Lessons on leaving the world better than you found it | Sophie Howe

Summary

The speaker, the world's only future generations commissioner and a mother of five, shares insights on how Wales is legislating to protect future generations' interests. Wales has enacted laws requiring public institutions to demonstrate long-term thinking and avoid harming the interests of those yet to be born. The government has set national well-being goals, focusing on low-carbon economy, health, connected communities, and equality. They emphasize the importance of involving people in setting goals, recognizing interconnections between well-being aspects, and using well-being metrics to guide decisions, such as prioritizing public transport over motorways. The talk also highlights innovative approaches in Cardiff, like sustainable transport and nature-based solutions to improve health and the environment.

Takeaways

• 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Wales is the first country to legislate for the protection of future generations, appointing an independent commissioner for this purpose.
• 📜 The Welsh government and public institutions are required to demonstrate long-term thinking in their actions and decisions, ensuring they do not harm future generations.
• 👥 Involving the public in setting long-term goals is crucial, with Wales having conducted a 'Wales We Want' national conversation to gather public input.
• 🌿 The government has legislated seven national well-being goals, including a low-carbon economy, community connection, and equality, which all institutions must work towards.
• 🔗 There is an emphasis on recognizing the interconnections between different aspects of well-being, such as health, environment, and economic prosperity.
• 🏥 Welsh institutions are encouraged to work beyond their immediate remit, leading to innovative partnerships like hospitals collaborating with botanical gardens.
• 📊 Well-being metrics, including social, economic, environmental, and cultural factors, are used to measure success instead of traditional economic growth indicators.
• 🚶‍♂️ The script highlights the example of prioritizing public transport and active travel over a new motorway, based on well-being metrics.
• 💼 Economic stimulus plans are being designed to maximize well-being, including targeting jobs in green sectors towards those furthest from the labor market.
• 🌳 Projects are encouraged to be holistic, considering sustainability in all aspects, such as incorporating sustainable drainage in cycling infrastructure.
• 🏙️ Cardiff, the capital, is implementing strategies to address air pollution, long commutes, and health inequalities by promoting sustainable transport and community greening.

Q & A

What makes Wales unique in terms of legislation for future generations?

Wales is the only country in the world that has legislated to protect the interests of future generations and appointed an independent Future Generations Commissioner.

What is the primary goal of Wales' legislation concerning future generations?

The primary goal is to ensure that all main public institutions demonstrate how they are acting for the long-term and making decisions that do not harm the interests of those yet to be born.

How did Wales involve its citizens in setting long-term goals?

Wales held a national conversation called 'The Wales We Want,' where citizens expressed their desires for a low-carbon economy, improved public health, connected communities, and a more equal society.

What are the seven national well-being goals set by the Welsh government?

The seven national well-being goals include a low-carbon economy, improved public health, connected communities, and equality among others, aimed at achieving holistic well-being.

How are Welsh institutions held accountable for meeting well-being goals?

Each institution must demonstrate how they are meeting the well-being goals and are held accountable by the Future Generations Commissioner.

Why is it important to focus on the interconnections between different aspects of well-being?

Focusing on interconnections helps to address multiple issues simultaneously, such as how tackling air pollution benefits both public health and the environment, or how workforce diversity enhances economic prosperity and reduces inequality.

Can you provide an example of how Welsh institutions are collaborating to meet well-being goals?

Hospitals in Wales are working with the National Botanic Gardens to create spaces for nature on their sites, and the environmental agency is helping to find solutions for tackling childhood adversity.

What metrics are used in Wales to measure success, as opposed to traditional economic metrics?

Wales measures success based on their seven well-being goals, which encompass social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being, rather than traditional economic growth metrics like GVA.

How did applying well-being metrics impact a major infrastructure decision in Wales?

When the government considered building a new motorway, well-being metrics showed that improving public transport and active travel would better meet health, carbon emission, nature protection, and income distribution goals. As a result, the motorway plan was replaced with a focus on public transport and active travel.

How is Cardiff addressing issues like air pollution and inequality through its well-being act?

Cardiff's public institutions are working together, incentivizing sustainable travel for employees, increasing investment in safe cycling and walking routes, and implementing public health solutions like bike hire prescriptions. They are also integrating sustainable drainage systems to create green spaces and improve communities.