Meetings

Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill

This page gives details of any meetings held which will, or did, discuss the matter, and includes links to the relevant Papers, Agendas and Minutes.

Note: Meeting Agenda can change at short notice. Particularly where future meeting dates are indicated more than a week in advance. Please check before planning to attend a Committee Meeting that the item you are interested in has not been moved.

 

 

Meeting: 11/12/2025 - Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee (Item 2.)

Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill - Stage 2 Proceedings

Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs

Naomi Matthiessen, Bill Senior Responsible Owner and Policy lead for Governance and Principles, Deputy Director, Landscapes, Nature and Forestry Division - Welsh Government

Alice Teague, Deputy Director, Marine and Biodiversity Division, Policy lead for Biodiversity - Welsh Government

Dorian Brunt, Lead Lawyer, Legal Services, Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill Lead Lawyer - Welsh Government

Joel Scoberg-Evans, Lawyer, Legal Services, Lead Lawyer for the Biodiversity provisions - Welsh Government

 

Documents relevant to Stage 2 proceedings will be available on the Bill page.

Meeting: 11/11/2025 - Plenary (Item 8.)

The financial resolution in respect of the Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill

NDM9039 Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore)

To propose that Senedd Cymru, for the purposes of any provisions resulting from the Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill, agrees to any increase in expenditure of a kind referred to in Standing Order 26.69, arising in consequence of the Bill.

Supporting documents:

Report of the Finance Committee

Government response to the Finance Committee report

 

Meeting: 11/11/2025 - Plenary (Item 7.)

The general principles of the Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill

NDM9038 Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore)

To propose that Senedd Cymru in accordance with Standing Order 26.11:

Agrees to the general principles of the Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill.

The Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill and Explanatory Memorandum were laid before the Senedd on 2 June 2025; the report of the Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee on the Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill was laid before the Senedd on 24 October 2025.

Supporting documents:

Report of the Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee

Report of the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

 

Meeting: 05/11/2025 - Finance Committee (Item 2.10)

2.10 PTN 10 - Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill: Welsh Government response to the Finance Committee's report - 31 October 2025

Supporting documents:

Meeting: 20/10/2025 - Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee (Item 9)

9 Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill: Draft report

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The Committee agreed its draft report subject to minor changes.

Meeting: 16/10/2025 - Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee (Item 1)

1 Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill - Consideration of the Committee's Stage 1 draft report

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

1.1 Members agreed the draft report subject to a few minor amendments.

Meeting: 13/10/2025 - Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee (Item 10)

10 Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill: Draft report

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered its draft report and agreed to consider a revised version at its next meeting.

Meeting: 09/10/2025 - Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee (Item 2)

2 Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill

Supporting documents:

Meeting: 01/10/2025 - Finance Committee (Item 8.)

8. Financial implications of the Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill: Consideration of draft report

Supporting documents:

Meeting: 22/09/2025 - Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee (Item 6)

6 Correspondence from the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs: The Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The Committee noted the correspondence from the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs.

Meeting: 18/09/2025 - Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee (Item 4)

4 Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill

Supporting documents:

Meeting: 18/09/2025 - Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee (Item 2)

2 Stage 1 scrutiny of the Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill - Evidence session with the Welsh Local Government Association

Jean-Francois Dulong, Senior Policy Officer (Climate Change Mitigation & adaptation) - Welsh Local Government Association

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

2.1 The Committee received evidence from a representative of the Welsh Local Government Association.

Meeting: 18/09/2025 - Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee (Item 3)

Stage 1 scrutiny of the Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill - Evidence session with the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs

Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs

Naomi Matthiessen, Bill Senior Responsible Owner and Policy lead for Governance and Principles, Deputy Director, Landscapes, Nature and Forestry Division - Welsh Government

Alice Teague, Deputy Director, Marine and Biodiversity Division, Policy lead for Biodiversity - Welsh Government

Dorian Brunt, Lead Lawyer, Legal Services, Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill Lead Lawyer - Welsh Government

Joel Scoberg-Evans, Lawyer, Legal Services, Lead Lawyer for the Biodiversity provisions - Welsh Government

Minutes:

3.1 The Committee received evidence from the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs and his officials.

Meeting: 18/09/2025 - Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee (Item 6)

6 Consideration of key issues arising from Stage 1 scrutiny of the Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

6.1 The Committee considered the key issues paper and agreed conclusions and recommendations.

Meeting: 17/07/2025 - Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee (Item 4)

4 Stage 1 scrutiny of the Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill - Evidence session with the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales

Derek Walker - Future Generations Commissioner for Wales

Rhiannon Hardiman, Policy Lead Climate, Nature, Economy and Food - Future Generations Commissioner for Wales

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

4.1 The Committee received evidence from the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales.

Meeting: 17/07/2025 - Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee (Item 5)

5 Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill

Supporting documents:

Meeting: 17/07/2025 - Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee (Item 3)

3 Stage 1 scrutiny of the Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill - Evidence session with public bodies

Mary Lewis, Head of Natural Resource Management Policy - Natural Resources Wales

Neil Parker,  Team Leader, Biodiversity Policy & Strategy - Natural Resources Wales

Beth Stoker, Director of International Evidence and Advice - Joint Nature Conservation Committee

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

3.1 The Committee received evidence from public bodies.

Meeting: 17/07/2025 - Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee (Item 2)

2 Stage 1 scrutiny of the Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill - Evidence session with environmental organisations

Ruth Chambers, Senior Fellow - Green Alliance

Annie Smith, Head of Nature Policy and Casework - RSPB Cymru

Alexander Phillips, Policy & Advocacy Manager - WWF Cymru

 

Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill: consultation responses

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

2.1 The Committee received evidence from environmental organisations.

Meeting: 14/07/2025 - Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee (Item 5)

5 Correspondence to the Welsh Government: Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The Committee noted the correspondence to the Welsh Government.

Meeting: 09/07/2025 - Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee (Item 3)

3 Stage 1 scrutiny of the Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill - Evidence session with environmental bodies

Lynda Warren, Interim Environmental Protection Assessor for Wales - IEPAW

John Henderson, Deputy Interim Environmental Protection Assessor - IEPAW

Dame Glenys Stacey, Chair - Office for Environmental Protection

Natalie Prosser, Chief Executive Officer - Office for Environmental Protection

Mark Roberts, Chief Executive - Environmental Standards Scotland

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

3.1 The Committee received evidence from environmental bodies.

Meeting: 09/07/2025 - Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee (Item 2)

2 Stage 1 scrutiny of the Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill - Evidence session with academics

Professor Steve Ormerod, Professor in Ecology - Cardiff University

Dr Victoria Jenkins, Associate Professor, Hillary Rodham Clinton School of Law - Swansea University

Dr Viviane Gravey, School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics - Queens University Belfast

Professor Robert Lee, Director of Education for the Centre for Environmental Research and Justice at the University of Birmingham – on behalf of the UK Environmental Law Association (UKELA)

 

Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill: consultation responses

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

2.1 The Committee received evidence from academics.

Meeting: 02/07/2025 - Finance Committee (Item 5)

Financial implications of the Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill: Consideration of evidence

Minutes:

5.1 The Committee considered the evidence received.

Meeting: 02/07/2025 - Finance Committee (Item 3)

3 Financial implications of the Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill: Evidence session

Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Welsh Government

Naomi Matthiessen, Deputy Director, Landscapes, Nature and Forestry Division, Welsh Government

Alice Teague, Deputy Director,  Marine and Biodiversity Division, Welsh Government

 

Supporting documents:

Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill, as introduced (PDF 413KB)

Explanatory Memorandum (PDF 2.2MB)

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

3.1 The Committee took evidence on the financial implications of the Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill from Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Welsh Government; Naomi Matthiessen, Deputy Director, Landscapes, Nature and Forestry Division, Welsh Government; and Alice Teague, Deputy Director,  Marine and Biodiversity Division, Welsh Government.

Meeting: 30/06/2025 - Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee (Item 7)

Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill: Consideration of evidence

Minutes:

The Committee considered the evidence it heard from the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs in relation to the Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill. The Committee agreed to write to the Deputy First Minister with questions not reached in the session.

Meeting: 30/06/2025 - Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee (Item 2)

2 Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill: Evidence Session with the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs

Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill, as introduced

Explanatory Memorandum

Statement of policy intent

 

Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs

Naomi Matthiessen, Deputy Director, Landscapes, Nature and Forestry Division, Welsh Government

Alice Teague, Deputy Director, Marine and Biodiversity Division, Welsh Government

Bernadette Payne, Lawyer, Legal Services, Welsh Government

Joel Scoberg-Evans, Lawyer, Legal Services, Welsh Government

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received evidence from the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs in relation to the Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill. The Committee also noted a submission from the Green Alliance in relation the Bill.

Meeting: 26/06/2025 - Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee (Item 2)

2 Stage 1 scrutiny of the Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill - Evidence session with the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs

Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs

Naomi Matthiessen, Bill Senior Responsible Owner and Policy lead for Governance and Principles, Deputy Director, Landscapes, Nature and Forestry Division - Welsh Government

Alice Teague, Deputy Director, Marine and Biodiversity Division, Policy lead for Biodiversity - Welsh Government

Dorian Brunt, Lead Lawyer, Legal Services, Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill Lead Lawyer - Welsh Government

Joel Scoberg-Evans, Lawyer, Legal Services, Lead Lawyer for the Biodiversity provisions - Welsh Government

 

Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill – Bill Summary (PDF 1.05MB)

Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill, as introduced (PDF 413KB)

Explanatory Memorandum (incorporating the Regulatory Impact Assessment) (PDF 2.2MB)

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

2.1 The Committee received evidence from the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs and his officials.

Meeting: 11/06/2025 - Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee (Item 3)

3 Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill

Supporting documents:

Meeting: 11/06/2025 - Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee (Item 5)

5 Stage 1 scrutiny of the Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill - Technical briefing

Naomi Matthiessen, Bill Senior Responsible Owner and Policy lead for Governance and Principles,

Deputy Director, Landscapes, Nature and Forestry Division - Welsh Government

Matt Edwards, Legislative Policy Lead - Welsh Government

Eifiona Williams, Head of Programmes, Biodiversity - Welsh Government

Karen Stothard, Head of International Biodiversity - Welsh Government

Joel Scoberg, Lawyer – Legal Services - Welsh Government

 

Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill, as introduced (PDF 413KB)

Explanatory Memorandum (PDF 2.2MB)

Statement of policy intent (PDF 350KB)

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

5.1 The Committee received evidence from Welsh Government officials.

 

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