What is the Welsh Government’s intention regarding the setting of biodiversity targets under the Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill before the next election?
The Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill is due to receive Royal Assent in April 2026. The Bill includes a provision to set biodiversity targets by regulations within 3 years of Royal Assent. This provision will come into force two months after Royal Assent, which will be June 2026, after the next election.
To ensure targets are both ambitious and achievable, work on target development has already commenced. Working with stakeholders, delivery partners and the Biodiversity Targets Advisory Panel, we are scoping target areas and currently undertaking a programme of scenario modelling to determine target levels and metrics.