Wales Environment Link Manifesto
Policy Priorities for Wales 2011 - 2015
In the run up to the 2011 Assembly elections, WEL has produced a Manifesto to inform political parties of our joint policy priorities for 2011-2015. These priorities were identified and approved by our member organisations and Working Groups, in their respective areas of expertise. They represent a set of well-informed, realistic and achievable priorities.
Introduction
The environment is the foundation for everything we do: it is the source of our energy, food and water, a place for exercise and enjoyment, it affects our health and is quite simply where we live and work. This puts the environment right at the heart of the work of any government, even more so in Wales where the duty, enshrined in the Government of Wales Act 2006, places sustainable development as central to everything the Welsh Assembly Government does.
Sustainable development means making decisions for Wales which allow us to live within environmental limits. Whether related to town and country planning, energy, transport, health or biodiversity, taking action based on sustainability principles will provide a secure future for the people, wildlife and environment of Wales and will prepare Wales for the effects of a changing climate. Wales Environment Link believes that now, more than ever, sustainable development should be at the heart of government.
Living sustainably requires both decision making and lifestyle changes. These changes may be difficult in the short term and they may meet resistance in some quarters: but short term investments will bring huge long term savings and there are significant rewards to be gained for the economy and well-being of Wales. In this manifesto, Wales Environment Link has set out the steps that we consider the future Welsh Assembly Government should take in order to ensure a sustainable future for the people and environment of Wales.
WEL's priorities for Wales 2011-2015 in different policy areas are available via the following links:
Download the full WEL Manifesto 2011-2015 (English) here
Download the full WEL Manifesto 2011 - 2015 (Welsh) here
WEL's priorities for the 2007 - 2011 Assembly can be viewed here