This week the Welsh Government appointed the second Interim Environmental Protection Assessor for Wales, despite Scotland, Northern Ireland, and England already having permanent offices of environmental protection in place.
Commenting on the interim arrangements, Janet said:
“Despite some efforts from the Welsh Government to address resource issues within the interim office, the Senedd’s Climate Change Committee reached a clear conclusion last Autumn that resource challenges are ongoing.
“The Interim arrangements are not fit for purpose. They don’t have sufficient resources to effectively carry out their existing roles and responsibilities, let alone ensure that the transition to a permanent body is as smooth and efficient as possible.
“At a time when the Welsh Parliament has declared both a nature and climate crisis, it is farcical that the Welsh Government has still not set up a proper Office of Environmental Protection”.
ENDS
