Part 1: Environmental Governance Chapter 1: Improving the natural environment Section 15: Renewing plans: other requirements
Section 15 sets out what the Secretary of State must consider when renewing an environmental improvement plan (EIP). Given section 8(6), this section applies only in relation to England.
	Subsection (1) sets out that the Secretary of State must take the following into consideration when renewing an EIP:
what steps the government has taken to implement the old EIP during the period to which it related;
whether the natural environment has improved since the beginning of the period to which the old plan related; and
whether the government should take further or different steps (compared to those in the old plan) to improve the natural environment in the period to which the new EIP relates.
	When considering whether the natural environment has improved, the Secretary of State must have regard to data obtained under section 16 and reports made by the Office of Environmental Protection under section 28).
	In addition, subsection (2) requires the Secretary of State, when considering whether the natural environment has improved, to consider the progress made towards meeting the targets set under sections 1, 2 and 3, and the interim targets set under sections 11 or 14.
	Subsection (3) requires the Secretary of State, when considering whether further or different steps should be taken to improve the natural environment in the new EIP, to consider whether further or different steps should be taken to meet those targets.
	Subsection (4) clarifies that references to "old plan" and "new plan" are to be read in accordance with the definitions in section 13.