Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I would like to begin by thanking the petitioners who raised this very important issue, and also to the Petitions Committee for its thoughtful consideration of the matter.

The Welsh Government fully recognises the vital role that areas of outstanding natural beauty and national parks play in Wales, and is supportive of potential new designations, where appropriate. AONBs, whilst perhaps sometimes seen as the poorer relation of national parks, offer many of the same advantages and protections. AONB teams are often skilled at convening a range of partners to deliver improvements for a landscape area. Arguably, because they have fewer statutory responsibilities such as planning powers, they can be more agile and focus on practical work on the ground. In recent years, we've recognised the power of AONBs to work closely with partners and communities and scaled up the amount of funding we provide to them. Through our sustainable landscapes, sustainable places and sustainable development fund schemes, we have funded a range of biodiversity, decarbonisation, tourism and community projects, totalling over £5 million for the last three years.

The Cambrian mountains of mid Wales are clearly an area of great beauty and tranquillity, as well as being of great importance for the Welsh language and for farming. The petition articulately sets out some of the qualities of this landscape, and I welcome this debate on its future. I'm sure colleagues are aware that the process to designate a new national park in north-east Wales started last year. I expect this to be the focus for efforts around landscape designation for the remainder of this Senedd term. Designation is an exhaustive and detailed process. We also have much to do to improve and empower current designations to contribute more significantly to combating the nature and climate crises. Our areas of outstanding natural beauty and our national parks will be key delivery agents as we seek to meet the 30x30 biodiversity target and improve much more of our land so nature can thrive.

We are, of course, facing climate and nature emergencies, and if we do not think differently about our future, for example taking responsibility for meeting our energy needs in more sustainable ways, these landscapes will not be preserved. This is why we are committed to increasing renewable energy generation. We need to work together as a nation to think differently and find solutions to the challenges we all face. Responsibility for recommending designation of AONBs and national parks rests with Natural Resources Wales. This is set out in legislation, both in the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 and the Environment Act 1995. It is important that the designation process, once commenced, is rigorous, objective and transparent. There would need to be a strong demonstration of support locally for NRW to commence the designation process, including from the relevant local authorities and local communities. I appreciate the petition the Cambrian Mountains Society has presented does indeed demonstrate a large amount of support both locally and nationally. However, it is not something I'm aware the area's elected representatives have campaigned on or the local authorities in the area have expressed a view on. Those views are very important to hear as NRW considers if it would be appropriate to look at designation for the Cambrians in the future.

It is also worth pointing out that a large percentage of the Cambrian mountains is already subject to strict protection. According to 2015 figures, 17 per cent of the Cambrian mountains are designated as a site of special scientific interest, with nearly 90 per cent of the SSSI area also designated under the European habitats directive as a special area of conservation, or a special protection area, or both. There are also several local and national nature reserves.

It would not be appropriate for me to agree to designate a new AONB here and now, but I'm open to a dialogue as we explore what we need and want from our landscapes. I'm very grateful to organisations such as the Cambrian Mountains Society, who work tirelessly to campaign for and promote the protection of some of our most cherished landscapes. I have asked my officials and officers from NRW to meet with the society to discuss their campaign in more detail. I understand a meeting has been scheduled for next week, and I would be keen to get feedback on that discussion. [Interruption.]