- Raise awareness across an organisation about how each and every role can impact and influence biodiversity and consider measures to enhance biodiversity and ecosystems in all policies, plans, and projects;
- Look for opportunities, whether they are big or small, to help encourage biodiversity – e.g. plant native species, wildflowers areas for pollinators, leaving areas of unmown grass; and improving connectivity between valuable habitats;
- Think about how enhancing biodiversity can help deliver across the organisation’s activities .e.g. to support active recreation, education, flood prevention, and local food growing. For example, green roofs to help provide wildlife habitats, reduce energy consumption and improve drainage systems.
More information about the Environment Act can be found at here. For more information about Acer Ecology’s ecological services call us on 029 2065 0331.
