Wales becomes first country to adopt UN’s Sustainable Development Goals

Wales has become the first country in the world to incorporate the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals into legislation.

The Wellbeing of Future Generations Act, which came into force last month, will make public bodies think more about the long term, work better with people and communities and each other and take a more joined-up approach, the Welsh government says. “This new law will mean that, for the first time, public bodies listed in the act must do what they do in a sustainable way,” it says. “This act is about improving the social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing of Wales.”

Public bodies, including local councils, most NHS organisations, fire and rescue authorities and national parks, must ensure that when making their decisions they take into account the impact they could have on future generations. It also creates the £95,000 a year post of Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, whose role is to support public bodies to work towards achieving the wellbeing goals.