Posted on: Friday 7 November 2025
An event has been held to bring together community groups, organisations and volunteers working to tackling the climate and nature emergency in Torfaen.
Sixty people from more than 20 different organisations attended the Climate and Nature Gathering at The Settlement, Pontypool, today, organised by the council's environment, climate team and sustainability teams.
It also marked the official launch of the council's Healthy Planet, Healthy People initiative, which is a three-year £800,000 programme aimed getting a better understanding of and improving local nature.
Cllr Sue Morgan, Executive Member for Waste and Sustainability, said: “It's Wales Climate Week, which is a great opportunity to celebrate action being taken by communities to respond to a changing climate and the threat to our natural environment.
"It's also 10 years since Wales' ground-breaking Well-being of Future Generations Act, which considers the long-term impact of decisions into focus.
"Since 2020, the council has reduced carbon emissions from its buildings by 40 per cent, reduced fleet and equipment emissions by 33 percent, and has significantly increased the amount of land that we manage for nature.
"Welsh Government's ambition is for a net carbon zero public sector by 2030, and for Wales to become net carbon zero by 2050. There is still some way to go, but we want Torfaen to plays its part.
"This is why events like today, which enable groups and organisations to share ideas and best practice and collaborate on joint solutions is so important. We benefit from a strong community spirit, and there are many groups and individuals who want to protect our lovely valley and the resources of out planet for future generations. I want to thank them all.”
The event included presentations from the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales Derek Walker, the reuse charity Wastesavers, and the Development Trusts Association Wales, which supports community-led social enterprises.
Derek, Walker, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales said: “What I’ve been seen happening in Torfaen to address the nature emergency and to restore our natural environment is fantastic — some of the best examples of projects across Wales.”
Alan Harry, from Wastesavers charitable trust, said: "It's been a really interesting morning, sharing good practice with agencies and engaging with the community and their thoughts and ideas.”
The council's Healthy People, Healthy Planet initiative has received a total of £808,315 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, as part of a new Nature Towns and Cities programme.
It was one of only two project to receive funding. Find out more, including how you can get involved in the project, by visiting getinvolved.torfaen.gov.uk
Find out how you can help Torfaen become net carbon zero by 2050 by visiting the council's website.