By Lynda Yorke, Bangor University, Athanasios Dimitriou, Bangor University, Sonya Hanna, Bangor University, Sara Parry, Bangor University, Corinna Patterson, Bangor University, and Georgina Smith, Bangor University.
The climate crisis looms large, demanding urgent and concerted action. While global commitments often feel distant, Wales, one of the UK’s four nations, offers a compelling case for how to embed climate action directly into the fabric of society. Over the past decade, the Welsh Government has made considerable strides towards transforming climate action from an abstract ideal into a lived reality. Wales’ experiences provide valuable lessons for other nations considering how to address this global challenge effectively.
The challenge: from global aspiration to local action
The fundamental challenge in addressing climate change lies in translating ambitious global targets into tangible, everyday actions that are easily adopted by communities and organisations. At the heart of Wales’ innovative approach is the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 (WFGA 2015). This ground-breaking legislation champions a long-term, future-oriented commitment to sustainable development, underpinned by principles of integration, involvement, collaboration, and prevention. The approach recognises that tackling climate change is not a standalone issue; it requires a deep integration into every facet of life, from education and the economy to community well-being, culture, and the environment. When introduced in 2015, this called for a profound shift in mindset and practice to foster a culture of adaptation and change.
However, despite this legislation and the introduction of other policies, including net-zero targets and single-use plastics and waste, the path to adoption has not been without its challenges. While communities have increasingly engaged in smaller-scale climate actions, scaling these up to meet ambitious climate change targets remains a considerable hurdle. Progress in key sectors like agriculture, land use, waste management, and transport has been slower than hoped for, and Wales has not met some of its own targets despite having policy control.
Furthermore, implementing broad-reaching climate policies has revealed the complexities of public acceptance. The introduction of the 20-mph speed limit on restricted roads, for instance, sparked considerable debate, highlighting concerns about its effectiveness in reducing emissions and the practicalities of alternative travel options. Similarly, proposed reforms to farming subsidies, requiring tree planting on agricultural land, met with strong opposition from farmers concerned about food security and their livelihoods. These instances underscore the critical need for healthy public dialogue, clear communication, and flexibility in policy implementation to address legitimate concerns and foster broader buy-in.
The power of place and participation
The WFGA 2015 recognises that effective climate action is inherently place-based. This means tailoring solutions to local contexts, acknowledging that climate challenges and their solutions manifest in different ways across diverse communities and landscapes. This geo-local approach can encourage genuine collaboration.
Public Services Boards (PSBs), established under the WFGA 2015, bring together local authorities, health boards, police, and voluntary organizations to co-produce local well-being plans. This multi-sectoral approach ensures that climate action is woven into local priorities, fostering a shared sense of ownership. While the consideration of future climate risks varies across PSBs, they are refining their strategies and demonstrating their commitment to adaption based on community feedback and lessons learned. Moreover, PSBs are increasingly using accessible communication tools and storytelling and framing climate issues around core concerns like health and well-being, to make them more emotionally relevant with the publics.
A prime example of this place-based, community-led approach is the GwyrddNi project in Gwynedd. This initiative, a collaboration between a locally based social enterprise and five community organisations, directly engages with the local community to co-produce climate action plans. Through workshops and participatory Climate Assemblies in schools, children’s ideas are not only heard but actively incorporated into community strategies. This grassroots engagement underscores the power of local knowledge and community ownership in driving meaningful and sustainable change.
Health boards, too, are adopting place-based strategies, recognising the intrinsic link between community health, well-being, and climate resilience. Investments in renewable energy for hospitals, for instance, not only reduce carbon footprints but also enhance the long-term well-being of the communities they serve. These localised efforts highlight how climate action can be integrated into existing structures, delivering co-benefits beyond emission reduction.
Lessons for a global challenge
Wales’ journey offers several key lessons for nations seeking to accelerate their climate action:
- Legislate for the Future: The WFGA 2015 demonstrates the transformative power of legislation that legally mandates a long-term, integrated approach to sustainability. By embedding the well-being of future generations into law, it compels decision-makers to consider the enduring impacts of their actions.
- Embrace Place-Based Solutions: Climate action is most effective when it is tailored to local contexts. Recognising and utilising the unique characteristics of different places, and empowering local communities to lead, can foster greater ownership, innovation, and impact.
- Prioritise Meaningful Engagement: Genuine community engagement is not a mere formality; it is the cornerstone of effective climate action. This involves actively listening to concerns, adapting policies based on feedback, and employing accessible communication tools that connect climate issues to people’s everyday lives and values.
- Address Challenges Sensitively: The challenges faced with policies like the 20mph speed limit, and the Sustainable Farming Scheme highlight the critical importance of a thoughtful, communicative, and adaptable implementation strategy. Even well-intentioned policies require careful navigation of public opinion and practical considerations to ensure their success.
- Recognise that Progress is Ongoing: Wales’ experience underscores that climate action is an ongoing process of learning, adaptation, and refinement. While progress has been significant, continuous effort is required to accelerate actions, refine communication strategies, and address persistent challenges.
In essence, Wales has developed a convincing approach for tackling the climate emergency; centred on the WFGA 2015, its commitment to aligning climate action across society offers a strong vision. The continued success of this ambition hinges on the Welsh Government’s bold leadership and its commitment to listening to and collaborating with its communities. Wales’ experience provides invaluable insights into how a nation can integrate climate action into its governance and society, paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient future.
About the authors: Dr Lynda Yorke is a Senior Lecturer in Critical Physical Geography, School of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Bangor University.Dr Athanasios Dimitriou is a Researcher in Material Sciences, Biocomposites, Bangor University. Dr Sonya Hanna is a Lecturer in Marketing, Bangor Business School, Bangor University. Dr Sara Parry is a Senior Lecturer in Marketing, Bangor Business School, Bangor University. Dr Corinna Patterson is a Lecturer in Sociology, School of History, Law and Social Sciences, Bangor University. Dr Georgina Smith is a Lecturer in Marketing, Bangor Business School, Bangor University.
Suggested further reading
Colocci, A., Pietta, A. and Bagliani, M., 2025. Exploring the formal development of regional policies and their potential to drive local change: Insights on climate change adaptation in Italy. The Geographical Journal. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/geoj.12614
Parsons, L., Howarth, C., Gagnon, A., Gummer Baron Deben, J.S., McCarthy, K., McLachlan, C. and Brown, D., 2024. What’s in store for UK climate policy in the next five years? Reflections from environmental leader’s past, present and future. Geo: Geography and Environment. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/geo2.160
Simmonds, P., Maye, D., Ingram, J., Gardner, A. and Raseta, S., 2025. Deliberative approaches to the climate crisis: Adapting Climathons for rural communities. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/area.12994
Sloan Morgan, O., Melchior, F., Thomas, K. and McNab‐Coombs, L., 2024. Youth and climate justice: Representations of young people in action for sustainable futures. The Geographical Journal. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/geoj.12547
Yorke, L., Dimitriou, A., Hanna, S., Parry, S., Patterson, C. and Smith, G., 2025. Everyone’s talking about climate change actions, but can we learn from Wales’ approach? The Geographical Journal. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/geoj.70025
How to cite
Yorke, L. et al. (2025, June) Wales’ climate action: lessons for a sustainable future. Geography Directions. https://doi.org/10.55203/TPOY6706
Geography Directions 