(1)A reporting authority must comply with any directions under section 62.
(2)Where two or more reporting authorities are directed to prepare a joint report, they must take reasonable steps to co-operate with each other for that purpose.
(3)In preparing a report, a reporting authority must have regard to the following, so far as relevant—
(a)the most recent report under section 56 (report on impact of climate change);
(b)the most recent programme under section 58 (programme for adaptation to climate change);
(c)any guidance issued by the Secretary of State under section 61.
(4)If the authority—
(a)has functions that are exercisable in or as regards Wales, or
(b)has devolved Welsh functions,
it must also have regard, so far as relevant, to any guidance issued by the Welsh Ministers under section 66 and the most recent report under section 80 (report on climate change: Wales).
(5)The authority must send a copy of the report to the Secretary of State.
(6)The Secretary of State must publish the report in such manner as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.
(7)This does not require the Secretary of State to publish—
(a)information the Secretary of State could refuse to disclose in response to a request under—
(i)the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (c. 36), or
(ii)the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/3391) or any regulations replacing those regulations;
(b)information whose disclosure is prohibited by any enactment.
(8)The authority must have regard to the report in exercising its functions other than its devolved functions.