Celtic culture and industrial past
Celtic culture, which still permeates the country, confers great importance on nature, and encourages respect for and protection of it. It was often in nature's resources that people found their salvation, if we are to believe Welsh legends such as that of the physicians of Myddfai, who used plants in their practice. Nature was also put to the test by industrialization in the 19th century, based on coal mining and steelmaking. This is part of the country's dual heritage. The mine and the valley are the central characters in Richard Llewellyn's 1939 novel Qu'elle était verte ma vallée(for film buffs, John Ford's film of the same name was shot... in California). Today, there is still a small amount of mining activity in Wales. The maintenance of a thermal power station and heavy industry weighs heavily on the territory's carbon footprint, preventing it from achieving the greenhouse gas reduction targets set out in its legislation.
Ambitious legislation and further action
Wales is a star performer when it comes to the environment. In 1998, it became the first country to enshrine the principle of sustainable development in its constitution. In 2008, the country was named a Fairtrade First Nation, which means it has committed to certain criteria, including the involvement of all its communities in this area. Two founding laws were subsequently enacted. The Well-Being of Future Generations Act, passed in 2015, encourages the implementation of sustainable development in public bodies, including a section on territorial resilience. The second Act, the Environment (Wales) Act, passed in 2016, aims to integrate sustainable management of natural resources, better waste management and sets a target of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. The law has led to many virtuous actions. In 2017, Wales boasted a 62% recycling rate for its waste, placing it among the best countries in the world, with the aim of achieving a "zero waste" economy by 2050. However, the country is not living up to its ambitions when it comes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The use of fossil fuels is the main cause. According to the National Atmosphere Emissions, Wales has reduced its emissions by just 18% compared with 1990.
Unique and varied natural spaces
Wales is a destination that will appeal to the curious and nature-lovers alike, thanks to the beauty and variety of its landscapes, combined with its unique biodiversity. The territory is made up of seashores, moors and mountains. Various organizations ensure the protection of these areas, compatible with responsible tourism. Visitors can visit one of the country's 3 national parks, or stroll through one of the National Trust's properties.
Snowdonia National Park. Located in north-west Wales, this is the largest national park in terms of surface area, culminating at 1,085 meters above sea level with Mount Snowdon. It combines mountain, lake and heather moorland landscapes with sublime coastal environments, such as white sandy beaches and wild coves. A network of trails crosses these exceptional landscapes. A tourist steam train also provides access to certain areas of the park.
The Brecon Beacons National Park is entirely terrestrial. It is made up of mountains, plateaus, forests and valleys. It is also home to picturesque villages such as Hay-on-Wye, and an industrial cultural heritage. The Black Mountains were once an important mining site, and the UNESCO-listed town of Blaenavon is home to the National Mining Museum. The area offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including walking, boating and cycling, particularly along the Monmouth Canal.
Pembrokeshire National Park: this is a coastal park in the west of the region. Here, visitors can enjoy the beauty of alternating cliffs, coves and sandy beaches.
Wales has also conferred a special status on certain areas of its territory, presenting outstanding natural beauty (Outstanding National Beauty). These include the Gower Peninsula, the Isle of Anglesey, the Llŷn Peninsula, the Clwydian Mountains, the Dee Valley and the Wye Valley.
The National Trust
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, founded in 1885, is now the UK's second largest landowner after the Crown. It aims to protect remarkable places such as estates, castles, gardens and coastal areas, allowing access to visitors. In Wales, over 250 kilometers of coastline are protected by the institution.
Two "green" initiatives in Wales
"Roughly the size of Wales" is an expression often used in a negative sense in the UK, particularly when estimating orders of magnitude for the destruction of natural areas. Activists have decided to transform its meaning... positively. The "Size of Wales" charity fund has raised enough money in three years to protect rainforests... the size of Wales.
The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT)
If you're looking for concrete solutions in the field of ecological living, then don't hesitate to take the small road that will lead you to the Centre for Alternative Technology. The CAT was built in 1973 on a disused slate quarrying site by volunteers, engineers and architects, who wanted to experiment with alternatives to fossil fuels. Today, it is also a facility that welcomes and educates the general public, and a university training center.
