Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:57 pm on 12 October 2021.
Diolch, Joyce. Thank you very much for that. I'm delighted to be asked that question. I recently had the privilege of launching with the First Minister the Elsevier report on Wales's research performance on the UN sustainable development goals, and it was a really interesting meeting. I have been shown, as a result of meeting the scientists that were present at the launch, the land cover map for Wales, which is available to Members—and we can make sure that it's placed in the Library or circulated—which does exactly as you've just suggested: it shows the living map of Wales over time. So, it shows us the changing landscape, where the canopy is, where the hedgerows and greens are, and how urban sprawl is changing the nature of the landscape in Wales. So, you're absolutely right: we need to know what we've got now in order to be able to protect what we've got now and enhance it. We also are able, from this map, to see—and I'm afraid it's quite stark—how much has been lost over the last few years, and so it's a good wake-up call. So, I recommend both the Elsevier report and the maps to Members, and I'm very grateful, Joyce, to you for giving me the opportunity to highlight it.