How we will demonstrate progress against our corporate plan
Our Corporate Plan to 2030 sets the strategic direction for our organisation and the long-term change we want to see for nature and people to thrive together. The outcomes in this section relate to each Well-being Objective and show how we will turn that ambition into measureable progress.
We outline the key changes we aim to achieve by 2030 and how we will track them over time. This helps us explain the difference our work is making and how we will monitor our impact.
By clearly setting out what we are working towards and how we will measure it, we strengthen transparency, build understanding with partners and communities, and show how today’s actions contribute to lasting improvements for nature, people, and communities.
How we work
|
Our focus |
Our outcome |
Our impact |
|
Our Leadership and Culture |
By 2030, we will lead with clarity and purpose. People will feel trusted, supported and confident to act, helping us deliver for nature, climate and people. We will build strong leadership at all levels and create an inclusive, supportive culture where learning and good judgement guide our work. |
We’ll know we’re succeeding when colleagues feel engaged, leaders model our values and learning becomes part of how we grow as an organisation
|
|
Our Services |
By 2030, our services will be simple, clear and easy to use - helping people work with us and supporting better outcomes for Wales. We will design services around real needs, remove unnecessary barriers and make sure information is accessible for all. |
We’ll know we’re succeeding when services run smoothly across teams and when user feedback helps us improve.
|
|
Our Governance |
By 2030, our governance will be clearer and more aligned with our goals, helping decisions happen at the right pace. We will simplify decisionmaking, clarify roles and ensure governance supports delivery and good risk management. |
We’ll know we’re succeeding when decisions feel simpler, risks are managed earlier and governance helps rather than slows progress.
|
|
Our Communication, Collaboration and Advocacy |
By 2030, NRW will speak with one clear voice - working confidently with partners, communities and government to support collective action. We will listen well, communicate consistently and build trusted relationships that strengthen our influence. |
We’ll know we’re succeeding when partners find us easy to work with, when collaboration delivers results and when our voice helps guide wider action.
|
|
Our Evidence, Data and Insights |
By 2030, evidence will guide decisions made by NRW and our partners - clear, trusted and used early enough to shape better outcomes. We will improve how evidence is collected, maintained and shared so it is easier to find, understand and use. |
We’ll know we’re succeeding when evidence is used routinely at the start of planning, when our data is reliable and when partners draw on our insights.
|
Nature is recovering
|
Our Focus |
Our Outcome |
Our Impact |
|
Nature being respected and valued in decision-making |
By 2030, choices made across Wales will look different. Nature will be thought of from the very beginning, not added on at the end. Protecting wildlife and habitats will feel natural, guided by clear evidence that helps everyone choose with confidence. We will offer strong, simple evidence, clear guidance and early advice so decisions about land, water and sea avoid harm and help ecosystems stay healthy. |
We’ll know we’re succeeding when plans show nature-positive aims clearly, and when Wales regularly chooses paths that protect and strengthen the living world.
|
|
Nature being protected |
By 2030, Wales will have a stronger network of protected places - from coastlines to rivers and hills - where wildlife can recover and thrive. These protections will be clearer and better managed, helping build a more resilient natural environment. We will refresh and apply protections, offer expert advice, and work with partners to manage protected sites through grants, agreements and joint action. |
We’ll know we’re succeeding when protected areas increase, ontheground management improves and connections between habitats grow stronger. |
|
Nature being restored |
By 2030, largescale restoration will be happening across Wales. Habitats will be renewed, wildlife will reconnect, and our natural landscapes - on land and in water - will become stronger and more resilient. We will lead longterm planning, offer clear evidence and restore habitats on land and water we manage. We’ll also support others through grants, agreements and strong partnerships. |
We’ll know we’re succeeding when restored areas can be clearly seen, when longterm plans guide action and when nature networks across Wales begin to recover.
|
|
Nature, people and communities being reconnected |
By 2030, more people will feel closer to nature. Fair access to goodquality green and blue spaces will give communities chances to relax, learn and take part in nature’s recovery. We will improve access on the land we manage, help others create welcoming nature experiences and work with partners to design opportunities shaped by local voices. |
We’ll know we’re succeeding when barriers to access fall, everyday experiences of nature grow and communities play a stronger role in caring for the natural world.
|
|
NRW being an exemplar nature positive organisation |
By 2030, NRW will be a clear and practical leader for nature. The way we manage our land, assets and decisions will improve biodiversity and show what positive action looks like. We will apply naturepositive principles across our work, use our estate to model best practice and use our influence to spark wider change. |
We’ll know we’re succeeding when naturepositive outcomes are easy to see in our work and when others begin to follow the same path.
|
Communities are resilient to climate change
|
Our Focus |
Our Outcome |
Our Impact |
|
Scaling up Nature-Based Solutions |
By 2030, naturebased solutions will be shaping Wales for the better. Restored habitats will store carbon, reduce climate risks and help communities face change with confidence. Healthier wetlands, peatlands, woodlands and rivers will show this change happening. We will restore land and water we manage and support others with evidence, guidance and strong partnerships to deliver naturebased projects across Wales.
|
We’ll know we’re succeeding when a strong pipeline of projects is in place, backed by skills, funding and clear plans.
|
|
Adapting to the Risks and Impacts of Climate Change |
By 2030, Wales will be better prepared for a changing climate. Flooding, drought, coastal change and extreme weather will be anticipated earlier, supported by clear evidence and stronger planning. Communities, infrastructure and nature will grow more resilient as risks are understood sooner and built into decisions. We will assess and share climate risks, regulate waterrelated impacts and manage assets that protect people and nature. We’ll also help others plan ahead through trusted evidence, balanced advice and strong partnerships. |
We’ll know we’re succeeding when climate risks are considered early, regulation prevents problems before they rise, and our assets are managed with the future in mind. Coordinated action will grow, and highrisk areas will see earlier, practical adaptation. |
|
Contributing to the Reduction in Carbon Emissions |
By 2030, lowcarbon choices will be built into how Wales grows and develops. Cleaner options will be considered early, helping us move steadily toward net zero. We will provide good evidence, fair regulation and practical examples of lowcarbon action on our land and assets. We will work with government, industry and partners to guide Wales along a clear path to net zero.
|
We’ll know we’re succeeding when early engagement becomes normal, when permitting supports lowcarbon options and when more lowcarbon projects appear across the NRW estate.
|
|
Sustained Action on Climate Change by People, Communities and Businesses |
By 2030, climate action will be part of everyday life. People, communities and businesses will choose lowercarbon, more resilient options as understanding grows and confidence grows. We will offer clear evidence and guidance, help build skills and work with partners to deliver climate action across places and sectors.
|
We’ll know we’re succeeding when climatefriendly behaviours rise, when decisions show our influence and when partnerships support longlasting action.
|
|
NRW as an Exemplar Carbon-Neutral Public Sector Organisation |
By 2030, NRW will operate as a carbonneutral organisation – a clear sign of what determined public sector action can achieve. Our buildings, fleet, procurement and daytoday work will reflect a steady shift to lowcarbon ways of working. We will cut emissions from our operations, strengthen governance and share what we learn so others can benefit. |
We’ll know we’re succeeding when emissions fall each year, when lowcarbon solutions become normal and when our example helps others move faster.
|
Pollution is minimised
|
Our Focus |
Our Outcome |
Our Impact |
|
Effective Use of Regulatory Tools and Approaches |
By 2030, Wales will feel the benefit of clear and consistent regulation that prevents pollution before it happens. Expectations will be well understood, and decisions will protect people and nature. We will offer clear rules, focus on the highest risks and use the full range of regulatory tools - from early advice to enforcement - to keep the environment safe. |
We’ll know we’re succeeding when compliance rises, harm falls and regulation provides steady, trusted protection.
|
|
Risk-Based Incident Response |
By 2030, serious pollution incidents will be fewer and less harmful because Wales will recognise early warning signs and act quickly. We will use evidence to anticipate danger, guide prevention and respond fast where risks are greatest. We will work with sectors and partners to prevent repeat incidents and reduce harm. |
We’ll know we’re succeeding when serious incidents decline, responses match risk and each event leads to better practice.
|
|
Resource Efficiency and Alternative Materials |
By 2030, Wales will produce less waste and use resources more wisely, reducing pollution at the source. We will support this shift by sharing clear guidance, encouraging lowerimpact materials and using regulation to promote efficiency and circular approaches. |
We’ll know progress is being made when less waste is produced, resource use improves and our advice shapes decisions and investments.
|
|
Sustained Action by People, Communities and Businesses |
By 2030, preventing pollution will feel natural - part of everyday choices at home, in communities and in businesses. We will support this by providing clear guidance, encouraging responsible behaviour and using learning from incidents to raise awareness. |
We’ll know we’re succeeding when pollutioncausing behaviours fall, when more people use our guidance and when partnerships drive longterm prevention
|
|
NRW as an Exemplar Zero-Pollution Organisation |
By 2030, we will operate with zero pollution and low waste, showing how responsible, lowimpact work can look in practice. We will strengthen environmental management, reduce waste and use procurement to support cleaner, more sustainable ways of working. |
We’ll know we’re succeeding when pollution incidents are rare, waste is well managed and our example helps others raise their standards.
|
Other places in Strategies, plans and policies
Last updated