Wales is drawing up its first Climate and Nature Action Plan – and the Welsh Government says the twin challenges of climate change and nature loss must be tackled together.

The announcement has particular relevance for North Wales, which has experienced a series of extreme weather pressures this year, including prolonged dry conditions, wildfires and record-low river flows.

Natural Resources Wales declared drought status across North Wales in July after successive heatwaves and widespread wildfires placed increasing pressure on the environment.

The areas covered by the declaration included North Gwynedd, Ynys Môn, South Gwynedd, the Dee catchment in Wales, Clwyd and the Upper Severn. NRW said the decision followed continued hot and dry weather, record-low river flows and mounting impacts on the natural environment.

NRW had previously warned that the prolonged dry weather was affecting rivers, groundwater levels, fisheries, wildlife and land management across the region.

The new Climate and Nature Action Plan is intended to bring together action on issues such as climate resilience, biodiversity, sustainable farming, water, communities and the transition to a low-carbon economy.

It will set out a cross-government programme aimed at supporting Wales's ambition for net zero by 2040 and substantive nature recovery by 2050.

For North West Wales, climate adaptation is already a recognised regional issue.

NRW's North West Wales Area Statement identifies severe drought, increased wildfire risk, pressure on water resources and impacts on wildlife and natural habitats among the challenges facing the region.

It also highlights the vulnerability of coastal communities, with North West Wales containing 45.5% of the total length of the Welsh coastline. Fairbourne in Gwynedd is specifically identified as a community facing significant climate change impacts.

The region's rivers and coastline are also central to the challenge.

NRW's latest State of Natural Resources Report says climate change is expected to bring warmer, wetter winters, hotter and drier summers and more extreme weather events across Wales.

It says vulnerable environments include mountains, moorlands, heathlands and coastal areas, while adaptation measures such as peatland restoration and nature-based flood management could help build resilience.

The report also highlights the Upper Conwy catchment as an example of work already taking place to use nature-based solutions to restore natural processes, improve environmental quality and make communities more resilient to climate change.

Water is another major concern for the region. NRW says climate projections point towards reduced summer rainfall and increased winter rainfall, creating a combination of greater drought pressure and increased flood risk.

Its latest assessment says almost 353,000 properties across Wales could be at risk of flooding by 2120, while sea-level rise is expected to increase the risks of coastal flooding, erosion and damage to infrastructure.

The new Climate and Nature Board will be chaired by Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability Llyr Gruffydd.

The board will bring together external expertise to help shape the plan, provide constructive challenge and support coordination across government.

Mr Gruffydd said climate change and nature loss should not be treated as separate problems.

He said the plan would involve people, communities, partners and organisations in developing solutions and would focus on tackling the causes of the challenges as well as their symptoms.

The Welsh Government says the plan will also support wider priorities including healthier communities, more resilient places, cleaner air and water, warmer homes, green jobs and skills, sustainable food and farming and stronger rural resilience.

For North Wales, the issues are particularly tangible. The region is simultaneously dealing with the pressures of a changing climate on its mountains, rivers, coastline, farming communities and wildlife – while towns and villages face the practical consequences of flooding, drought, wildfire and coastal change.

The challenge for the new plan will therefore be not simply reducing emissions, but ensuring communities and the natural environment are better prepared for the climate impacts that are already being experienced.

NRW's evidence makes clear that climate adaptation and nature recovery are increasingly interconnected. Its latest assessment says there is an urgent need for joined-up action which can reduce flood risk, improve biodiversity and strengthen resilience at the same time.

The Welsh Government will now develop the Climate and Nature Action Plan with the new board and wider engagement across Wales.