The Environment (Wales) Act 2016 received Royal Assent on 21 March 2016. This is a significant new environmental law measure, reflecting the widening impact of devolution in the areas of environment, energy and planning, as noted in the Spring 2016 edition of our Environment and Energy Law Newsletter.
The act contains important measures on managing Wales’ natural resources. It provides Natural Resources Wales (“NRW”) with a new statutory purpose related to the principles of sustainable management of natural resources, and new powers on land management agreements and experimental schemes. Public authorities will have new duties to maintain and enhance biodiversity.
There will be a new statutory framework on climate change and greenhouse gas reduction, tougher rules on waste recycling, and some changes to the implementation of the carrier bag charge, including the use of civil sanctions.
There will be new provisions on shellfish fisheries, fees for marine licences, a new Food and Coastal Erosion Committee and changes to land drainage and to NRW bylaws.
For further information on the detail of the new legislation, please contact William Wilson, Barrister or Michael Barlow, Partner.