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The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act places obligations on 44 public bodies in Wales to meet Well-being goals while maintaining the sustainable development principle. The Act also establishes a Future Generations Commissioner for Wales as a new institution with responsibilities to advocate for future generations, to advise public bodies regarding their duties under the Act and to monitor and assess the improvements promoted by public bodies towards meeting wellbeing objectives.
The Act became law and came into force on April 1st 2016, alongside the appointment of the new Commissioner Sophie Howe. The act, proposed by Jane Davidson, at that time Wales Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing, is the first piece of legislation in history to place the rights of future generations at the heart of Government. The Act, developed through a National Conversation The Wales we want, led by Peter Davis FDSD Trustee and previously Commissioner for Sustainable Futures, helped determine the priorities of the Welsh people and different stakeholders.
The Act, inspired by UN Sustainable Development Goals, builds on the sustainable development principle, composed of five aspects promoting the delivery of the Act’s goals: long-term thinking, prevention, integration, collaboration and involvement. The Act also sets out 7 Well-being goals (a prosperous, resilient, healthier, more equal, and globally responsible Wales with cohesive communities, a vibrant culture and thriving Welsh language).
The preventive Act places duty on public bodies including Welsh ministers, local authorities, NHS and Health trusts and many others, to create wellbeing plans and to demonstrate to what extent they are meeting such goals. The Act requires publication of multiple reports, including the Future Generations Report published every five years and the annual Well-being of Wales Report which both provide updates on the progress made in Wales towards the achievement of Well-being goals. Additional accountability mechanisms embedded in the architecture of the Act include the requirement to publish national indicators and milestones of progress assessing whether Well-being goals are being met.
The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act is an example of a practical mechanism for integrating long-term thinking in sustainable policies. The act introduces new modes of operating that step away from silo policymaking and the act also emphasises wider participation in decision-making, taking into account impacts decades ahead. At the legislation launch, the UN spokesperson noted that “What Wales is doing today, we hope the world will do tomorrow – action more than words is the hope for our future generations”.
The video below provides a short animated description of The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act.
Related Links:
- For further information visit the official website of the Well-being of Future Generations Act.
- Visit Shaping Wales’ Future blog – the main communication point of the Welsh Government on the Act
- Is the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act standing up to the test of time and delivering for future generations? | Blog by Peter Davies
- FDSD report by Graham Smith: “The Democratic Case for an Office for Future Generations”.
- #futuregen— Lessons from a Small Country | By Jane Davidson
- Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 – Legislation website
- Network of Institutions for Future Generations
