We will make it our mission to ensure all Welsh public bodies achieve their net zero and nature positive goals by 2030. As a result, public bodies are leading action on climate change including adaptation, in a way that reduces inequalities and maximises the benefits to people and communities across Wales.

The Commissioner is required to monitor and assess the extent to which such public bodies are meeting their well-being objectives are being met. This duty seeks to ensure public bodies are moving closer to their objectives and contributing to the national well-being goals. Every five years, the Commissioner must publish an overall assessment and recommendations for improvement in a Future Generations Report.

Public bodies in Wales spend over £6 billion each year procuring a range of goods, services and works; this represents nearly a third of total devolved Welsh annual expenditure, and it is estimated that over the next decade Welsh public services will spend over £60 billion.

There are 48 public bodies in Wales covered by the Act who are required to carry out sustainable development

In response to the Welsh Government’s detailed draft budget published today, Sophie Howe, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales said:

There’s no shortage of debate and analysis about the future skills needs of modern economies.

In response to the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) warning that Welsh councils are at a financial breaking point, Sophie Howe, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales said.

The importance of mental health for our future generations

n response to a 48% rise in the purchase of disposable plastic straws by Welsh public bodies over the past five years, Sophie Howe, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales said:

How do you find out where organisations are on their journey of cultural change?

In collaboration with Literature Wales, the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales is proud to announce it is looking for a Future Generations Resident Poet; a new and exciting opportunity for an emerging poet in Wales to bring the Act to life.

The pace of technological change is so fast it’s difficult to imagine what the world of work will look like for our children and future generations.

At Nesta we have spent a lot of time over the last few years thinking about the future of the world of work.

What do we mean, when we talk about Wales and peace and what does peace have to do with the Well-being of Future Generations Act?

Responding to the Welsh Government’s ‘Well-being of Wales’ report published today, Sophie Howe, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales said:

Involvement is at the heart of the Well-being of Future Generations Act. Since the creation of the Future Generations Commissioner in 2016, our office has involved thousands of people to support and inform our work. Some of the involvement projects we have undertaken to date include

The deadline for responses to the Welsh Government on the status of the Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification is TODAY and you can find more information here.

During the Summer, we hosted our first event at the National Eisteddfod in Cardiff Bay. The subject of debate was, 'Should robots speak Welsh?' Here are the reflections of Meilys and Indeg who sat on the panel. 

This weekend people across Wales will come together to celebrate equality and diversity at Pride Cymru.

Should robots speak Welsh?

On a sunny day in June 2018, I was privileged to be invited to attend the Inaugural EU Cities Fair and Ethical Trade Award Ceremony, in Brussels along with representatives from 15 other EU countries.

A voice for future generations across the world is crucial says Future Generations Commissioner for Wales at UN summit, New York

This week we celebrate the landmark 70th birthday of the NHS. This milestone birthday, is a chance to celebrate the past successes of the last 70 years, congratulate figures of the past, the dedicated workers of today but also to look at how we are going to nurture our National Health System, so that it continues to exist for the next 70 years.

I’ve been a Mental Health Nurse for 34 years . Two years ago, I set up a Partnership with Grifithstown Primary School promoting our Initiative of Intergenerational Practice.

The White Ribbon Campaign and the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, allows us to look at how far we’ve come here in Wales in ending male violence against women and girls, and to strengthen our resolve in taking this work further.

A new report published today by the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, Sophie Howe shows how Wales could transform its transport system by investing in public transport, active travel and ensuring delivery of all phases of the South Wales Metro with the £1.4bn currently earmarked for the M4 Black Route.

Embedding public value within the heart of the activities of Cardiff Business School, is a unique feature of the school.  

Cardiff is a really exciting place at the moment. We have a young and fast-growing city, with jobs being created, houses being built and a billion pounds worth of regional rail infrastructure on its way. There’s a real buzz about the capital city.

Let’s celebrate International Carrot Day - that's a sentence I never thought I would write!

I have respect for the concerns expressed by local people regarding the disposal of waste from Hinkley Point. This is clearly an emotive subject and I can understand why some members of the public feel concerned. I am keen to respond wherever possible to concerns raised by the public but can only do so within the powers that the Well-being of Future Generations Act confers on me and the resources available to me. There have been a number of inaccurate statements on what I can and should be able to do in respect of this issue.

Commissioner urges Government create a system focused on well-being by investing in preventative care

Reviewing public bodies' annual reports

The Well-being of Future Generations Act challenges Welsh public bodies to take action on the biggest threats facing Wales, working collaboratively and taking a partnership approach to support services in delivering our work wherever possible.

This Sunday my daughter and I will be taking part in something significant. We will be joining thousands of women across the country marching to commemorate the brave women who came before us 100 years ago who marched, campaigned, starved and even died to get us the vote. 

This message, created by the young people of mid Glamorgan embodies much of the Well-being of Future Generations Act.

Public bodies in Wales must become more ambitious and adventurous and provide better clarity on how they are meeting their obligations under the Well-being of Future Generations Act, says Sophie Howe in a new report published today.

"In Wales it has already been recognised that tackling adverse childhood experiences is one of the biggest challenges facing public services now and in the future. For every 100 adults in Wales, 47 have suffered at least one adverse childhood experience. 

Where will automation hit hardest?

Prevention and inclusion: lessons for tackling poverty took place at the Pierhead, National Assembly for Wales.

Sophie Howe, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, has gone on record on many occasions about the vital role sustainable procurement has in underpinning the well-being goals. Sophie blogs ahead of the Good Practice Exchange’s Sustainable Procurement webinar.

The world recently mourned the loss of one of our greatest scientific minds, Stephen Hawking. A man who famously said, ‘intelligence is the ability to adapt to change’.

Gydag £1bn o fuddsoddiadau Cronfeydd Pensiwn yng Nghymru’n cael ei wario ar gwmnïau sy’n seiliedig ar ynni ffosil, mae Comisiynydd Cenedlaethau’r Dyfodol Cymru yn galw ar Awdurdodau Lleol i ddangos sut mae risg yn sgil yr hinsawdd yn cael ei ymgorffori yn strategaeth fuddsoddi eu cronfeydd yn y presennol a’r dyfodol. 


Mae gwneud gwerth cyhoeddus yn rhan hanfodol o'u gweithgareddau yn nodwedd unigryw Ysgol Fusnes Caerdydd.

With £1bn of Pension Funds investment in Wales being spent on fossil fuel based companies, the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales calls on Local Authorities to demonstrate how climate risk is being incorporated into their current and future fund's investment strategy.

Update on application of the Well-being of Future Generations Act to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) environmental permitting decisions

Alternative models for improving health and well-being is one of the priority areas for the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales.

In response to Cardiff Council's Transport Green Paper, published Wednesday, 21 March and the start of a city-wide conversation on big ideas that could shape the future of Cardiff's transport system.

Spanning different generations we often have interesting discussions about our every day experiences as a woman - especially as we mark 100 years since some women could vote and the ongoing roar of the #MeToo campaign amongst many others campaigns striving for equality for women.

Our offices are right in the middle of Cardiff city centre, whatever’s happening on St Mary Street, we know about it. The entrance to the building, which is shared with a nightclub, is quite wide and recessed. It attracts a range of people, those sheltering from the weather in the day and those sleeping in the night.

TriMet provides bus, light rail and commuter rail service in the Portland, Oregon, region, with a service boundary of more than 500 miles (804 km). Our riders use TriMet to get to jobs, educational facilities, recreational opportunities and other destinations throughout the region.

Sophie Howe, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales has written to Natural Resources Wales to ask them demonstrate how the Well-being of Future Generations Act is being applied the during the environmental permitting process.

As someone who has had five pregnancies whilst trying to progress a career I am very excited to see Jacinda Ardern the newly elected New Zealand Prime Minister announce her pregnancy.

Yr wythnos gyntaf ym mis Ionawr ac mae’r rhai hynny ohonom sydd yn ôl yn y gwaith ar dân dros gychwyn a bwrw ati unwaith eto. Wythnos yn ddiweddarach a bydd diflastod Ionawr yn dod ar ein gwarthaf - nid yn unig yr oerfel a’r lleithder, ond y blys am siwgr (ie, rheswm arall dros beidio bwyta gormod ohono yn y lle cyntaf).

First week of January and those of us back in work are raring to go – one week later and the ‘January blues’ hit – it’s not just the cold and damp – it’s the sugar withdrawal (yes, another reason not to consume so much in the first place!).

Huw Vaughan-Thomas, Auditor General for Wales and Sophie Howe, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales have today published a Memorandum of Understanding, which sets out how they will cooperate on their related responsibilities under the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

Well-being in Wales: Planning: Planning today for a better tomorrow’ report highlights the challenges and opportunities for the future, driven by the need to change the way we deliver public services in Wales following the publication of the first well-being assessments published by the 19 Public Services Boards across Wales.

Since April 2017, councils, health boards, national parks, fire and rescue services, Welsh Government and national organisations, such as Natural Resources Wales and Sport Wales, have been working towards a collective 345 objectives.

A radical, ground-breaking culture change is essential if public bodies are going to provide better service provision, now and for future generations. That’s the key message at a collaborative event hosted by Wales Auditor General and Future Generations Commission today.

As we celebrated our National Patron Saint’s Day last week, we were reminded of our country’s strong cultural identity and affinity with the arts

International Women’s Day and what it means for the well-being of future generations of Wales

However, one small action as simple as switching off your lights for one hour can help reduce the impacts of climate change on the planet, its wildlife and future generations.

As I write, President Trump looks set to pull the United States of America out of the Paris global climate agreement. Climate change denial is gaining traction and dismissing the views of experts and scientists who have studied these things for many years is common place.

Recently the BBC announced the identity of the 13th Doctor Who, to be played by actor Jodie Whittaker. Within seconds of the announcement, scores of people took to social media to voice their opinions, with reactions ranging from optimistic delight at this progressive decision to outrage at the role being given to a woman.

The Well-being of Future Generations Act requires you to use the five ways of working to maximise your contribution to the seven well-being goals – a number of which relate to climate change and low carbon.

The first major report on current and future well-being in Wales by Sophie Howe, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales is published Tuesday, 25th July 2017.

The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act (2015) requires Public Services Boards to publish a local assessment of economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being.

Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank, 1984 by George Orwell and the complete works of Shakespeare are some of the books that have shaped the way we think, inspired change and left an indelible mark on future generations.

Ten years ago the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) launched a pioneering report – Zero carbon Britain – showing that we have the technology and solutions to reduce our carbon emissions down to zero.

Wales is one of the only countries in the world to place value on cultural well-being and as the Welsh cultural season begins, Sophie Howe, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, will be highlighting how the Welsh approach can be life-changing for the nation.

The links between tackling our housing crisis and the nation's health are growing.

As a country not only have we led the way by becoming the first Fair Trade nation the Well-being of Future Generations Act make us the first nation to legislate and place the sustainable development principle at the heart of decision-making to improve our economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being. 

April 1st marked the first anniversary of the Well-being of Future Generations Act coming into place.

What I’ve learnt about climate change since becoming Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, earlier this year, is quite simply frightening. There is no doubt that it’s the greatest challenge facing future generations and action is urgently needed across the public sector to reduce our emissions and its impacts.

The Well-being of Future Generations Act gives us the encouragement, the permission and the statutory obligation to make the changes needed to improve our social, cultural, environmental and economic well-being

Welsh Government must focus on planning for the long term, setting the standard for involving people in the decisions that affect them if they are serious about improving lives, says Future Generations Commissioner Sophie Howe.

As the First Minister highlights, this is an opportunity to take a new approach. I am encouraged the Welsh Government recognises the need for new ways of working to make the most of its contribution to improving the wellbeing of people – today and in the longer term

Like many parents, I supply my family with vitamins as we try to prevent the inevitable latest strain of winter cold or even flu. GP waiting rooms fill up and media outlets report the annual surge in waiting times or demand for hospital beds.

In response to a British Medical Association survey that revealed that a quarter of GPs in Wales are considering leaving the profession.

The Future Generations Commissioner, Sophie Howe has today responded to the Welsh draft budget:

A key part of the Well-being of Future Generations Act established Public Services Boards (PSBs) to make sure that local organisations work together to improve the well-being of their area for current and future generations.

Preventing adverse childhood experiences is everybody’s business and the Well-being of Future Generations Act provides real opportunity to change the way we do things, says Sophie Howe, Commissioner for Future Generations

Speaking at the Wales Audit Office conference ‘Finance for the Future’, Sophie Howe, Future Generations Commissioner said:

“The issue of whether we have the Wales we want, has to be answered through a two-way dialogue with the public,” Sophie Howe, Future Generations Commissioner has said at a speech at the Welsh Local Government Association Annual Conference today.

The Welsh Government has announced its objectives which it says will drive forward delivery of the well-being goals for Wales, as required by the Well-being of Future Generations Act.

A radical, ground-breaking culture change is essential if public bodies are going to provide better service provision, now and for future generations

Failing to put low carbon as a central pillar of the Cardiff City Deal programme would be both environmentally and economically irresponsible,” says Sophie Howe, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales.

Following recent debate around the Cardiff Local Development Plans, Sophie Howe, Future Generations Commissioner has explained the advice that she

Meet the Future Generations team

The Future Generations Commissioner role, was established by the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 - a pioneering piece of legislation which is unique to Wales

Stronger, more focused action is needed to protect communities in Wales from the risks of Climate Change, says Sophie Howe, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales.

If the UK Government were bound by the Well-being of Future Generations Act, would the EU Referendum have gone ahead?’ Wales’ Future Generations Commissioner reflects on what the Brexit result means for Wales’ future

Sophie Howe, the newly appointed Future Generations Commissioner for Wales will take to the stage at this year’s Hay Festival. The session on June 3rd at 7pm on the Starlight Stage is called “Jane Davidson talks to Sophie Howe on ‘the single most important piece of legislation for the last 20 years?” and will focus on the new Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act which came into force in Wales on April 1st 2016.

My role is to act as a guardian for the interests of future generations in Wales. I will challenge and support public bodies to think about the long-term impact of the things they do. My draft strategic plan sets out how I intend to do this.

As 2017 gets under way, it was great to start the new year by meeting with members of the Young Wales Project, a group set up to empower and give a voice to youth groups across Wales.

Proposals to build a £1.1bn road to ease congestion on the M4 fail to set out how it will meet the needs of our future generations who will be burdened with paying for it,” says Sophie Howe, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales.

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New legislation can result in a whirlwind of activity and bureaucracy. If you’re at the sharp end of making sure your organisation is kept safe, then current organisational cultures often make ticking the box a natural response.

Over the last few months, the leaders of public services across Wales have been using the recently published local well-being assessments to understand how they can contribute to the social, environmental, economic and cultural well-being of people in their areas. 

As we start the new school year, I would like to take this opportunity to remind you of a very special upcoming date in the global calendar, which will provide you with an opportunity to introduce the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals to children and young people and unite them in action with others around the globe

Following on from a previous statement on Cardiff’s Local Development Plans, Sophie Howe, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales explains ongoing work in response to correspondence around planning issues.

One of the early conversations I had when I first joined Samaritans was with an organisation with which we were working in partnership to train staff and raise awareness.

We provide advice, assistance and support to people on the Well-being of Future Generations Act in a variety of ways.

We have the opportunity to create a better Wales for current and future generations.

For our younger generation, housing is undoubtedly one of the most difficult challenges they face.  

Sometimes when we talk about housing, we get very caught up in the technicalities, the regulations, planning and specifics, that we forget that we're really talking about is home.

When you hear about how things work elsewhere you tend to compare it to what you know and are used to. In that regard learning about how America is governed has been a bit of an eye opener for me - I studied it in a relatively, small doses during my degree but seeing it first-hand is something else.

I’m fortunate to have a job where I see lots of people doing lots of amazing things (occasionally the reverse too) but a project that I visited whilst in Austin Texas as part of the US Embassy’s International Visitor Leadership Programme last week has got to be up there with one of the best

Just over a year ago, not long after taking up my post as Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, I was approached by the American Embassy to ask if I would be interested in participating in their International Visitor Leadership Programme.

The best business is when people, planet and profit intertwine

"A dangerous precedent could be set if arguments presented in the M4 inquiry misinterpret the Well-being of Future Generations Act and undermine the spirt and purpose of the Act," says Sophie Howe, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales.

In this report we have worked together to consider how Wales’ commitment to internationally recognised children’s rights can work with the groundbreaking Well-being of Future Generations Act to meet children’s needs – now and in the future.

This paper is one of a series of reports being launched as part of the IWA’s ‘Re-energising Wales’ project, which in early 2019 will deliver a plan to enable Wales to meet its projected energy demands entirely from renewable sources by 2035. The report highlights a number of practical steps that can be taken to overcome Wales’ challenges.

Wales Council for Voluntary Action have created a series of resources for the third sector to help maximise their contribution to the seven well-being goals.

A catalyst for wellbeing of future generations in Wales - a special report by Wildlife Trusts Wales

We have been working with the Welsh Government to develop a practical tool to help people working in public services to apply the Well-being of Future Generations Act ways of working to the design and delivery of services.

The Well-being of Future Generations Act requires a new way of thinking about how our public services are delivered in Wales. Public Bodies must work in a way that improves the economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales.

Useful resources that we have worked on, contributed to, or identified as useful.