Dr Tadhg O'Mahony

On Wednesday February 5^th Dr. Tadhg O’Mahony Assistant Professor in Environmental Policy at UCD hosted the architect of the Welsh Future Generations Act, Jane Davidson, for a day of events. Jane is a former Welsh Minister and a high-profile international advocate of mainstreaming sustainable development, of listening to the voices of future generations and of platforming wellbeing centrally in public policy. Her book ‘#futuregen Lessons from a small country’ (Davidson, 2020) aligns closely with Tadhg’s research and policy work on these topics (O’Mahony, 2022). The response she articulates overcomes the central problem with sustainable development globally -as both meaningless and marginalised- by establishing it centrally in the role of all policy development.

The packed itinerary commenced with meetings with UCD Earth Institute Director Prof. Eoin O’Neill, followed by the representation of the Welsh Office in Ireland, Iain Quick, who is linking this topic with the upcoming British-Irish council meeting and with the European Commission. This was followed by a well-attended panel discussion in the Trapdoor Theatre in UCD Newman Building, on the need for a Future Generation Commission for Ireland. The event was attended by a variety of key stakeholders in policy and in academia. Jane began by describing the experience and outcomes of the Welsh Act, the success of which has led to Wales gaining considerable soft power globally. Wales is fast becoming an internationally lauded example of effective sustainable development policy, that meets the crises of our times, and Jane’s work is being used as a template for the UN 2.0 process. The address placed wellbeing centrally, while acknowledging ways of working that facilitate, and the importance of culture. Her address prominently emphasised the need for legislation to be statutory, not just advisory, as characterises Ireland’s current institutional arrangements, if change is to be supported.

This was followed by Dr. O’Mahony who highlighted both the major problems facing public policy, but also the significant good news story, in the win-win outcomes available through adopting transformative change. The talk progressed to considering the institutional reforms necessary to enable, both within existing institutions and in forming a bespoke Futures Generation Commission/ Commissioner. It emphasised the clear value, both selfish and selfless, in establishing a similar Act in Ireland, responding to climate and biodiversity crises by prioritising wellbeing, equity and nature as per his concept of ‘sustainable wellbeing’ in O’Mahony (2022).

A panel discussion ensued with the instigator of the Future Generations Act Private Members Bill in the 33rd Dáil, Marc Ó Cathasaigh, Prof Donncha Kavanagh of UCD Business and Assoc Prof Karen Keaveney of UCD Rural Development. In reaction, the panel strongly agreed on the benefits and opportunities of such legislation. Marc Ó Cathasaigh noted the limits of the current Irish wellbeing framework and the need for more substantial policy and a long-term view. Donncha Kavanagh emphasised the absence of this topic from the new Programme for Government, the considerable dearth of foresight work in Ireland, and the need for vision on ‘the Ireland we want’. Karen Keaveney described how people do not feel listened to, the importance of embedding just, resilient, nature positive approaches, and that the system centrally tells farmer’s not to change in development policy, while contradicting this by demanding improved performance through environmental policy.

The event surfaced the standard challenges and inertia prevalent in responses to climate and biodiversity crises, as inadequate topic framings and related ineffective policy measures, that continue to be deeply embedded in Irish policy. The event clarified that a long-term, inclusive and systemic approach is now urgently necessary if actions in Ireland are to become credible and sufficient to addressing the climate and biodiversity crises, and to unleashing the many benefits transformative change offers. The event was very well received by attendees who appreciated the substantial, insightful and constructive treatment of this pressing topic.

Next up was a beneficial meeting with Lena Jacob and Eoin O’Mahony responsible for the national wellbeing framework in the Taoiseach’s office, and a discussion of some of the benefits of their investment evaluation and options moving forward to deepen progress. The day continued with an appearance at the ‘Why Trust Science’ module in UCD. Jane Davidson was interviewed by Assoc. Prof. Shane Bergin, on addressing the challenges of our era, with students strongly appreciating the inspiring and meaningful discussion on how development must change course. Events then moved to the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, where Ireland’s Just Transition Commission were holding their second meeting since inception. Jane presented the content and means of accelerating progress, to move Wales to Net Zero by 2035, emphasising the importance of defined policy pathways for immediate, near and the longer term, and the necessity for planned transition. Key reports were presented on ‘Pathways to a Prosperous and Resilient Wales’ -outlining huge benefits to the Welsh public from pursuing net-zero- and ‘How could Wales feed itself in 2035’ acknowledging options for food-agriculture to transform towards prosperous livelihoods, healthy diets and low emissions, by moving away from livestock dominance.

Jane Davidson’s time in Ireland was very much appreciated by all. Her compelling and inspiring narrative, on the necessity and benefits of placing sustainable development at the core of policy, was matched by the pragmatism of effective policy means, and the requirement to legislate to achieve this. The gauntlet is now very much laid down to the 34^th Dáil to take ownership of this crucial initiative, to legislate to enable a bright future for all in Ireland.

Sincere thanks to Prof. Eoin O’Neill, William Fitzmaurice, Caitríona Devery and Antonio Soler of UCD Earth Institute, whose determined efforts in assisting on both itinerary and event organisation helped to deliver a high impact with mere weeks of preparation.

This event was supported by the UCD Policy Interface through funding from the HEA, and through UCD Environmental Policy.

#wales #ireland #futuregen #wellbeing #politics #sustainabledevelopment #institutions #vision #transformation