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Wales

Supporting the built environment in Wales to deliver more sustainable projects, improve their profitability and win more business.

Cymraeg

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Working to build a sustainable Wales

Wales is leading the drive to a more sustainable future, no more so than in the built environment sector. A key driver in Wales is to ensure that projects are delivered in a way that enhances the environment, creates new jobs and apprenticeships and benefits local communities through new investment.

The Welsh built environment sector has significant legislation and policy drivers that shape our sustainability priorities in the buildings and infrastructure that we build and maintain.

The Supply Chain Sustainability School in Wales helps to provide support to the built environment by providing free training resources to help you build your skills and knowledge in the area of sustainability.

The Well-being of Future Generations Act

A short animated video explaining the key aspects of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 by the Welsh Government.

Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015

What is different about sustainability in Wales?

The School has developed specific resources to help understand and address the sustainability priorities of the built environment in Wales. There are some major differences in policy and legislation. Please click on the questions below to find out more. 

The Environment (Wales) Act 2016 puts in place the legislation needed to plan and manage Wales’ natural resources in a more proactive, sustainable and joined-up way. This positions Wales as a low carbon, green economy, ready to adapt to the impacts of climate change. It has been carefully designed to help secure Wales’ long-term well-being, so that current and future generations benefit from a prosperous economy, a healthy and resilient environment and vibrant, cohesive communities.

Since 31 December 2011, the Welsh Assembly has had responsibility for setting Building Regulations in Wales. At the moment, many of the same Building Regulations that apply in England also apply in Wales. However, there are also some important differences.  The links in our resource library will guide you to the key documents that explain the key differences that you as a supplier are responsible for meeting.

The Act requires public bodies in Wales to think about the long-term impact of their decisions, to work better with people, communities and each other, and to prevent persistent problems such as
poverty, health inequalities and climate change. The Act is unique to Wales attracting interest from
countries across the world as it offers a huge opportunity to make a long-lasting, positive change to
current and future generations.

The Welsh Community Benefits Measurement Tool is used to report and monetise the Social Value generated by certain projects in Wales. If you are bidding for work in Wales you will need to consider how you can help generate and measure wider benefits for the community as a result of the work you are undertaking.

The Welsh Government has published a guide to implementing the Living Wage across Wales and how this can be driven through procurement. Whilst public sector organisations cannot make
payment of the Living Wage a mandatory requirement the Welsh Assembly is committed to promoting the benefits of being a Living Wage Employer.

The Welsh Assembly is committed to ensuring workers are treated fairly and with respect and to making Wales hostile to slavery.  Welsh Government figures show 193 potential victims of slavery were flagged last year.  The Welsh Assembly have produced The Code of Practice – Ethical Employment in Supply Chains which is designed to help ensure workers in public sector supply chains in Wales are employed in a fair and ethical way.

The Welsh Government recently launched the ‘Code of Practice: Ethical Employment in Supply Chains’ to help ensure ethical and lawful employment for workers in public sectors in supply chains. Watch our video to find out more

Key topics for the Welsh sector

To help our members develop a holistic understanding of the impacts relevant to the Welsh sector, we offer a suite of resources on the following related sub-topics:

All Resources Back to all Topics
Topic
Energy and Carbon Training

Climate change is the biggest issue of our time and…

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Slavery
Topic
Modern Slavery

With an estimated 49.6 million victims worldwide, modern slavery is…

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Topic
Social Value Training

Social Value is more important than ever and has a…

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Topic
Waste and Resource Efficiency

Changing the mindset from 'waste' to 'resources' and improving efficiency…

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Key resources for the Welsh sector

The School has developed specific resources for Wales to understand and address its sustainability priorities. To view more, visit the full resource library.

All Resources Back to all Topics
Wellbeing

Wellbeing

Well-being of Future Generations Act in Wales

E-learning module

Covers what the Act is and how your business can benefit from it.

Beginner
Duration 30 minutes
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Sustainability Strategy

Sustainability Strategy

Introduction to Sustainable Construction in Wales

E-learning module

Key sustainability issues specific to the Welsh construction industry.
Beginner
Duration 30 minutes
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Sustainability Strategy

Sustainability Strategy

Natural Resources Wales – Corporate Plan to 2030

Web link

Nature and people thriving together.
Intermediate
Duration 30 minutes
Learn More
Sustainability Strategy

Sustainability Strategy

Future Wales: The National Plan 2040

Document/Presentation

Development plan for Wales. 
Advanced
Duration 120 minutes
Learn More

Interesting in joining the Wales Leadership Group?

Find out more about joining the Wales Leadership Group here.

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“The School allows us to convey a consistent message to the industry on what we need across our supply chain to demonstrate a sustainable performance.”
Simon Richards, Regional Sustainability & Quality Manager, Sir Robert McAlpine
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