The Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill 2023 has now been introduced in the Welsh Parliament. The Bill proposes an obligation to introduce a national soundscapes strategy, making Wales the first UK nation to do this. The strategy, when introduced, must include policies for assessing and reducing levels of noise pollution. By including soundscapes within this Bill, the Welsh Government is following their objective to work to align noise, soundscape and air quality policy.
Climate Change Minister Julie James said:
“This will put onus on Welsh Government to make policies that not only tackle unwanted noise, but also protect sounds that matter to people, like the relaxing calls of birdsong and nature, or the welcoming hum of a vibrant town centre. The soundscapes strategy is in response to emerging science on the impacts of sounds on our health and well-being, as well as that of animals. If passed, Wales will be the first country in the UK to introduce such plans.”
The IOA welcome the recognition by Wales of the importance of considering the quality of soundscapes in the places we live, work and play as part of the need to continue efforts to control noise pollution. Alongside air pollution, noise is an important environmental factor impacting human health and wellbeing. This reflects an awareness of the growing evidence that sound affects people’s connection to place, how we benefit from the sounds of the nature around us and how acoustics needs to be considered in creating and maintaining healthy urban and rural environments.
The Welsh Parliament’s Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee has launched a call for written evidence on the general principles of the Bill and the need for legislation to deliver the stated policy intention.
Details of the consultation may be found here
Track progress of the Bill here
