- £10m to restore biodiversity, create jobs and strengthen
community connections with the natural environment.
- New Climate and Nature Plan to deliver net zero by 2040 and
substantive nature recovery by 2050.
- Active work underway to secure a multi-annual budget for the
Sustainable Farming Scheme.
The Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability, , has today (Tuesday 23 June
2026) set out his priorities for action on climate, nature and
rural communities across Wales.
Speaking in the Senedd, the Minister confirmed more than £10m of
investment into the Nature Networks Fund, which will restore
biodiversity, create jobs and strengthen connections between
communities and their natural environment.
He also announced that work has already begun on an ambitious
Climate and Nature Plan, to set out the actions to deliver net
zero by 2040 and substantive nature recovery by 2050.
The plan will embed climate and nature action as Cabinet-level
responsibilities across all portfolios, including housing,
transport, health and the economy.
Priority actions include tree planting and peatland restoration,
delivery of the National Peatland Action Programme, and the
development of a new Flood Resilience and Preparedness Forum for
Wales to coordinate a national approach to flooding.
Proposals for a new statutory duty on rural proofing will also be
brought forward, while a Rural Development Strategy will tackle
poverty and create new opportunities across Wales.
The new Welsh Government is working to secure a multi-annual
budget for the Sustainable Farming Scheme, to give the farming
community the certainty it needs.
A new National Food Strategy for Wales will also build food
security, strengthen supply chains and support the food and drink
industry.
Earlier this week, the Minister met with children from schools in
Barry as they learned about coastal defences, erosion and sea
level rise. He said:
The extreme heat we are experiencing this week is a reminder that
climate change is not a future risk it is already affecting
people, nature, communities and public services across Wales.
Seeing young people in Barry learning about coastal change
brought home why we must act now. They are growing up in a Wales
where extreme weather, flooding, pressure on nature and changes
to our coastline are becoming more visible. Our job is to respond
with ambition, honesty and practical action.
Our Climate and Nature Plan will put climate and nature at the
heart of decision-making across government; from housing and
transport to health, food and the economy.
"Clean air, clean water, healthy soils and thriving ecosystems
are not optional extras. They are the foundations of our economic
opportunities, supporting secure jobs, warmer homes and
sustainable food production.
"Family farms are the beating heart of our rural communities and
the backbone of the rural economy. I want to reduce the
bureaucratic burden on them and have already appointed to lead an independent review
to cut unnecessary red tape so time can instead be spent on
things like managing stock or planning for the future.
I am committed to listening, working in partnership and
delivering practical change shaped by the people who know their
communities best."
