Jane Davidson: Policy For The Planet - How One Small County Made Sustainability The Law

DNA Of Purpose

Today's guest is Jane Davidson and in her book ‘Future Gen - Lessons From A Small Country’ she explains how, as Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing in Wales, she proposed what became the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 – the first piece of legislation in history to place regenerative and sustainable practice at the heart of government. Unparalleled in scope and vision, the Act connects social, environmental, economic and cultural wellbeing and looks to solve complex issues through better decision-making. This may very well be the answer the whole world is waiting for.

Alongside her work with the the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act Jane also introduced the first plastic bag charge in the UK, and her recycling regulations took Wales to third best in the world. She created the Climate Change Commission for Wales, the post of Sustainable Futures Commissioner and the Wales Coast Path. In education, she piloted major curriculum changes for early years – and she integrated Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship – into the Welsh curriculum.

While Jane and I talked about many aspects of what it means to align policy with better outcomes for the planet there was one thing that she said to me that really stood out - and it was this. The words economy and ecology both contain one unifying phrase being the word ECO. Eco by definition is the environment, habitat or surroundings.

Based on this idea it seems only natural that our economy would be one that would be symbiotic with the environment, yet sadly in many parts of the world it is not. There is so much we can learn from one very small country with a very big mission to show all of us exactly what a sustainable country and that cares for future generations should look like.

So get ready to run with me through mountain tops of the welsh countryside with the one and only Jane Davidson. Welcome to the DNA Of Purpose podcast.

Download The Great Transformation Ebook: https://futurecrun.ch/the-great-transformation-ebook

---

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.