Celtic culture and industrial past
The Celtic culture, which still permeates the country, gives great importance to nature and encourages respect and protection of it. It is often in the resources of this one that the Men found their salvation, if one believes the Welsh legends, like that of the doctors of Myddfai, who used the plants in their practice. Nature was also put to the test by the industrialisation that developed in the 19th century, based on the exploitation of coal (coal mines) and steelworks. This is part of the country's dual heritage. The mine and the valley are thus the central characters in Richard Llewellyn's 1939 novel, Green was My
Valley (watch out, for movie buffs, John Ford's film of the same name was shot in California). Today, there is still a small mining activity in Wales. Maintaining a thermal power station and heavy industry weighs on the territory's carbon balance, preventing it from meeting the greenhouse gas reduction targets set out in its legislation.Ambitious legislation and further action
Wales is a good environmental performer. In 1998, it was the first country to enshrine the principle of sustainable development in its constitution. In 2008, the country was named Fair Trade First Nation, meaning that it has committed to respecting certain criteria, including the involvement of all its communities in this issue. Subsequently, two founding laws were enacted. The Well-Being of Future Generations Act , passed in 2015, encourages the implementation of sustainable development in public organizations, with a section on the resilience of the territory. The second Act, the Environment (Wales) Act, passed in 2016, aims to integrate sustainable management of natural resources and better waste management and sets a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. The Act has led to many virtuous actions. In 2017, Wales had a 62% waste recycling rate, 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 in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The use of fossil resources is the main cause. According to the National Atmosphere Emissions, Wales has reduced its emissions by only 18% compared to 1990.Unique and varied natural spaces
Wales is a destination that will seduce the curious and nature-loving with the beauty and variety of its landscapes, combined with a unique biodiversity. The territory is indeed made up of sea shores, moors and mountains. Various organisations ensure the protection of these areas, compatible with responsible tourism. Visitors will be able to visit one of the 3 national parks in the country, or walk on one of the National Trust's properties.
The Snowdonia National Park. Located in north-west Wales, it is the largest national park in size, culminating at 1,085 metres above sea level with Mount Snowdon. It combines areas of mountains, lakes and heathland with simply stunning coastal environments such as white sandy beaches and wild coves. An entire 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 on land. 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 town of Blaenavon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to the National Mining Museum. It is an area that allows many nature activities such as walking, sailing or cycling, especially along the Monmouth Canal.
The Pembrokeshire National Park: this is a coastal park extending to the west of the territory. The visitor will discover beautiful landscapes, alternating cliffs, creeks and sandy beaches.
Wales has also conferred a special status to certain areas of its territory, presenting a remarkable natural beauty (Outstanding National beauty). There are five such areas in the country: the Gower Peninsula; the Isle of Anglesey; the peninsula of Llŷn; 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 today the second largest owner in the United Kingdom after the Crown. It aims to protect outstanding places such as properties, castles, gardens and coastal areas by providing access for visitors. In Wales, more than 250 kilometres of coastline are protected by the institution.
Two "green" initiatives in Wales
"Size of Wales"
"Roughly the size of Wales" is an expression often used in a negative sense in the United Kingdom, particularly to estimate orders of magnitude concerning the destruction of natural areas. Activists have decided to change its meaning... positively. The charity fund "Size of Wales" has thus managed in three years to collect the sum necessary to protect tropical forests... the size of Wales.
The Center for Alternative Technology (CAT)
If you are looking for concrete solutions for ecological housing, then don't hesitate to take the small road that will lead you to the Center for Alternative Technology. The CAT was built in 1973 in a disused slate mining site by volunteers, engineers and architects, who wanted to experiment with alternatives to fossil fuels. Today, it is also a structure that welcomes and raises the awareness of all types of public and a university training centre.
