Looking back, looking forward: Thoughts from the Commissioner

The Sustainable Development Commission’s main role is to provide policy advice and act as an external watchdog to Government. In 2007 government in Wales took a long time to get going.

With the first quarter typical of any administration nearing the end of its term, focussing on policies for the manifesto, and unable to make long term commitments - a short election campaign, where all political parties played the green card, was followed by a prolonged post election process of negotiation and coalition building. The final result was the One Wales programme of government.

So in reality government action did not start in earnest until the final quarter of the year, and ahead now is a three year window before the democratic process brings its next pre and post election hiatus. This current period will be critical in setting Wales on course towards a sustainable future, which presents challenges but also massive opportunities for the Welsh Assembly Government.

First and foremost we need to see a sense of urgency brought to delivering the objectives of One Wales which, to its credit, puts climate change at the heart of the policy agenda.

The new Climate Change Commission is one of the first and, potentially, one of the most important commitments of the One Wales document to be realised. When it meets in December for the first time, it will see representation from all political parties and sectors, and will share the common aim of establishing long term consensus for tackling climate change in Wales.

As a new entity, its role and function will of course develop over time but it is a given that each member of this Commission will need to be prepared to lead their respective sectors and work together to create the “political space” needed to ensure that the difficult decisions that need to be made, can be made.

The recent CBI report rightly highlighted that climate change cannot be tackled by one sector acting alone. As the SDC has emphasised, effective change is dependent on government, business and communities working together.

2007 has seen more action generated from business and communities than from direct government intervention. Companies have increasingly been leading the process of change, be it through the high profile actions of corporate leaders like M&S and BT or through the SMEs in the fast growing environmental goods and services sector.

At community level we are seeing real evidence of a “tipping point” where initiatives like community energy networks, transition towns, and networks such as Cynnal Cymru are mobilising real change in attitudes and lifestyle choices across Wales. I hope that 2008 will in fact be a turning point as these initiatives, alongside increased government activity and mobilisation, gather momentum towards sustainable lifestyles becoming a norm across Wales.

Engaging with this energy in our companies and communities must be the priority for government - supporting and investing in companies that will deliver jobs and prosperity in the low carbon economy of the future, while removing the barriers to behaviour change in our communities.

The SDC in Wales will begin 2008 with a strong team and a new office base in the University of Wales. Our commitment is to provide high quality independent evidence based policy advice, and ensure that the Assembly Government’s fulfils its duty to implement sustainable development across all policy areas.

Central to this will be the need to decarbonise our electricity supply, and looking back at 2007 I believe that our Tidal Energy report will be an leave a critical legacy in stimulating the development of energy from tidal stream, tidal lagoons and of course providing the framework for the potential development of a Severn Barrage.

The debate over the Severn Barrage has encapsulated the overriding challenge for us as a society – do we have a “can do if” or a “cannot do because” attitude?

As a Commission, we are there to look at the big issues of the day and ask “Can we do this sustainably?” and then “How do we do this sustainably?” There will always be reasons why something cannot be done, but we now have to make positive choices, and say yes – we can find a way to provide sustainable energy; we can find a way to develop affordable and sustainable housing in Wales; and yes, we can provide convenient local food to local people. All the evidence shows that people have this “can do” attitude and want to do the right thing, making the positive choices.

It is government’s job to encourage and enable these choices, and make them not only the right choice, but the easy choice. It also has to lead by example in the choices it makes both in policies and initiatives, but also through its own practices as a purchaser and employer.

With clear targets from One Wales and a sense of urgency from Jane Davidson as Sustainability Minister, we start 2008 with a clarity that was not present 12 months ago and it is now down to government to catch up with and drive forward from the actions led by companies and communities 2007. We also welcome the appointment of Matthew Quinn to lead the new Environment, Sustainability and Housing division as it looks to realise the ambitious plans set for 2008.

As we start the New Year, we want to hear from you – what can government do to help you make the right choice an easy choice in 2008? What are your “can do if’s?
Let me know!

Ask the Commissioner

Peter DaviesAsk the Commissioner