Welsh Environment Minister John Griffiths has announced a new White Paper, setting out proposals to legally obligate devolved public services in Wales to consider the ‘economic, social, environmental and long term implications’ of their decisions.

The White Paper, ‘A Sustainable Wales: Better choices for a better future’, sets out how the Sustainable Development Bill will be used to ‘improve decision making’ in schools, hospitals and local government and put sustainable development ‘right at the heart of the public service in Wales’.

Covering four main aspects, the White Paper focuses on:

1. Creating a new duty to make sustainable development the central organising principle of public service organisations in Wales;2. Setting up a new independent body for sustainable development;3. Creating ‘transitional arrangements’ to ensure organisations are ready for the new duty;4. Improving the accountability arrangements for sustainable development in Wales.

Speaking at Blaenavon Heritage Primary School in Torfaen, Griffiths addressed public service representatives to explain how the proposals would affect them.

He said: “We are committed to bringing forward legislation to put sustainable development right at the heart of the public service in Wales.

“Our approach is very much rooted in Welsh values, with a focus on fairness, pride in our communities and our heritage. It places great importance on taking the best decisions for Wales, and thinking about our children’s future and our all round quality of life.

“The proposals set out in this White Paper are about focusing on the social, economic and environmental wellbeing for Welsh people and Welsh communities over the long term. I am confident that they will help us make better choices for a better future.”

Organisations that would be bound by the proposed duty include the Welsh Government, local authorities, fire and rescue services, NHS Trusts, Local Health Boards, Natural Resources Wales, National Library of Wales, National Museum of Wales, and the Arts Council of Wales, amongst others.

A consultation on the initial proposals for the bill were held earlier this year, and the Welsh Government is now calling for interested parties to submit their views on the proposals outlined in the White Paper. All responses should be received by 4 March 2013.

A series of events outlining the bill will be held across Wales in 2013, with each event including an overview of the White Paper proposals and a full day workshop briefing senior staff in organisations on how they will be directly affected by the bill and considering the ‘detailed implications’ for their organisations.

Events will be held at Carmarthen (15-16 January), Llandudno Junction (29-30 January), Cardiff (5-6 February) and Llandrindod Wells (12-13 February).

An event for finance staff will also be held in Parc Natngarw, Cardiff on 8 February.

Read the White Paper and find out more information about the White Paper consultation.