Ss. 6B-6I and cross-heading inserted (27.6.2026) by Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026 (asc 4), ss. 35(1), 46(2)(f)

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/anaw/2016/3/section/6CEnvironment (Wales) Act 2016An Act of the National Assembly for Wales to promote sustainable management of natural resources; to provide for targets for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases; to reform the law on charges for carrier bags; to provide for the separate collection of waste, prohibit disposal of food waste to sewers and provide for prohibiting or regulating disposal of waste by incineration; to make provision about several and regulated fisheries for shellfish; to make provision about fees for marine licences; to establish the Flood and Coastal Erosion Committee; and to make minor changes to the law about land drainage and byelaws made by the Natural Resources Body for Wales.texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2026-07-31Expert Participation2026-06-27PART 1SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCESBiodiversity targets
6CDuty to make regulations setting targets: priority areas(1)

The Welsh Ministers must exercise the power in section 6B to‍ —

(a)

set a long-term target in respect of at least one matter within each of the priority areas in subsection (2)(a) and (b),

(b)

set a short-term target in respect of at least one matter within each of the priority areas in subsection (2)(a) and (b), and

(c)

set a target in respect of at least one matter within each of the priority areas in subsection (2)(c) and (d).

(2)

The priority areas are—

(a)

reducing the risk of the extinction of native species;

(b)

the effective management of ecosystems;

(c)

reducing pollution;

(d)

the quality of evidence to inform decisions relating to biodiversity, access to that evidence and its use and application.

(3)

A target is a “long-term target” if the specified date is at least 15 years after the date on which the target is set.

(4)

A target is a “short-term target” if the specified date is less than 15 years after the date on which the target is set.

(5)

Targets may not be set in respect of a matter within the priority area in subsection (2)(c) if a target may be set in respect of that matter under the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Act 2024 (asc 2).

(6)

In subsection (2)(a), ”native species” has the meaning given by section 6B(7).

(7)

The Welsh Ministers must lay a draft of a Welsh statutory instrument containing the regulations required by this section before Senedd Cymru before the end of the period of‍ 2 years beginning with the date on which the Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026 (asc xx) receives Royal Assent.