Written - Sustainable Development Scheme

The Assembly Government is one of three administrations in the world which is underpinned by a legal duty relating to sustainable development. The duty requires us to publish a Scheme setting out how we will promote sustainable development in the exercise of our functions. Our legal duty to promote sustainable development enjoys cross-party support in the National Assembly.

With the First Minister, I launched our new Scheme for Sustainable Development, One Wales; One Planet, in May 2009.

The Scheme confirmed the Assembly Government’s vision of a sustainable Wales based on us becoming a fairer and more just society, and on us using only our fair share of the Earth’s resources. The Scheme confirmed that sustainable development is the central organising principle of the Assembly Government.

Sustainable development will be the lens through which we develop our policies and programmes in ways which meet the long-term economic, social and environmental challenges and opportunities in Wales, and which promote the long-term wellbeing of people and communities.  Sustainable development is, and will remain, at the heart of this administration.

I am therefore disappointed at the announcement that has been made about the future of the Sustainable Development Commission, our independent adviser on sustainable development.

We are committed to funding the delivery of the SDC’s agreed work programme this financial year. This will give us time to set in place new arrangements in Wales.

I am pleased that there will be continuing dialogue between the UK Government and the Assembly Government on this issue. I am grateful that the Secretary of State for Defra has agreed to work closely with us to ensure a smooth transition as we develop these new arrangements in Wales.

We will continue to seek independent advice on sustainable development, drawing on the best practice from the UK, Europe and internationally, to inform us as we take forward our policies.

We also recognise the need for continued engagement and networking with all sectors and communities in Wales to ensure we can deliver our vision of a sustainable Wales.

We will ensure that we have arrangements in place that are fit for our purpose here in Wales to provide appropriate advice on sustainable development and to catalyse and support action to deliver sustainable development in all parts of society across Wales. 

I know that there is a great appetite and enthusiasm throughout Wales for us all to do more on sustainable development and we must harness this enthusiasm to promote sustainable development in everything that we do.