Leaving a better future to our grandchildren is a legal obligation in Wales, and 10 years into our Future Generations Act, I expect to see daily urgency in delivering on the promise politicians made on the Senedd floor. 

The 50 recommendations in my statutory Future Generations Report, created with public bodies, expert organisations and based on future trends, have now been responded to by Welsh Government, who says more can and should be done to achieve our well-being goals.  

This initial response acknowledges how the Well-being of Future Generations Act has transformed how public services prioritise the well-being of people and planet; how my team has changed how Wales plans to protect rivers to take action on more forms of pollution; and welcomes our call for a shift to a preventative health system that’s focused on reducing inequalities. 

However, there are still gaps where we need more action – for example, current Welsh Government health policies are not having a fast enough effect, with life and health expectancy declining for our most disadvantaged people; community energy targets that allow people to own a stake in the energy their community produces should be more ambitious, and we desperately need a national food strategy for how we’ll feed us all well in the future. 

On 17 July, I will give evidence to the Senedd on why we need stronger targets for nature recovery in the Environment (Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets) (Wales) Bill.  

I look forward to seeing the full, more detailed response to my recommendations at the end of October, as well as from all bodies under the legislation. We need new and strong action from our government as leaders of the public service of Wales. 

As Future Generations Commissioner, I look forward to working with and continuing to challenge Welsh Government, ministers and public bodies to ensure no opportunities are wasted to learn from the past and create a future where we can all live happy, healthy lives.

– Derek Walker, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales