Consultation display

The Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill

Response to the consultation

Evidence submitted in response to this Consultation

Purpose of the consultation

Purpose of the consultation

The Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill (PDF 218KB) (“the Bill”) has been referred to the Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee (“the Committee”) for Stage 1 scrutiny of the general principles of the Bill.

 

According to the Welsh Government, the overarching aim of the Bill is to bring forward measures that will contribute to improvements in the quality of the air environment in Wales and reduce the impacts of air pollution on human health, biodiversity, the natural environment and the economy.  The Bill proposes to:

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>>> provide a framework for setting national air quality targets;

>>> amend existing legislation relating to the national air quality strategy; local air quality management; smoke control; clean air zones/low emission zones and vehicle idling;

>>> place a duty on Welsh Ministers to promote awareness of air pollution; and

>>> place a duty on Welsh Ministers to publish a national soundscape strategy.

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Further detail about the Bill can be found in its accompanying Explanatory Memorandum (PDF 2.0MB)

 

To help inform its scrutiny, the Committee is seeking views on the general principles of the Bill and the need for legislation to deliver the stated policy intention. In particular the Committee is seeking views on:

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>>> The general principles of the Bill and the need for legislation to deliver the stated policy intention;

>>> The Bill’s provisions, including whether they are workable and will deliver the stated policy intention:

>>> National air quality targets (sections 1 to 7)

>>> Promoting awareness about air pollution (section 8)

>>> National air quality strategy (sections 9 to 11)

>>> Air quality regulations (section 12)

>>> Local air quality management (sections 13 to 15)

>>> Smoke control (sections 16 to 18)

>>> Vehicle emissions (sections 19 to 21)

>>> National soundscapes strategy (sections 22 and 23)

>>> Strategic noise map and noise action plans (sections 24)

>>> General provisions (sections 25 to 28);

>>> Any potential barriers to the implementation of the Bill’s provisions and whether the Bill takes account of them;

>>> The appropriateness of the powers in the Bill for Welsh Ministers to make subordinate legislation (as set out in Chapter 5 of Part 1 of the Explanatory Memorandum);

>>> Whether there are any unintended consequences arising from the Bill; and

>>> The financial implications of the Bill (as set out in Part 2 of the Explanatory Memorandum).

 

Submitting your views

The Committee would like to invite you to submit written evidence to assist in its consideration of the Bill.

We would like you to submit your views by completing this online form.

 

A downloadable template is available for you to draft your response before submitting it, if you wish. However, please do not submit your response on that template via email. All responses should be submitted via the online form.

The closing date for submission to this consultation is 28 April 2023.

 

Please refer to the Bill page for further details and up-to-date information on the Bill.

 

Providing Written Evidence

The Senedd has two official languages, Welsh and English.

 

In line with the Senedd’s Official Languages Scheme, the Committee welcomes contributions in both or either of our official languages, and we ask organisations that are subject to Welsh Language standards or schemes to respond in line with their own obligations. Please inform the Committee when submitting responses if you intend to provide a translation at a later date.

 

Please see guidance for those providing evidence for committees.

 

Disclosure of information

Please ensure that you have considered the Senedd’s policy on disclosure of information before submitting information to the Committee.

Contact details

Should you wish to speak to someone regarding this consultation, please use the below contact details:

Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee
Welsh Parliament
Cardiff Bay
Cardiff
CF99 1SN

Email: SeneddClimate@senedd.wales
Telephone: 0300 200 6565