How Does the Well-being of Future Generations Act Affect Welsh Businesses?

Do you know about the Well‑being of Future Generations (Wales) Act?

The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 is a pioneering piece of legislation that aims to improve the economic, social, environmental, and cultural wellbeing of Wales. The Act requires public bodies to embed sustainable principles and goals into the operations. Hereby, create a Wales that is sustainable, equitable, and resilient for current and future generations.

The Act, enacted on 29 April 2015 and effective from April 2016, requires public bodies in Wales to consider the long-term impact of their decisions, work collaboratively with communities and each other, and take a preventative approach to issues such as poverty, health inequalities, and climate change.

This Act has changed what the government measures alongside GDP to determine if the country is actually “successful”. Instead of just looking at the bank balance of the nation, the Welsh Government uses 50 national indicators. These allow them to track things that GDP misses, such as the quality of biodiversity and ecosystems, the percentage of people in decent housing, and levels of loneliness.

A Shared Vision: The Seven Wellbeing Goals

The Well‑being of Future Generations (Wales) Act is guided by seven sustainability and wellbeing goals.

A Prosperous Wales: Focusses on developing a low-carbon society that is skilled and educated. It’s not just about GDP but an economy that generates wealth while respecting the limits of the global environment.

A Resilient Wales: A nation that maintains and enhances a biodiverse natural environment with healthy functioning ecosystems. It aims to build capacity to adapt to climate change and other environmental risks.

A Healthier Wales: A society in which people’s physical and mental wellbeing is maximised and in which choices and behaviours that benefit future health are understood.

A More Equal Wales: A society that enables people to fulfil their potential no matter what their background or circumstances (including their socio-economic background).

A Wales of Cohesive Communities: Focusses on creating attractive, viable, safe, and well connected communities where people feel a sense of belonging and security.

A Wales of Vibrant Culture: A society that promotes and protects culture, heritage, and the Welsh language, while encouraging people to participate in the arts, sports, and recreation.

A Globally Responsible Wales: A nation which, when doing anything to improve the economic, social, environmental and cultural wellbeing of Wales, takes account of whether doing such a thing may make a positive contribution to global wellbeing.

Tap the image to visit the Welsh Government website and learn more about the wellbeing goals.

To achieve the goals, the Act recommends five ways of working:

Long-term: Balancing short-term needs with the ability to meet long-term needs.

Integration: Considering how public bodies’ wellbeing objectives may impact each of the wellbeing goals.

Involvement: Engaging people with an interest in achieving wellbeing goals, ensuring diversity.

Collaboration: Acting in collaboration with others to meet wellbeing objectives.

Prevention: Acting to prevent problems from occurring or getting worse.

Welsh Leadership in Sustainable Development

As the first country in the world to require public bodies (organisations funded by the government) to consider long-term wellbeing and sustainable development, Wales has demonstrated leadership. It shows the Welsh Government’s commitment to building a nation that values sustainability. For Welsh businesses, integrating sustainability will put you in an advantageous position, aligning with the nation’s vision and demonstrating social responsibility.

Need help strengthening your organisation’s sustainability practices to comply with, or go beyond, the Well‑being of Future Generations (Wales) Act?

Start your journey today with a free initial call. Let’s build a greener future together.

Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015: A Guide for Businesses

Joyce & Sustainability