If you’re a nature lover, it feels like there’s a lot to be worried about these days. Nature is in decline across most of the world and a recent UK Government Nature Security Assessment report shows that loss of nature is likely to seriously affect food and water security across the UK if declines continue. One in 6 species are at risk of extinction in Wales, according to the 2023 State of Nature report, species like Fen Orchid, Water Vole and Sand Lizard. Other species, such as Atlantic Salmon and Curlew are in critical decline.
That’s why it’s so exciting that in February 2026 the Welsh Government passed a new law that is crucial for reversing the nature crisis, called the Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill. The new law gives the Senedd the power to set ambitious, legally-binding nature recovery targets, bringing a sharper focus, and greater accountability, for protecting and increasing nature in Wales. It also creates a new watchdog (the Office for Environmental Governance Wales) that will be able to investigate concerns from the public and community groups about environmental law.
The new law ensures that:
· Internationally recognised environmental principles, like ‘polluter pays’ and ‘prevention’ will play a fundamental role in all policy decision making in Wales;
· The new Office of Environmental Governance Wales can function as an independent body, empowered to investigate failings in environmental law, and
· Legally binding biodiversity targets must be set within two years, with a focus on nature restoration.
Following the May elections, it will be crucial for the next Senedd to deliver on the ambitions of the Bill. The Seventh Senedd must deliver the statement on how the Environmental Principles will work in practice, make sure the new watchdog (the OEGW) is set up at pace, and deliver robust and measurable targets to restore nature.
It’s been fantastic to see Welsh politicians standing up for nature. Now it’s up to Welsh citizens to make sure they deliver on what they have promised.
A Curlew which are in critical decline