Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Act 2024
| Act of Senedd Cymru | |
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| Long title | An Act of Senedd Cymru to make provision for improving air quality in Wales; for a national strategy for assessing and managing soundscapes in Wales; and for connected purposes. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 2024 asc 2 |
| Introduced by | Julie James MS, Minister for Climate Change |
Status: Current legislation | |
| History of passage through the Senedd | |
| Text of the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Act 2024 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk. | |
The Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Act 2024 is an act of Senedd Cymru relating to the improvement of air quality and the management of soundscapes.
Context
In the 2021 election, the manifestos of both Plaid Cymru and Labour proposed a Clean Air (Wales) Act before the next Senedd election.[1] The legislation is the first legislation in the United Kingdom relating to the management of soundscapes.[2]
Provisions
The legislation requires the establishment of national air quality targets and [3] Local authorities are required to conduct annual air quality reviews, declare Air Quality Management Areas and if standards aren't met establish action plans.[4]
The act requires Welsh ministers to publish a national strategy for managing soundscapes and reducing noise pollution.[1]
Reception
The Secretary of State for Wales criticised the legislation, describing the provisions relating to clean air zones as economically harmful to rural communities.[5]
References
- ^ a b McVay, Martin (1 January 2024). "The Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Act 2024". Noise Mapping. 11 (1) 20220183. doi:10.1515/noise-2022-0183. ISSN 2084-879X.
- ^ Price, Stephen (29 November 2023). "Bill to tackle air and noise pollution passed by Senedd". Nation.Cymru. Archived from the original on 27 February 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
- ^ Mosalski, Ruth (26 September 2023). "Road charging will be a 'last resort' in Wales". Wales Online. Archived from the original on 5 August 2025. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
- ^ "New Welsh Government guidance strengthens local air quality and noise responsibilities". Deeside.com. 31 July 2025. Archived from the original on 5 August 2025. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
- ^ Shipton, Martin (9 February 2024). "Welsh Secretary David TC Davies accuses Labour of planning to introduce road charging on Welsh motorways and trunk roads". Nation.Cymru. Archived from the original on 24 February 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2025.