Part 1: Environmental Governance Chapter 1: Improving the natural environment Section 11: Reviewing and revising plans: interim targets
Section 11 provides for interim targets to be included in environmental improvement plans (EIPs), and sets out the requirements for those interim targets. Given section 8(6), this section applies only in relation to England.
	Subsection (1) requires the Secretary of State, during the first review of the first EIP, to revise the plan so as to include at least one interim target in relation to the targets set under sections 1, 2 and3 (for a "relevant matter", see subsection (3)), and to ensure that from the date that the first review is completed (for the "relevant date", see subsection (9)) there is an interim target for each such target for the next five years.
	Subsection (2) contains an equivalent provision for subsequent reviews of the EIP. It requires the Secretary of State, during each review of the EIP, to make any revisions necessary to include at least one interim target in relation to any targets set under sections 1, 2 and 3 since the previous review, and to ensure that from the date that the relevant review is completed there is an interim target for each target for the next five years.
	Subsections (1) and (2) give the Secretary of State the flexibility to set just one interim target for the five year period between EIP reviews, or multiple, shorter interim targets for this same period.
	Subsection (3) provides that the term "relevant matter" means any matter where there is a target under sections 1, 2 or 3.
	Subsection (4) ensures that the requirement in subsection (2)(b) to maintain an interim target does not apply where the specified end date of the relevant target under sections 1, 2 or 3 falls within the relevant five-year period. For example, if a long-term target expires four months after the date on which an EIP review is completed, there is no requirement for the Secretary of State to set an interim target because the long-term target expires so quickly.
	Subsection (5) clarifies that the Secretary of State may revise or replace interim targets during any EIP review, regardless of whether revisions are needed pursuant to subsections (1) and (2).
	Subsection (6) provides that interim targets must consist of an objectively measurable standard to be achieved across a specified time period. Subsection (7) provides that this time period must be no longer than five years. For the first interim targets, that period starts on the date on which the relevant EIP review is completed. For subsequent interim targets, that period starts on that date or the date on which the previous interim target expired.
	Subsection (8) provides that, when setting or revising any interim target, the Secretary of State must be satisfied that meeting it will make an appropriate contribution towards meeting the relevant target under sections 1, 2 or 3. This will ensure that the Secretary of State takes account of the overall trajectory of environmental improvement required in order to meet those targets.
	Subsection (9) provides that the term "relevant date" means the date on which a review is completed.