By Marina Ermina
IEFLL Research Fellow
Master Student at University of Iceland
September 2025
Introduction
The Global Footprint Network reports that people around the world are using more natural resources than the Earth can provide leading to an ecological deficit of 1.2 global hectares (gha) per person, which is equivalent to using the resources of 1.8 Earths annually (GFN, 2024). This overshoot occurs because we are depleting our natural capital faster than it can be replenished. The Welsh Government recognises the importance of reducing environmental impact at all levels – global, national, and individual aiming to achieve net-zero carbon emissions, one-planet resource use, and zero waste by 2050 (Welsh Government, 2015). The concept of the ecological footprint (EF) has played a key role in shaping Wales’ early sustainable development policies and has been incorporated into 2009 “One Wales: One Planet” scheme (Welsh Assembly Government, 2009). This plan committed to reduce Wales’ EF to the global average resource availability per person within a generation leading to the development of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 (Welsh Government, 2015 a). A central focus of the Act is achieving intergenerational justice and ensuring that Wales operates within global environmental limits.
One Planet Development
One Planet Development (OPD) is part of the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Development Scheme, “One Wales: One Planet” supported by “One Planet Living” concept encouraging people to live within the planet’s limits without depleting its resources (Harris, 2019; Welsh Government, 2010). The scheme aims to ensure Wales uses only its fair share of the Earth’s resources by reducing its EF to match what is globally available (Welsh Government, 2012). The OPD policy uses EF as a key measure of sustainability aiming to align resource use with the planet’s overall biocapacity while maintaining net-zero carbon living (Welsh Government, 2012). OPD helps smallholders in rural areas get planning permission to build their own low-cost, eco-friendly homes, making sustainable housing more accessible (One Planet Council, undated). Thus, it also helps tackle the UK’s housing crisis, which has been made worse by a shortage of affordable homes.
Currently, 59 “low-impact” smallholdings in Wales operate under the OPD policy (One Planet Council, 2023) proving it is possible to live within a “one planet” ecological footprint, a key measure of environmental sustainability (Global Footprint Network, undated). Lammas, the first settlement of nine smallholdings established under OPD, reduced its ecological footprint from 1.36 gha/person in 2010 to 0.8 gha/person by 2015, as reported in its annual report (Nelson, 2018). Approved applications and management plans are publicly available showcasing environmental innovations and data on achieving a “one planet” ecological footprint (One Planet Council, 2023).
Under OPD, rural homes can gain planning permission if they meet strict environmental sustainability standards. This policy applies to individual homes, communities, or larger settlements. Key requirements include achieving an ecological footprint of at least 2.4 gha/person in the first year and reducing it further over time ensuring carbon-neutral construction and use focusing on self-sufficiency (One Planet Council, 2022; Welsh Government, 2012). For instance, homes must produce at least 30% of their food on-site and earn 35% of their income from land-based activities (One Planet Council, 2022; Welsh Government, 2012). Other sustainability requirements include boosting biodiversity, improving soil health, cutting down waste, reducing carbon emissions, and ensuring a sustainable water source. Homes must also generate their own electricity on-site, although they can connect to the grid as a backup (One Planet Council, 2022; Welsh Government, 2012). This forward-thinking policy combines affordable housing with eco-friendly living aiming to lower environmental impact and support sustainable rural communities.
Well-being of Future Generations Act
The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 focuses on improving Wales’ social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being (Welsh Government, 2015 a). It sets out a shared vision for a better future through seven legally binding goals. These include building a prosperous, resilient, healthier, and more equal Wales, strengthening cohesive communities, celebrating Welsh culture, and promoting global responsibility. The Act encourages public bodies to think long-term, work together with communities, focus on preventing problems, and take a joined-up approach. It follows the sustainable development principle, which ensures today’s needs are met without harming future generations’ ability to meet theirs.
Welsh Government is required to publish national indicators to measure progress of achieving the Well-being of Future Generations Act goals. The Act sets out 46 national indicators, including the EF (referred as the Global footprint in Welsh Government reporting), which aligns with the following goals of a prosperous, resilient and globally responsible Wales (Welsh Government, 2015 b). The EF methodology estimates the land area needed to support a country’s consumption on a global scale by measuring the amount of biologically productive land and water required to produce the natural resources consumed and absorb the waste generated (Wackernagel & Rees, 1995). The recent report by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) provides valuable insights into the role of the EF in addressing climate and nature emergencies and supporting the goals of the Act (Lin et al., 2023; Welsh Government, 2015a; Welsh Government, 2015b). This report updates the data to 2018 and recalculates earlier figures to ensure consistent methods are used throughout the time series using the Global Footprint Network data combined with financial flow information through multi-regional input-output (MRIO) modeling.
The JNCC report shows that Wales’ EF steadily decreased between 2004 and 2018. In 2004, the footprint was 5.74 gha per person (17.0 million gha in total). After a slight increase in 2007, it consistently declined over the following years of 2011, 2014, and 2018 reaching its lowest point of 3.93 gha per person (12.3 million gha in total) in 2018 – this represents a 31.5% reduction over 14 years (Lin et al., 2023). By 2050, Wales aims to reduce its EF to its fair share of the planet’s resources, ensuring long-term global sustainability.
Conclusion
Wales has demonstrated strong leadership in sustainability through its One Planet Development strategy and the Well-being of Future Generations Act (Welsh Government, 2015 a). These initiatives highlight the country’s commitment to reducing its EF and promoting sustainable living. The OPD policy enables low-impact development in rural areas supporting carbon-neutral lifestyles and resource-efficient housing, while fostering self-sufficiency and biodiversity (Welsh Government, 2012). The Well-being of Future Generations Act sets legally binding goals to ensure long-term sustainability focusing on creating a prosperous, resilient, and globally responsible Wales. By using metrics like the EF, Wales monitors its progress toward using only its fair share of the planet’s resources by 2050. These efforts showcase how a nation can integrate ecological insights into policy balancing human needs with environmental responsibility and setting an example for global sustainability leadership.
References
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Harris, N. (2019). Exceptional spaces for sustainable living: The regulation of one planet developments in the open countryside. Planning Theory & Practice, 20(1), 11-36.
Lin, D.1, Iha, K.1, Galli, A.1, Wackernagel, M.1, West, C.2, Croft, S.2, Egan, C.2, Molotoks, A.2, Simpson, J.2, Caudle, K.2 & Harris, M.3 (2023). Understanding the Global Environmental Footprint and Impacts of Welsh Consumption. JNCC Report 743 (Project Report), JNCC, Peterborough, ISSN 0963-8091. https://hub.jncc.gov.uk/assets/dc81dd16-9b1c-4eeb-b350-dcadd5ade736
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