Diolch, Lywydd. I very much welcome this debate on the state of nature report and I’m happy to support the motion. I do recognise the important work done by the state of nature partnership and thank them for producing this very important report. I also appreciate the vital and important work undertaken by volunteers in Wales, whose efforts in monitoring and recording species and habitats have also contributed to this report.

Whilst the state of nature report highlights the decline in a number of species and habitats in Wales, and the root causes of those declines, the report is certainly not all negative. It notes a number of species that have been recovered in the last 20 years, such as the coal tit and nightjar, with the evidence also showing bats in Wales appearing to do well.

In our marine environment, whilst the report does note some declines, it also highlights that more than half of the marine species in UK seas have increased. The Welsh Government has long recognised the issues with respect to the decline in biodiversity. Our commitment to reverse this decline by building ecosystem resilience is key to the delivery of our nature recovery plan for Wales. This will only be achieved through embedding biodiversity throughout decision-making at all levels, building on the contribution biodiversity makes to our well-being.