Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Act 2024

1. Introduction

2. Summary and Background

3. Commentary on Sections

   1. Part 1 – Air quality

      1. Chapter 1 – National targets

         1. Section 1 – Air quality targets: general

         2. Section 2 – Air quality targets: particulate matter

         3. Section 3 – Target-setting process

         4. Section 4 - Effect of targets

         5. Section 5 - Reporting on targets

         6. Section 6 - Review of targets

         7. Section 7 - Monitoring progress towards meeting targets

         8. Section 8 – Maintaining air quality standards

         9. Section 9 – Reporting in relation to section 1

      2. Chapter 2 – Other provision

         Promoting awareness

         1. Section 10 - Promoting awareness about air pollution

         2. Promoting active travel

            1. Section 11 – Promoting active travel as a way of reducing or limiting air pollution

         3. National air quality strategy

            1. Section 12 - Power to change review period for strategy

            2. Section 13 - Consultation on review of strategy

            3. Section 14 - Duty to have regard to strategy

         4. Air quality regulations

            1. Section 15 - Consultation on air quality regulations

         5. Local air quality management

            1. Section 16 - Local authority air quality reviews

            2. Section 17 - Action plans in relation to air quality management areas

            3. Section 18 - Welsh Ministers’ powers of direction

         6. Smoke control

            1. Section 19 – Regulation of smoke and fuel in smoke control areas

            2. Section 20 – Guidance for local authorities in relation to smoke control areas

            3. Section 21 - Further provision relating to smoke control

   2. Schedule 1

      1. Part 1

      2. Part 2

      3. Part 3

      4. Vehicle emissions

         1. Section 22 – Trunk road charging schemes

         2. Section 23 – Further provision relating to trunk road charging schemes

   3. Schedule 2

   4. Section 24 – Stationary idling offence: fixed penalty

   5. Part 2 – Soundscapes

      National soundscapes strategy

      1. Section 25 - National strategy on soundscapes

      2. Section 26 – Duty to have regard to national strategy on soundscapes

      3. Section 27 – Power to change cycles for making strategic noise maps and reviewing noise action plans

   6. Part 3 - General

      1. Section 28 – Power to make consequential, transitional etc. provision

      2. Section 29 – Regulations

      3. Section 30 – Coming into force

      4. Section 31 – Short title

4. Record of Proceedings in Senedd Cymru