Natural Resources Wales calls for urgent action on climate and nature crises

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has issued a stark warning about the increasing strain on the nation’s ecosystems, citing pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change as the most pressing challenges.
The call comes in its interim State of Natural Resources Report (SoNaRR) 2025, which urges immediate collective action to safeguard Wales’ natural resources for future generations.
Pollution in the River Dee and its surrounding basin features prominently in the report.
Wastewater, agricultural runoff, urban pollution, and abandoned mines are significant contributors to poor water quality.
NRW warns that these pressures not only threaten aquatic ecosystems but also impact communities reliant on the river for water supply, recreation, and economic activity.
Progress has been made in some areas, with 40% of Welsh surface and groundwater bodies achieving “good” status in 2021—a notable increase from 32% in 2009.
However, NRW stresses the need for sustained efforts to tackle ongoing pollution challenges, particularly in vital waterways like the Dee.
Broader Environmental Challenges
The interim report paints a bleak picture of nature’s health in Wales.
The accelerating loss of biodiversity and the intensifying effects of climate change are compromising ecosystems’ ability to provide essential services, such as carbon storage, flood mitigation, and clean air and water.
NRW reports that species abundance in Wales has declined by 20% since 1994.
These trends, combined with increasing global greenhouse gas emissions, highlight the urgent need to address environmental degradation.
The report outlines key steps to protect Wales’ natural resources:
- Nature-Based Solutions: Expanding the use of sustainable interventions, such as restoring salt marshes, peatlands, and woodlands, to mitigate flooding and improve biodiversity.
- Strengthening Environmental Policies: Ensuring that government decision-making prioritises nature recovery and integrates climate adaptation strategies.
- Public Engagement: Encouraging communities to participate in conservation efforts and adopt more sustainable practices.
- Pollution Control: Enhancing measures to prevent agricultural and urban runoff from contaminating rivers and waterways.
Sir David Henshaw, Chair of NRW, said:
“Natural resources are the lifeblood of Wales, underpinning everything from the air we breathe and the food we eat, to the industries that fuel our economy. But, as this evidence report underlines, these resources are coming under increasing strain.
“The publication of this interim report has to signal a pivotal moment in Wales’ journey toward a more sustainable future for these natural resources. While the challenges we face are well documented and undeniable, there is also a great opportunity for action.
“As we look towards the publication of the full report at the end of the year, and a Senedd election in 2026, the evidence outlined in this interim report provides a clear roadmap for what can be done to reverse the damage and build a healthier, more prosperous future for Wales.
“Taking preventative action will be crucial if we are to achieve that goal. But by coming together—government, business, and society—and by putting the right strategies, policies, and investments in place, there is significant potential to improve the state of Wales’ natural resources and ensure their benefits continue for generations to come.”
The SoNaRR2025 report draws on years of analysis and the latest data to assess the state of Wales’ natural resources.
Compiled by NRW experts with input from Welsh stakeholders and global research, it aims to inform policies and actions to address environmental challenges.
Derek Walker, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, said:
“We all want those we care about to have access to clean air, water and soil, and we all want healthy, accessible and affordable food for current and future generations. Yet this important report warns nature loss, climate change, pollution and waste and their impacts are getting worse.
“Most of the solutions for saving nature already exist, and I’m urging Welsh Government and public bodies to use this essential route marker, published in the 10th year of the Well-being of Future Generations Act, to collectively act now with urgency.
“Cymru can do so much more now to restore nature and wildlife for the sake of our health, economy and culture, including by investing in community-owned nature schemes that reduce inequality and create tangible benefits for people today and tomorrow.”
The full State of Natural Resources Report 2025, due later this year, will build on these findings and provide detailed evidence and recommendations for action across Wales.
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