Biodiversity in Merthyr Tydfil County Borough

The Environment (Wales) Act 2016 and the Section 6 Duty

Section 6 of the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 introduced an enhanced biodiversity and resilience of ecosystems duty (the S6 duty) for public authorities in the exercise of their functions in relation to Wales.

This means that public authorities must seek to ‘maintain and enhance biodiversity’ wherever possible within the proper exercise of their functions and in doing so; seek to promote the ‘resilience of ecosystems’.

Key to compliance with the S6 duty is embedding biodiversity into decision making at all levels.  This should start at the corporate level, where early thinking and planning should seek to maintain and enhance biodiversity, preventing its loss in the first instance. 

Reporting

Every three years, under section 6(7) of the Environment (Wales) Act 2016, all public authorities are required to publish a report on what they have done to comply with the S6 duty.

Welsh Government (WG) required a report to be produced and published online by the end of 2019 and thereafter every three years.

The Biodiversity and Resilience of Ecosystems Duty Report 2026 was approved by MTCBC in July 2026 (this document details the actions undertaken by the Council in relation to the S6 duty between 2023 and 2025). NB this document represents the latest iteration of the S6 report.

Following approval of the S6 report, MTCBC has met its duty under Section 6 of the Environment (Wales) Act 2016 for the period 2022-2025. Ongoing and further actions will be required to meet the duty moving forward towards the next reporting deadline in 2028.

The Merthyr Tydfil Nature Recovery Action Plan (MTNRAP)

The MTNRAP outlines a strategic approach to halt and reverse the decline of biodiversity within the Merthyr Tydfil County Borough. Building on existing efforts and recognizing the area's unique natural and industrial legacy, this plan aims to create a more resilient, nature-rich environment that supports both wildlife and the well-being of its communities.

Key objectives include enhancing priority habitats, recovering key species, improving water quality, fostering climate resilience, and deepening community engagement with local nature.

The MTNRAP includes awareness raising, education, data collection, sustainable development and ecological connectivity.

The Merthyr Tydfil Couty Borough Council Nature Recovery Action Plan (2019-2024) was adopted by MTCBC in January 2020.

An updated version of the MTNRAP has been produced and is due for publication in 2026. This will be an online document able to be updated in real time, responding to new legislation, planning policy and best practice guidance. Stakeholders within the Merthyr Tydfil Biodiversity Partnership will use this as a living document, adding specific project details, and more precise timelines.

Merthyr Tydfil Biodiversity Partnership

The Merthyr Tydfil Biodiversity Partnership was formed to help implement and realise the vision, goals and objectives of the Merthyr Tydfil Nature Recovery Action Plan (see above).

The partnership is made up of representatives from Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council (including the Biodiversity Team and the County Ecologist), along with a range of individuals, community groups, voluntary, government, and non-government organisations.

If you would like to join or find out more about the Merthyr Tydfil Biodiversity Partnership or would like more information on the Merthyr Tydfil Nature Recovery Action Plan, please contact the Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Ecologist and / or the Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council Biodiversity Officer.