Watchdog warns NRW is falling behind on nature targets
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has been told it needs a “fundamental reset” to deliver on its commitments to protect and expand the network of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).
A new report from Audit Wales found that NRW has designated only 31 new SSSIs since its creation in 2013, despite being aware of many areas that qualify for protection.
The watchdog says staff shortages, fragmented data systems and outdated technology are preventing NRW from meeting the Welsh Government’s target to protect 30% of land, freshwater and sea for nature by 2030. Only 12% of Wales is currently protected.
The Auditor General for Wales, Adrian Crompton, said:
“NRW’s functions are a fundamental part of Wales’s response to the climate and nature emergency. I recognise the financial pressure NRW has been under and the different priorities it has to balance, but SSSI designation is one of the main tools at its disposal to protect nature for future generations.
“If NRW is to deliver on its commitment to enlarging and better connecting the series of SSSIs, its approach needs a fundamental reset to drive increased activity in the years to come.”
The report found that half of all SSSI site features have not been assessed for decades. Of those that have, only 20% are in a favourable condition.
NRW began the 2024-25 financial year with a £9 million staff budget deficit and removed 8% of its workforce as part of cost-cutting measures. Although the Welsh Government later provided an additional £13 million in funding, the report says NRW has yet to explain how it will achieve its aims for nature protection.
Audit Wales made eight recommendations urging Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to overhaul how it protects and manages Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).
The watchdog says NRW must create a clear strategy for expanding and connecting protected sites to help meet Wales’s “30 by 30” nature target, backed by reliable data on site condition and potential new areas.
It calls for a defined staffing model, better sharing of information internally and a more proactive approach to working with landowners and conservation partners.
Audit Wales also recommends that NRW modernise and integrate its outdated digital systems, strengthen risk management, introduce clear performance measures to track efficiency and impact, gather feedback from stakeholders and review how its internal committees oversee SSSI work.
Overall, the report concludes that NRW’s approach needs a fundamental reset, moving from fragmented processes towards a coordinated, well-resourced and accountable programme for nature protection across Wales.
Audit Wales found that without significant change, it could take decades for NRW to designate all the potential sites that may qualify for SSSI protection.
Mary Lewis, NRW’s Head of Natural Resource Management, said: “We welcome the Audit Wales report and its focus on protecting nature for future generations.
“Nature recovery in Wales is a shared mission, and we play a central role. Designating Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) is one of several tools we use alongside other public bodies and organisations to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. It forms part of our wider role to protect the environment and help nature thrive.
“We acknowledge the challenges highlighted in the report such as staff capacity, data gaps, and digital infrastructure. These are real constraints, and we are taking steps to address them through improved planning and prioritisation.
“We recognise a reduction in SSSI notifications since 2013 as, like all public bodies, we have been operating with finite resources as part of wider public sector austerity measures.
“We also took a strategic decision to focus our resources on site management rather than notifications, recognising that the condition of SSSIs was a key issue that needed to be addressed.
“We do need to see further investment in Wales if protected areas are to make the best contribution they can to turn the curve for nature.
“We’re already taking action through our protected sites programme. This includes the recent publication of our evidence report which outlines the next steps on how we will contribute to the Welsh Government’s 30 by 30 Framework, which aims to protect 30 per cent of Wales’ land, freshwater and sea.
“In recent years, we’ve focused on improving the management of existing SSSIs through the Welsh Government’s Nature Networks Programme, working with landowners and partners.
“We’ve also continued to designate new sites, including Mynyddoedd Llangynidr a Llangatwg and Cefn yr Ystrad a Chomin Merthyr – covering more than 7,000 hectares.
“Delivering the 30 by 30 target and recognising new Naturfa areas depends on coordinated action across sectors, communities and organisations. Advocacy plays a vital role in this by helping others understand nature recovery priorities, access evidence, and take action.
“Looking ahead, we’ll be implementing recommendations from both the Audit Wales report and our own work as part of a wider strategy to support nature recovery.
“For SSSIs this includes identifying new priority sites for designation, improving our understanding of the current network along with other nature conservation tools, publishing updated guidance to support faster and more effective notifications, as well as additional staff training and improving our digital systems.
“We’ve also strengthened how we monitor the condition of existing SSSIs. Our updated Terrestrial Monitoring Framework will help us better understand how well sites are being managed, using a mix of in-house expertise, contractor support, and collaboration with partners. This work will support more targeted action and innovation.
“We’re also working to ensure investment is targeted where it can have the greatest impact for nature and communities across Wales.
“Moving forward, we will continue to refine our work around SSSIs to play our part in helping restore nature and tackle the climate and nature emergencies.”
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