The Sustainable Management of Natural Resources
The Sustainable Management of Natural Resources, or SMNR, is a long-term goal for all of Wales, including industries, local government, and communities.
As a water company, the decisions we make today will affect our customers and the environment we all share for generations to come.
The Challenge
Wales faces many challenges, such as securing energy, creating jobs, tackling poverty and inequality, adapting to climate change, and improving people’s health and well-being. Meeting these challenges needs fresh ideas, and new ways of working. This includes our understanding of how we maintain, improve, and use our natural resources. For Welsh Water to be a more resilient business, and to continue to sustainably undertake our work, we need to work with nature and work in partnership with others to secure long-term benefits for everyone, including the environment. When our environment is working at its best, society thrives.
The Opportunity
The Wales Environment Act, introduces several measures to improve and protect the environment in Wales. It presents a change in methods to support and improve environmental issues; by encouraging a systemic approach and integration with the Future Generations Act, and the Planning Act, using the method of Sustainable Management of Natural Resources.
The 4 Aims of SMNR
To create a framework for SMNR action, NRW have introduced 4 Aims. The four aims are:
- Safeguarded Natural Resources
- Resilient Ecosystems
- A Healthy Environment for People
- A Regenerative Economy
Many of our existing plans and strategies are already delivering against the above aims. See below to understand more about how we are playing our part in a delivering healthy, well-functioning and resilient Wales.
Safeguarding natural resources examples
Check out how we engage with the future generation and resources you can use to educate those around you about the value of water
See how we are working at catchment scale to protect land, rivers and reservoirs to secure your drinking water for years to come here.
See our Water Resources Management Plan and Drought Plan to understand how we are adapting and increasing resilience to changing climates.
Learn more about Combined Storm Overflows (CSOs) and the essential role they play in keeping homes and communities safe from the risk of flooding during heavy rain (which happens more often due to climate change).
Resilient Ecosystems
Read about how we support nature and biodiversity in our Biodiversity Plan
A Healthy Environment for People
Learn how we are working with communities to tailor investment to local needs here
See how we are reducing our carbon footprint and energy costs here
A Regenerative Economy
- Learn more about our 2020-2025 Business Plan
- Welsh Water 2050 Vision
Pilot Studies
As SMNR is a new approach. We are advancing the 4 Aims of SMNR in 4 pilot catchments, each catchment has unique characteristics that allows us and our stakeholders, to test myriad aspects and approaches to SMNR.