New Report: Sustainable Wales’ housing decarbonisation priorities.

2026 Senedd Manifesto Recommendations

Sustainable Wales’ housing decarbonisation priorities.

Sustainable Wales is Wales’ first and longest-running grassroots sustainable development organisation. We work with individuals, communities, voluntary groups, schools, educators, local authorities, public sector bodies, businesses, civil servants and politicians to offerconstructive and practical solutions and encourage a passion for sustainable living.

Wales has some of the oldest and least efficient housing stock in Europe, while our energy bills are among the highest in Europe. For many households every day sees them making an impossible choice between heating or eating.

Housing is integral to peoples’ perception of place and decarbonising homes in Wales will bring significant benefits across a series of social and economic spheres and should be a priority for all parties ahead of the 2026 Senedd election.

As an organisation, we have significant housing policy-related experience developed over multiple projects over the past 20 years. We are also fortunate to have Advisors and Trustees with considerable experience in Welsh housing and housing decarbonisation.

We have set out our position in this report.

(updated) Bridgend Adapts - Building a climate resilient community together. Maesteg Meeting

Update post event:

-       Kathryn’s Bridgend Adapts presentation drew attention to the Public Service Boards’s Climate Change Risk Assessment  Report pinch-points, outlining the need for communities to prepare now for localised responses and she recommended the development of a community-based network.

-       The LA presentation provided a quite detailed overview of the CC Risk Assessment report, that there are potential risky areas, reinforcing the need to adapt. Common concerns emerged - that there is not enough funding within local authorities to take action.

-       A strong agreement that the community sector can play a key role in climate adaptation but support is needed. A feeling that our idea of a Climate Adaption support network would be a way forward and enable a closer link with the LA and the Public Service Board.

Thanks to EGIN for their support for this event.

Advert for the event

INVITATION TO ALL COMMUNITY GROUPS AND REPRESENTATIVES

Maesteg Town Hall ( Y BOCS OREN )

Tuesday 1st July, 12,30 PM FOR 1PM START CLOSE 3 - 3.30PM

Run by Egin Mentor Margaret Minhinnick

Free refreshments and open to all

Speakers include Kathryn Warren (Sustainable Wales) and Helen Hammond (Public Service Board)

RSVP Eventbrite or bridgend-adapts@sustainablewales.org.uk

GWAHODDIAD I BOB GRŴP A CHYNRYCHIOLYDD CYMUNEDOL
Bridgend yn Addasu – Adeiladu cymuned sy’n wydn i’r hinsawdd gyda’n gilydd

Neuadd Dref Maesteg (Y BOCS OREN)

Dydd Mawrth 1af Gorffennaf, 12.30yp AM 1yp DECHRAU, YN CAU 3 – 3.30yp

Wedi’i redeg gan Egin Mentor Margaret Minhinnick

Adloniant am ddim ac yn agored i bawb

Siaradwyr yn cynnwys Kathryn Warren (Cymru Gynaliadwy) a Helen Hammond (Bwrdd Gwasanaethau Cyhoeddus)

RSVP drwy Eventbrite neu bridgend-adapts@sustainablewales.org.uk

Eventbrite link:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bridgend-adapts-pen-y-bont-ar-ogwr-yn-addasu-tickets-1392381974969?aff=oddtdtcreator

Or contact bridgend-adapts@sustainablewales.org.uk to book.

Successful Launch of Sleepwalking Into Climate Change? films

Monday, 29th January saw the public launch at the Hi Tide, Porthcawl of three short films highlighting, especially young people’s concerns about climate change -‘Sleepwalking into Climate Change?

Watch the films here

The event was great, with close to 100 people attending, including the leader of Bridgend CBC, Cllr Huw David , Cllr John Spanswick and Town Councillor Jonathon Pratt.

Porthcawl and Bridgend will not be immune and so the films were made on location in Porthcawl, to also challenge and recognise that we all have a role - public, politicians and pundits - NOW. 

Discussions were held after each film and the politicians joined in the conversations. We were delighted with the public response.

Notes were taken of concerns and opinion and many comments were filmed. These will be sent to the Welsh government’s ‘Climate Conversation’ team, who are gathering evidence across Wales from public events to help inform a new policy. The aim to help guide organisations to plan for net zero in a fair and just way called ‘A Just Transition Framework‘  to be published this year.

However, the next meeting for those who want to help propel a sustainable future is on February 14th 2024 6.45pm in the Green Room above SUSSED. Porthcawl CF36 3BG Snacks and refreshments will be provided – it’s Valentine’s Day!