http://www.legislation.gov.uk/asc/2026/4/contentsEnvironment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026enStatute Law Database2026-07-16Expert Participation2026-06-27 Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 28(5)(a)Planning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf Cynllunio (Darpariaethau Canlyniadol) (Cymru) 2026Sch. 3 para. 80(a)Sch. 5 Pt. 1s. 5(2)Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 28(5)(c)Planning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf Cynllunio (Darpariaethau Canlyniadol) (Cymru) 2026Sch. 3 para. 80(b)Sch. 5 Pt. 1s. 5(2)Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 11Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 46(4)(5)s. 46(6)(c)Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 12Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 46(4)(5)s. 46(6)(c)Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 13Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 46(4)(5)s. 46(6)(c)Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 14Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 46(4)(5)s. 46(6)(c)Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 15Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 46(4)(5)s. 46(6)(c)Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 16Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 46(4)(5)s. 46(6)(c)Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 17Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 46(4)(5)s. 46(6)(c)Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 18Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 46(4)(5)s. 46(6)(c)Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 19Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 46(4)(5)s. 46(6)(c)Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 20Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 46(4)(5)s. 46(6)(c)Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 21Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 46(4)(5)s. 46(6)(c)Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 22Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 46(4)(5)s. 46(6)(c)Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 23Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 46(4)(5)s. 46(6)(c)Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 24Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 46(4)(5)s. 46(6)(c)Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 25Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 46(4)(5)s. 46(6)(c)Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 26Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 46(4)(5)s. 46(6)(c)Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 27Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 46(4)(5)s. 46(6)(c)Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 28Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 46(4)(5)s. 46(6)(c)Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 29Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 46(4)(5)s. 46(6)(c)Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026Sch. 1 para. 10Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 46(4)(5)s. 46(6)(b)Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026Sch. 1 para. 21Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 46(4)(5)s. 46(6)(b)Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026Sch. 2 para. 1Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 46(4)(5)s. 46(6)(c)Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026Sch. 2 para. 2Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 46(4)(5)s. 46(6)(c)Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026Sch. 4 para. 5Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026Deddf yr Amgylchedd (Egwyddorion, Llywodraethiant a Thargedau Bioamrywiaeth) (Cymru) 2026s. 46(4)(5)s. 46(6)(d) Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026 PART 1ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVE AND PRINCIPLES1Environmental objective2Environmental principles3Welsh Ministers’ duties when making policy4Natural Resources Wales’ duties when making policy5Environmental assessments: public authorities’ duties6Environmental principles and integrating environmental protection statement7Environmental principles and integrating environmental protection statement: procedural requirements PART 2THE OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE WALESThe Office of Environmental Governance Wales8Establishment of the Office of Environmental Governance Wales9Independence of the OEGW10General purpose etc.11Duty to prepare and publish strategyMonitoring, reporting and advising functions12Monitoring and reporting13Advising the Welsh Ministers14Advice, guidance and assistance on environmental lawInformation notices15Information noticesRepresentations16RepresentationsInvestigations17InvestigationsCompliance notices18Compliance notices19Urgent compliance notices20OEGW’s review of compliance notices21High Court review after failure to take specified actionImprovement reports and improvement plans22Improvement reports23Improvement reports: content24Improvement plansCo-operation duties25Co-operation dutiesDisclosure of information and confidentiality26Disclosure of information to the OEGW27Confidentiality requirements: the OEGW28Confidentiality requirements: public authorities29Application of Environmental Information Regulations 2004Staff transfer schemes30Staff transfer schemesInterpretation31Meaning of “environmental law”32Meaning of “public authority”33Meaning of “effectiveness of environmental law”34Meaning of “failing to comply with environmental law” PART 3BIODIVERSITY TARGETS, ETC.35Biodiversity targets36Public authorities’ duties37Welsh Ministers’ plans under section 6 of the Environment Act38Reports under section 6 of the Environment Act39Evaluation report40Promoting awareness of biodiversity PART 4GENERAL41Power to make consequential etc. provision42Regulations43Service of notices and other documents44General interpretation45Consequential amendments46Coming into force47Short title SCHEDULE 1THE OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE WALESPART 1STATUS1StatusPART 2MEMBERSHIP2Members3Disqualification4Terms of non-executive members5Removal etc. of non-executive membersPART 3STAFF6Chief executive7Other staffPART 4APPOINTMENT REQUIREMENTS8Appointment requirements9Disapplication of appointment requirements: interim membersPART 5COMMITTEES AND DELEGATION10Review committee11Other committees and sub-committees12Joint committees13DelegationPART 6PROCEDURE ETC.14Procedure15Validity of proceedings and actsPART 7FINANCIAL MATTERS16Funding17Accounting officer18Accounts19Audit20Examination into use of resourcesPART 8REPORTING REQUIREMENTS21Annual reportPART 9SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS22Register of interests23Supplementary powers SCHEDULE 2THE OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE WALES: STRATEGY1Content2Procedural requirements SCHEDULE 3STAFF TRANSFER SCHEMES1Power to make staff transfer schemes2Modification of staff transfer schemes3Duty to lay staff transfer schemes before Senedd Cymru4Interpretation SCHEDULE 4CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS1Environment Act 1995 (c. 25)2Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32)3Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 (nawm 1)4Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 7)5Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 (anaw 2) Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Act 2026 2026 asc 4 An Act of Senedd Cymru to make provision about environmental principles and the integration of environmental protection; to establish the Office of Environmental Governance Wales with powers to ensure public authorities’ compliance with environmental law; to make provision for the setting of biodiversity targets; and for connected purposes. [27 April 2026]

Having been passed by Senedd Cymru and having received the assent of His Majesty, it is enacted as follows: