Why Wales Matters for Climate, Nature, and Social Justice

Wales is at a crossroads in the run-up to the Senedd elections, with polls suggesting that  Labour will lose the majority it has held since the 1920s. Will it lead the way to an increasingly progressive agenda and a new green economy or will it succumb to the rhetoric of fear and division? What happens in Wales on the 7th May 2026 could set the tone for Western Europe over the coming years. 

A Land of Connected Communities

As one of the Celtic nations, our people are embedded in their land.  A deep-rooted tradition of community solidarity, often tied to industrial and post-industrial communities, provides fertile ground for mobilisation and collaboration. 

Mutual aid, community groups and trade union movements have fostered a culture of collective support, and there has been a cultural resilience, in terms of preservation of the Welsh language, identity, and arts, often in the face of social or political marginalisation. As demonstrated by The National Eisteddfod, the largest cultural festival in Europe. Equally the people of Wales attach particular importance to intrinsic values, including equality, unity with nature, and protecting the environment, relative to others across the UK.  Noting that these values are globally rated the highest, despite consumerism’s drive towards individualism. 

This strong cultural bedrock creates a firm foundation for driving local community action.

A Land Rich in Natural Resources

Wales also has a vital role to play in place-based climate action. Cymru (Wales) is famed for its land rich in natural resources from its mountains to its beaches. With a third of the population density of England, 94% of the land is natural or farmland. Providing a significant opportunity for ecosystem services and nature-based climate solutions to support the whole of the UK and beyond.  

Our Mid Wales hills and reservoirs already provide the drinking water for the cities of Birmingham and Liverpool, with a pipeline proposed to supply the Thames Basin. The post-industrial heartlands to the North and South are also embracing a new economy through renewable energy technologies and green steel production at Port Talbot.  Furthermore, Wales is a net exporter of energy to the UK and has increased renewable electricity generation 10-fold since 2004.  The nation has the potential to be a renewable energy superpower. 

A Progressive Government has been at the Forefront of Global Action

A progressive Welsh Government has valued this natural resource wealth and rich cultural history, through landmark legislation such as the Future Generations Act 2015.  An inspiring framework which has been adopted by the UN and 143 countries.  Wales was also the first nation in the world to formally declare a climate emergency.  It joins other progressive Governments of New Zealand, Finland, Canada, Scotland and Iceland in The Wellbeing Economy Governments partnership (WEGo) in sharing expertise and transferrable policy practices to advance the building of Wellbeing Economies.

This progressive political environment creates the conditions for projects which demonstrate global best practice of joined-up and fair climate action planning. For example, Race to Zero Cymru: An innovative programme based around the global initiative to implement high-ambition, area-based net zero plans across all levels of society,  was developed by Climate Cymru & partners. The project led to all 14 of the UK national parks adopting  Race to Zero. 

In the face of a challenging global dynamic, such success stories provide templates for replicating decisive and inclusive delivery, which are replicable at national and subnational levels.

Yet Conditions are Ripe for Right-wing Populism

However, a history of extraction has left Wales as one of the most nature depleted countries in the world.  Furthermore, with some of the worst levels of social deprivation in the UK and 47% of the population now in very deep poverty, communities are at risk from divisive populist rhetoric. 

A well-funded populist narrative is positioning fossil fuels on the side of the masses and the cost of net zero as a burden to ordinary people.  Yet communities across Wales are bearing the brunt of climate change inaction through severe flooding events, wildfires and polluted waterways. Mouldy and poorly insulated Victorian terraces and rural properties also contribute to high energy bills.  Increases in cost of living is exacerbating this financial pressure, and remains the primary concern of voters across the UK.

Underfunded and Overlooked Civil Society is Under Mounting Pressure

Chronic under investment has further contributed to increased constraints on local communities.  Wales receives a third of the levels of philanthropic funding when compared to Scotland’s environmental sector. Furthermore, a higher reliance on the Lottery and Government grants leaves the Welsh third sector dangerously exposed to political swings and underserved in campaigning, advocacy and policy work.

Low funding levels have led to growing pressure on civil society to fill the gaps in provision. Small, grassroots charities know their communities best and are critical to the social, political and economic future of the UK. Yet they are facing a ‘perfect storm’ of increased costs and rising demand. Furthermore, only 17% of Welsh voluntary organisations are charities, yet 95% of grants require charity status, prohibiting them from accessing the vast majority of grants.  

All contributing to a poor resilience within the sector and communities remaining under supported.

Climate Cymru is at the Front Line of Mobilising the Climate Movement

Despite this dire environment, communities are self-organising and remain hopeful. We are delighted to support over 400 groups covering the depth and breadth of Wales, including 200 community events for Great Big Green Week and the Act Now Change Forever mass lobby.

Communities across the nation tell us that they are eager to do more, and with greater capacity, they could amplify their impact. Ensuring that Wales’ climate movement truly reflects the diversity of its people. Our cascading capacity model responds to the needs of under-resourced communities by sharing skills with our network, from fundraising support to communications expertise. However, we know this is simply a drop in the ocean in empowering and facilitating hyper-local action. 

May Elections are a Critical Political Moment in Securing the Global Climate Movement

The forthcoming Senedd elections in May 2026 will be a test bed for responding to increased polarisation due to toxic social media, poor economic prospects and frustrated and angry populations who know that the current system isn’t working for their benefit.  

The two voting options, which reflect a trend towards ‘change’ in Government, both rely on a strong sense of national identity and a pride in place in Wales. With Plaid Cymru and Reform UK advancing rapidly from the left and right fringes to vying for control of a future Welsh Government. The 2026 elections will be the first with proportional representation and the most politically important and uncertain for decades.  

Can Wales demonstrate that a narrative of positive, climate-friendly change wins elections? Giving the UK parties confidence to be bold on climate, nature and social justice in future elections. Or will Wales be pointed to as an example of failure?

With a Little Support our Network can Defend and Promote a Just Transition

Almost all the key issues for climate & nature are devolved – transport, buildings, agriculture, education and most of the energy portfolio. UK-wide initiatives and mandates mean that many announcements, campaigns and activities are irrelevant to Wales. A Wales-specific climate movement, relevant to the people of Wales, is critical for the buy-in of the Welsh public and is a mechanism to collaborate effectively with other home nations, UK-wide campaigns and organisations.

Elsewhere, campaigners spend much of their time and resources attempting to get their message heard by a key decision-maker. In Wales, politicians are much more accessible, especially for Climate Cymru because of the weight and diversity of our network of partners. We have regular, productive email exchanges with key decision-makers and meetings on key topics. Ensuring action on climate change remains at the heart of policy-making, whilst delivering a just transition for our communities across Wales.

However the people of Wales choose to vote, Climate Cymru will continue to champion inspiring everyday stories of local resilience and climate action. The places that we live – our neighbourhoods, our streets  and our schools will continue to be huge sites of imagination and address big societal challenges for people and nature.  

For more information on our diverse partners, narrative change and advocacy work see www.climate.cymru