Part 1: Environmental Governance Chapter 1: Improving the natural environment Section 14: Renewing plans: interim targets
Section 14 provides for interim targets to be included in new 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 that a new EIP include at least one interim target in relation to the targets set under sections 1, 2 and 3 (for a "relevant matter", see subsection (2)), and to ensure that from the date that the new EIP commences for the "relevant date", see subsection (7)) there is an interim target for each such target for the next five years.
	Subsection (2) provides that the term "relevant matter" means any matter where there is a target under sections 1, 2 or 3.
	Subsection (3) ensures that the requirement in subsection (1) 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 five years of the start of the new plan. For example, if a long-term target expires four months after the date on which a new EIP period commences, there is no requirement for the Secretary of State to set an interim target because the long-term target will expire so quickly.
	Subsection (4) provides that interim targets must consist of an objectively measurable standard to be achieved across a specified time period. Subsection (5) 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 new EIP period commences. For subsequent interim targets, that period starts on the date the previous interim target expired.
	Subsection (6) provides that, when setting 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 (7) provides that the term "relevant date" means the date on which the new EIP period commences.
	Subsection (8) clarifies that references to a "new plan" are to be read in accordance with the definitions in section 13(1).