Written - Launch of the consultation period for the Second Environment Strategy Action Plan 2008 - 2011

I am delighted to announce that this consultation will be launched on Monday 7 July 2008, inviting comments on a proposed second Environment Strategy Action Plan. This is a short web-based consultation and a copy of the consultation document is attached for your information. The document will be available on the Assembly Government website.

The Welsh Assembly Governments Environment Strategy and first Action Plan launched in May 2006 sets the framework of where we are trying to get to in twenty years time to maintain our valued environment, and achieve the economic and social opportunities it offers. In March 2008 we published an update of the first year’s progress on the Strategy and Action Plan which shows that we have made clear progress on environmental improvement

We are going in the right direction in a number of areas but we must do more. There are enormous challenges which face us all and which require committed and joined -up working across all sectors, not just Government.

That is why the second Action Plan has been structured to set out planned progress on priority work to deliver the Environment Strategy. We have sought to avoid issues which are being covered by parallel work for example on climate change and waste or are being progressed through ongoing statutory work.

The Action Plan focuses on ten areas of activity and these themes are all key priorities under the Environment Strategy and set out a strategic approach and a clear rolling programme of activity which will assist in driving action and engaging stakeholders. There are a number of actions under each theme to set out what will practically be done to deliver the Strategy outcomes. These actions have been developed through engagement with a wide range of partners and I would like to thank all of those who responded to the pre-consultation and to my Environment Strategy Reference Group for providing their invaluable independent expertise.

This Action Plan highlights that the Environment Strategy is a document for all of Wales and that progress on the Environment Strategy outcomes depends on joint working with all partners. We intend to formally report on the Environment Strategy Action Plan in 2010 to recognise the longer–term nature of the Action Plan.

I intend to formally launch the new Action Plan in September 2008.