Who we are
Sustainable Wales (SW) was established as a charity involving volunteers and became the first community based sustainable development organisation in Wales in 1997. Our aims are to change behaviour, working with communities, public sector bodies, the voluntary sector, small business and politicians. We believe that we are showing the way forward for community regeneration. SW is a member of many local and some Wales-wide networks and aware of the many agencies and staff involved in the protection of the environment and community regeneration.
In May 2009 the Welsh Government produced its latest Sustainable Development Scheme: ‘One Wales, One Planet’. The Scheme proposed SD as the central organising principle across all Ministerial portfolios and resulting policies. In 2012 a consultation period has begun for the new Sustainable Development Act for Wales.
We consider SW to be an organisation that has been helping (WG) achieve these ambitions within civil society. Our grass-roots experience and history of community activity mean that we can engage at street level, whilst communicating with civil servants or politicians. SW is one of very few Welsh charities that is able to turn environmental and social lifestyle ideals into meaningful action.
Location
Sustainable Wales is based in Porthcawl (map).
1st Floor, 41 John Street, Porthcawl, Wales, CF36 3AP
Phone: 01656 783405
Email: info@sustainablewales.org.uk
Ownership
Sustainable Wales is an unincorporated charitable trust (registration number 1065789/0) managed by an elected board of Trustees, who appoint a full-time director and other staff.
Trustees
- Bruce Kennedy, Chairman – former Chief Executive Producer HTV
- Philip Marks - National Infrastructure Development and Capacity Building Officer, Cylch
- Jan Walsh – Environmental Consultant. Director, Cotyledon
- Dr. Steven Harris – BSc, PhD, Research Fellow at the Schumacher Institute for Sustainable Systems, Bristol
- Richard Thomas – Musician, Environmental Consultant, Cylch Officer
SUSSED Directors
- Margaret Minhinnick
- Robert Minhinnick
- Richard Thomas
- Peter Morgan
- Martin Little
Advisors
- Robert Minhinnick - Poet, essayist and editor
- Gareth Clubb – Director Friends of the Earth Cymru
- Dr Frank O Connor - Director, Ecodesign Centre
- Simon O Rafferty - Ecodesign Centre
- Alwyn Jones - Philosopher and academic
- Martin Fitton - Environmental Consultant
- Philip McDonnell - Environmental Consultant
- Tina Eynon – Environmentalist
- Natalie Sargent – Development Officer – Vale Voluntary Services
- Lee Turner - Community Regeneration Manager, Groundwork Trust, Bridgend, Neath Port Talbot
- Ken Moon - Development Officer, Cylch
- Ben Dineen – Spice Development Officer
- Peter Morgan – Director SUSSED, media analyst
- Martin Little – SUSSED Director, accountant
Patrons
- Edward Goldsmith - Founder and editor ‘The Ecologist’ and writer. Died August 2009
- Jonathon Porritt - Writer, broadcaster, environmentalist, chair UK Sustainable Development Commission. 2000- 2009
- Jan Morris - Writer, broadcaster
- John Barnie - Editor ‘Planet’ magazine and writer
- Dafydd Iwan - Writer, musician, broadcaster
- John Humphries - Former editor ‘Western Mail’
- Angharad Tomos - Writer
- Hilary Llewellyn-Williams - Poet
Sustainable Development
Sustainable development is “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” Bruntland Report.
Sustainable development is therefore ’overarching’ and means taking account of the past, the present and the future locally and globally. Making a fair judgement on economic, social and environmental considerations. ‘ Sustainability ‘ is thus concerned with redefining ‘ quality of life’ in a global context.
We work with everybody - “from the street corner to the corridors of power.” Our clients include the Welsh Assembly Government and Environment Agency Wales, local authorities, health trusts, businesses, cultural agencies, individuals and community groups.
Sustainable Wales believes in prudent stewardship of the world, its people, places and natural resources. Sustainable Wales commits itself to act accordingly.