Section 5 - Reporting on targets
30.Section 5 sets out the reporting duties that are placed on Welsh Ministers in relation to long-term targets set under section 1 and PM2.5 air quality targets set under section 2.
31.Subsection (1) provides that regulations under sections 1 and 2 must set a reporting date for any target that is set under those regulations. On or before the reporting date for each target, the Welsh Ministers must lay one of three statements before Senedd Cymru (and publish that statement):
A statement, under section 5(3)(a), that the target has been met.
A statement, under section 5(3)(b), that the target has not been met. Within 12 months of laying this statement, the Welsh Ministers must, under subsections (4) and (5), lay a report before Senedd Cymru explaining why the target was not met and what steps they have taken, or intend to take to make sure that the specified standard under that target is achieved as soon as reasonably practicable. The Welsh Ministers must also publish this report.
A statement, under section 5(3)(c), that the Welsh Ministers cannot determine whether the target has been met. This statement must also explain why the Welsh Ministers have not been able to make this determination and the steps they intend to take in order to be able to do so. Within 6 months of laying this statement, the Welsh Ministers must, under subsection (6), lay a further statement before Senedd Cymru confirming whether or not a target has been met or that they cannot determine whether it has been met. Subsections (3) to (6) apply to any further statement in the same way as they apply to a statement made under subsection (2). The Welsh Ministers must also publish the further statement.
