Fersiwn Gymraeg ar gael yma
2024 has been a year of political change in Wales. We've seen three First Ministers and a new Labour Government at Westminster. Amidst all the change we've been advocating for nature at the Senedd and Westminster and it's been a busy year for nature campaigning. Here are some of the highlights...
Farming and the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS)
It's been a huge year for farming in Wales. In December 2023 the Welsh Government launched its consultation on the Sustainable Farming Scheme, a unique opportunity to help farmers in Wales produce food sustainably while tackling the nature and climate emergency. In February, nearly 500 of you joined us in person or online at our eight SFS workshops around Wales, resulting in many subsequent consultation submissions to the Welsh Government. Thanks again to everyone who attended and gave their time to respond.
In May it was announced that the SFS launch would be delayed by a year. Although the delay was disappointing, we welcomed the opportunity that this extra time could bring to further develop the Scheme. In November, it was confirmed that the Scheme would pay farmers to manage at least 10% of their land for wildlife and to maintain their Sites of Special Scientific Interest, which is vital for both habitat and species recovery in Wales. However, it was also announced that the 10% woodland cover target would be dropped. This is concerning, as is the lack of clarity around how funding will be split between different layers of the scheme. As a result, we feel there is still no distinct plan outlining how the scheme overall will help Wales meet its 2030 biodiversity commitments. In 2025 we’ll continue to work with the Welsh Government and the rural sector, ensuring that our campaigners’ voices are heard, and that the scheme is as effective as possible for farmers, for people and for nature.
Nature Positive Bill
In January this year, the Welsh Government announced a consultation on the White Paper for a Bill on environmental principles, environmental governance and nature recovery targets, which we have called the ‘Nature Positive Bill’. This Bill is urgently needed to address the gap in environmental protection and governance that arose in Wales when the UK left the EU, and to embed nature recovery goals in law to drive action for our biodiversity, in line with global commitments.
Between March and April over 1,000 of you stepped into action, joining us for a webinar and speaking up urging the Welsh Government to ensure the legislation is robust and ambitious enough to achieve a Nature Positive Wales. Later in spring we worked with Climate Cymru who created a film which asked people to share their favourite childhood nature memories and share what they’d like future generations to experience in nature. It’s been wonderful to hear your deep personal connections and nature memories, which spur us all on to fight for Wales’ nature.
In August, the Welsh Government published and update on the Bill. It has many positive aspects and commits to working with stakeholders to further develop key areas. But there is much work to do to ensure the Bill introduces the right targets to drive nature’s recovery and this will be a priority for us in 2025.
Seabird Conservation Strategy
Throughout the year, we’ve continued to work with the Welsh Government and others towards the creation of a Seabird Conservation Strategy for Wales, which we are hopeful will be published in the new year. The creation of such a strategy has been a key ask for the RSPB for many years, as seabirds face an ever-increasing range of threats, including climate change and increased marine development. Integral to this will be providing a long-term solution for the biosecurity of Wales’ seabird islands.
Swifts
The end of this year has seen success with the petition we’ve been asking you to support, urging the Welsh Government to legislate that Swift bricks should be installed in all new builds. Sadly, Swifts have declined by 72% in Wales over the last 30 years and without more nesting options, Swifts will disappear. Incorporating Swift bricks into all new developments would help Swifts (and other struggling birds like House Martins and Sparrows) to recover, so thank you to 10,930 of you who have signed and shared this petition, meaning that the Petitions Committee will consider the issue for debate. We’ll update you as things develop.
These are just a handful of advocacy highlights from RSPB Cymru’s 2024 and it’s shaping up to be a very busy 2025, so follow us on social media and make sure you’re signed up as an RSPB ‘campaign champion’ to receive our Action for Nature campaign news, to help save the nature you love and protect it for the future.
Diolch yn fawr, thank you for all your support this year - we couldn’t do it without you!