Annual Report On The Business And Environment Action Plan For Wales

The Business and Environment Action Plan for Wales was launched at the end of February 2003.  It derives directly from the Welsh Assembly Government’s sustainable development duty, our working in partnership objectives and the strategic vision for business and the environment as described in the “Setting a Fresh Direction” chapter of “A Winning Wales”.

When I launched the plan in Plenary, I stated that an annual report is automatically scheduled into action plans like this one, and I am therefore very pleased to publish the first of these reports produced in consultation with the steering group set up to implement the plan.

The report clearly illustrates the tangible achievements made in this first year by delivery partners and other agents within the resources management focus of the plan.  Furthermore, the quality and range of activities detailed in the “work in progress” section is a very good indication of further significant benefits to businesses to assist in their take-up of environmental best practice.

An important strategic influence will be provided by the newly formed Expert Panel on Resources Management which will be influential in providing strategic direction and defining the next phase of the action plan’s focus.

Hence, the scope and impact of the plan will no doubt increase over the coming years and it is already an integral part of the Assembly Government’s core policy and strategies.  Consequently, it has a part to play in achieving key aspects of our strategic vision in “Wales: A Better Country”.  In particular, it has a clear delivery role in the recently updated National Assembly sustainable development scheme “Starting to Live Differently” and the Welsh Assembly Government’s sustainable development draft action plan.   The Business and Environment Action Plan also features in the “Wise about Waste” and “A Winning Wales” strategies.

A bilingual annual report accompanies this statement on the Cabinet Statement website.