Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs
Everyone in Wales has their own ‘cynefin’ - a place where identity and belonging are connected, whether on the land or at sea. The resilience of these places, and the communities connected to them, depends on the resilience of the ecosystems that support them. That is why we must protect the space ecosystems need to become resilient.
I am pleased to have recently published our 30by30 Framework for Wales, developed in collaboration with stakeholders. The framework sets out our approach to protecting 30% of our land, freshwater, and seas for people and nature by 2030. It provides clear, consistent criteria for areas that will contribute to it.
To count towards the 30by30 target, areas must deliver real, lasting outcomes for both nature and people. This includes fully representing biodiversity, supporting key habitats, species, and ecosystem processes, and forming a connected, resilient, network that allows nature to recover and thrive. Management must be evidence-based and adaptive. It must be shaped by inclusive, equitable, and transparent decision-making, contributing to the sustainable management of our natural resources. Achieving enduring protection is essential to securing lasting benefits for future generations whether through legal agreements, or alternative means such as long-term, operational management plans.
Example areas counting towards 30by30 include our Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), provided they are in a recovering or favourable condition, and areas within our National Parks and Landscapes managed effectively for nature. Additionally, we are seeking to recognise and empower voluntary areas that are achieving equivalent biodiversity gains outside of traditional designations - known internationally as “Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs)”. These are a new way of protecting nature, recognising exceptional stewardship and not imposing additional regulation - this is a “bottom up” not a “top down” approach. I look forward to working collaboratively with stakeholders to enable their contributions to 30by30.
In this Senedd term, we have invested over £150 million into our land, freshwater, and seas, helping deliver our nature recovery ambitions including 30by30.
In our marine environment, we have strengthened protection through strategic planning, targeted funding, and empowering communities. The Marine Protected Areas Network Management Grant Scheme is supporting projects to improve management of pressures, directly enhancing site condition and building resilience for the future. For example, funding has been awarded to North Wales Wildlife Trust to develop a Saltmarsh Network Action Plan, driving forward saltmarsh restoration efforts across Wales. Another example of collective action supported by Welsh Government funding is the additional £100,000 awarded to Seagrass Network Cymru. This investment is enabling the development of a National Seagrass Action Plan which aims to halt seagrass loss and restore 266 hectares by 2030.
To ensure these efforts are sustained and upscaled over time, we are investing in the infrastructure and partnerships needed for long-term delivery. We have funded a MARINE Fund Development Manager to source blended and private finance for marine recovery projects. The forthcoming Coastal Co-ordinator Challenge Fund will further support participatory and deliberative engagement in coastal communities, ensuring that 30by30 is shaped by those who live and work by the sea. Earlier this year, we supported the launch of ‘Y Môr a Ni’, the ocean literacy framework for Wales - only the second of its kind in the world.
Marine planning is evolving to better support biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. We have recently announced a new spatial assessment of Welsh seas, bringing together the best available evidence to inform marine planning. This will increase our understanding of marine natural resources, identify potential conflicts and synergies between key marine sectors and assess their interaction with Marine Protected Areas. In parallel, we are undertaking a study to explore how marine developments can deliver ‘marine net benefit’ - ensuring that new developments contribute positively to marine biodiversity.
On land, we are supporting landscape-scale action that builds ecosystem resilience. Nearly £1 million has been awarded to farmer-led partnerships through the Integrated Natural Resources Scheme (INRS) to develop innovative, landscape-scale activity, including improving the connectivity and condition of protected sites. Since 2022, £11.7 million has been invested in our Designated Landscapes through the Sustainable Landscapes, Sustainable Places fund, restoring habitats from peatlands to meadows. This year, we are also investing £1.8 million in the new Ffermio Bro scheme to support farmers in developing a range of collaborative nature-friendly projects.
These investments reflect our commitment to delivering meaningful, lasting outcomes for people and nature. As set out in our framework, achieving effective protection and management of 30% of our land, freshwater, and seas must be a people-led effort - one that delivers for both current and future generations. I look forward to working with Members and delivery partners to realise this shared ambition: a 30by30 built by, and for, the people of Wales.
This statement is being issued during recess in order to keep members informed. Should members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Senedd returns I would be happy to do so.