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Petition Number: P-06-1462 Petition title: Scrap all Welsh Government policies from Agenda 21/Agenda 2030/Sustainable Development including Net Zero Text of petition: Net Zero, as one example, is a destructive, unethical, extremist and anti-farming policy which also hinders everyone's right to live off Welsh land. Other examples from these Agendas include 15 minute cities and the clamping down on car travel and our personal freedom to travel as and when we want. Agenda 21 / Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development are plans created and carried out by unelected globalist bodies to control all resources and people on earth, over which the citizens of Wales and elsewhere have no say or democratic voice. This is very wrong and a serious threat to democracy and our unalienable rights and freedoms as free people. |
Wales’ sustainable development and net zero targets are set out in both legislative and non-legislative commitments. These commitments sit within a wider global and UK sustainable development framework.
Wales has made significant commitments to sustainable development, primarily through the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015[CC1] . This world-first legislation aims to improve the social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being of Wales.
Well-being Goals[CC2] : The Act sets out seven well-being goals that public bodies must work towards:
§ A prosperous Wales;
§ A resilient Wales;
§ A healthier Wales;
§ A more equal Wales;
§ A Wales of cohesive communities;
§ A Wales of vibrant culture and thriving Welsh language; and
§ A globally responsible Wales.
Sustainable Development Principle[CC3] : Public bodies are required to act in a manner that ensures the needs of the present are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This includes considering long-term impacts, prevention, integration, collaboration, and involvement.
Future Generations Commissioner[CC4] : The Act established the role of the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, whose role is to support public bodies in working towards the well-being goals and monitor their progress.
Agenda 21[CC5] is a comprehensive, non-binding action plan developed by the United Nations to promote sustainable development globally, nationally, and locally. It was adopted by more than 178 governments at the Earth Summit (United Nations Conference on Environment and Development) held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992.
The plan is divided into four main sections:
Social and Economic Dimensions: Focuses on combating poverty, changing consumption patterns, promoting health, and achieving sustainable population and settlement patterns.
Conservation and Management of Resources for Development: Includes atmospheric protection, combating deforestation, protecting fragile environments, conserving biological diversity, and managing biotechnology and radioactive wastes.
Strengthening the Role of Major Groups: Emphasises the roles of children and youth, women, NGOs, local authorities, business and industry, and workers - as well as indigenous peoples and their communities.
Means of Implementation: Covers science, technology transfer, education, international institutions, and financial mechanisms.
Agenda 2030[CC6] , also known as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, is a global plan adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015. It aims to achieve peace and prosperity for people and the planet by 2030. At its core are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals[CC7] (SDGs), which address a wide range of global challenges, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice.
As part of Agenda 2030, all 193 UN Member States are required to produce at least one Voluntary National Review, a report in which they assess and present progress they have made towards achieving the SDGs. In 2019, the UK produced its first Voluntary National Review[CC8] and presented it on 16 July to the UN High Level Political Forum.
The Welsh Government publishes supplementary reports to the UK’s Voluntary National Review of progress towards the United Nation’s SDGs.[CC9] These reports outline the progress made, policy changes, and areas for improvement. The most recent[CC10] was published in July 2019.
Wales has a legislative commitment[CC11] to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, with interim targets for 2030 (63% reduction) and 2040 (89% reduction).
The Welsh Government published Net Zero Wales Carbon Budget 2 (2021-25)[CC12] (“the Net Zero Plan”) on 28 October 2021. It sets out how Wales will meet its second carbon budget[CC13] (CB2), and build the foundations for Carbon Budget 3 (CB3) and the 2030 emissions reduction target, as well as net zero by 2050. The targets and budgets are summarised this Senedd Research article on the Path to Net Zero[CC14] .
The Net Zero Plan fulfiled the Welsh Minister’s statutory duty (under the Environment (Wales) Act 2016) to prepare and publish a report, before the end of 2021, setting out the policies and proposals for meeting CB2. It contains 123 policies and proposals across all ministerial portfolios. The plan follows the low carbon delivery plan (LDCP1) for Carbon Budget 1 (CB1), Prosperity for All: A low carbon Wales[CC15] , published in March 2019.
Progress against commitments is monitored and reported on by the UK Climate Change Committee. The most recent progress report[CC16] was published in June 2023.
The Cabinet Secretary’s response to the petition states the Welsh Government shares the ambition of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and that through the Well-being of Future Generations Act “we are proud of the ambitious steps we have taken to legislate for future generations”.
The response also outlines the role of the Welsh Government’s new Sustainable Farming Scheme[CC17] in helping Wales achieve its net zero ambition, saying it has been “designed to support the ongoing sustainable production of food at the same time as taking action to address the climate and nature emergency”. It restates the commitment to working with and supporting farmers and land managers through this transition. It says:
Indeed, our high standards in food and farming are key to our response to the climate emergency, and our plans for enhancing biodiversity will help ensure a thriving sector for both now and future generations.
The Welsh Parliament has been central in legislating for sustainable development and net zero. The Well-being of Future Generations Bill received cross-party support during its passage through the then National Assembly for Wales. There have been no calls in the Welsh Parliament for either net zero or sustainable development commitments or targets to be scrapped.
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