Environment (Wales) Act 2016

32 Emissions targets and carbon budgets: principles

(1) The Welsh Ministers must—

(a) set each interim emissions target at a level that they are satisfied is consistent with meeting the 2050 emissions target, and

(b) set the carbon budget for each budgetary period at a level that they are satisfied is consistent with meeting—

(i) the 2050 emissions target, and

(ii) the interim emissions target for any interim target year that falls within or after that budgetary period.

(2) The Welsh Ministers may not make regulations changing the 2050 emissions target, an interim emissions target or a carbon budget unless at least one of the following conditions is met—

(a) they are satisfied that it is appropriate to make the change as a result of significant developments in—

(i) scientific knowledge about climate change, or

(ii) EU or international law or policy relating to climate change;

(b) the change has been recommended by the advisory body;

(c) the change is in connection with provision made under section 35(1) or 37(2).

(3) When making regulations changing the 2050 emissions target, or setting or changing an interim emissions target or a carbon budget, the Welsh Ministers must have regard to—

(a) the most recent report under section 8 on the state of natural resources in relation to Wales,

(b) the most recent future trends report under section 11 of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 (anaw 2),

(c) the most recent report (if any) under section 23 of that Act (future generations report),

(d) scientific knowledge about climate change,

(e) technology relevant to climate change, and

(f) EU and international law and policy relating to climate change (including international agreements on measures designed to limit increases in global average temperatures).

(4) Sections 49 and 50 make provision about advice that the Welsh Ministers must obtain from the advisory body and take into account before making regulations changing the 2050 emissions target or setting or changing an interim emissions target or a carbon budget.