Urgent Action Needed to Protect Wales’ Natural Resources, Experts Warn
In the face of escalating climate, nature, and pollution emergencies, experts from Natural Resources Wales (NRW) have issued an urgent call for collective action to safeguard Wales’ natural resources. This follows the release of the interim State of Natural Resources Report (SoNaRR 2025), a significant step in understanding and protecting the environmental assets that underpin daily life in Wales.
The report, a requirement under the Environment Act, is published every five years by NRW. It evaluates the pressures on Wales’ ecosystems, their quality, and their contributions to human well-being. The interim SoNaRR 2025 covers essential elements such as water quality, air purity, land and marine ecosystems, urban green spaces, and biodiversity.
While the full report is slated for publication at the end of the year, the interim version highlights the challenges, priorities, and opportunities for sustainable natural resource management. It provides the latest evidence on urgent environmental issues and notes milestones achieved since the 2020 report.
Escalating Challenges
The report identifies the accelerating loss of biodiversity, climate change, and pollution as the most pressing threats. These issues not only jeopardize the environment but also pose significant risks to public health and economic stability across Wales.
Despite some progress in areas such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing recycling rates, and Wales’ commitment to reach net zero, the evidence of nature’s decline is stark. This decline directly impacts the well-being and prosperity of communities, making immediate action imperative.
Calls for Systemic Change
NRW emphasizes the need for systemic changes to address these challenges. Sir David Henshaw, Chair of NRW, underlined the urgency of the situation:
“Natural resources are the lifeblood of Wales, underpinning everything from the air we breathe and the food we eat to the industries that fuel our economy. But, as this evidence report underlines, these resources are coming under increasing strain.
The publication of this interim report has to signal a pivotal moment in Wales’ journey toward a more sustainable future for these natural resources. While the challenges we face are well documented and undeniable, there is also a great opportunity for action.”
As Wales approaches the 2026 Senedd elections, the interim report calls for collective efforts across governments, businesses, and communities to embed sustainability into decision-making and policy implementation.
Evidence-Based Guidance
The SoNaRR 2025 report is based on extensive analysis and the latest data, prepared by NRW experts with input from stakeholders across Wales and beyond. The final report aims to serve as a comprehensive resource for guiding sustainable management of natural resources.
Derek Walker, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, reinforced the need for urgent action:
“We all want those we care about to have access to clean air, water and soil, and we all want healthy, accessible and affordable food for current and future generations. Yet this important report warns nature loss, climate change, pollution and waste and their impacts are getting worse.
Most of the solutions for saving nature already exist and I’m urging Welsh Government and public bodies to use this essential route marker, published in the 10th year of the Well-being of Future Generations Act, to collectively act now with urgency.”
Walker also highlighted the importance of investing in community-owned nature schemes that reduce inequality while delivering tangible benefits for future generations.
Looking Ahead
The full SoNaRR 2025 report, expected by the end of the year, will provide deeper insights and actionable recommendations. It will be a critical tool for Welsh Government and public bodies to shape strategies for reversing environmental damage and fostering a sustainable future.
To learn more, visit Natural Resources Wales or explore the interim SoNaRR 2025 report here.
As NRW’s findings demonstrate, the time for action is now. By working together across all sectors, Wales can ensure a healthier and more resilient future for its natural resources and communities.