This Act makes provision with respect to a wide variety of matters regarding the environment in Wales including: the sustainable management of natural resources (includes animals, plants and other organisms, air, water and soil) climate change and targets for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases from Wales; collection and disposal of waste; shellfish fisheries; marine licensing; land drainage. It amends the Natural Resources Body for Wales (Establishment) Order 2012 so that sustainable management of natural resources becomes the core purpose of the Natural Resources Body for Wales and inserts sections 26B 26D into the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 so as to, among other things, require the Welsh Ministers to establish the Flood and Coastal Erosion Committee. The Flood and Coastal Erosion Committee replaces Flood Risk Management Wales, the regional flood and coastal committee in Wales established under section 22 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010.
The Act defines sustainable management of natural resources" and sets out its principles. It places a duty on public authorities to seek to maintain and enhance biological diversity and a duty on the Welsh Ministers to publish, review and revise lists of living organisms and types of habitat in Wales, which they consider are of key significance to sustain and improve biodiversity in relation to Wales. the Environmental Protection Act 1990 is amended to so as to prohibit the disposal of food waste to sewers. The Sea Fisheries (Shellfish) Act 1967 is amended to, among other things, insert a new section on the protection of marine habitats.