Monmouthshire GreenWeb

With the outcome of the public inquiry into the proposed M4 relief road expected soon, lobbying of politicians by supporters and opponents is hotting up.  Wales’ Future Generations Commissioner, Sophie Howe, concerned by the conflict with the need to achieve the Government’s own carbon reduction targets, has renewed her opposition.  She is backing a report that says that the £1.4 billion cost of the motorway would be better spent on an integrated package of sustainable transport measures including public transport and active travel.  The report is available at https://futuregenerations.wales/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/20180912-Transport-Fit-for-Future-Generations-C.pdf

Welsh Government has published the Abergavenny Agri-Urban Action Group’s report for 2016-18 at  https://gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/farmingandcountryside/cap/wales-rural-network/news/abergavenny-agri-urban-integrated-action-plan/?lang=en.  The plan aims to be a guideline for food development in the Abergavenny area, with proposals including a Food Hub centre of excellence bringing producers and consumers closer together.

Environet Cymru is changing its name – to Invest in Nature Cymru (www.wcva.org.uk/invest-in-nature-cymru). They will still offer a free signposting and advice service and promote the work of environmental and community groups through their digital network. However, the new name will tie in with an important strand of their work, which is to demonstrate how care of our natural world underpins all our prosperity and well-being.

Natural Resources Wales’ Area Statements are now live at https://naturalresources.wales/about-us/area-statements/?lang=en.

Welsh Government has reversed a decision to cut its National Park budget and announced a set of priorities for the Parks and AONBs – including a refreshed woodland strategy, halting the loss of biodiversity, a greater focus on green energy and decarbonisation, and realising the economic potential of the landscape, boosting tourism and outdoor recreation.