Thinking outside the neoliberal box? The discursive potential of national climate legislation for the local governance of climate change

Figures & data

Table 1. The seven well-being goals set out by the WBFGA. Adapted from: Welsh Government (2015a).

Goal	Description of goal
A prosperous Wales	An innovative, productive and low carbon society which recognises the limits of the global environment and therefore uses resources efficiently and proportionally (including acting on climate change); and which develops a skilled and well-educated population in an economy which generates wealth and provides employment opportunities, allowing people to take advantage of the wealth generated through securing decent work.
A resilient Wales	A nation which maintains and enhances a biodiverse natural environment with healthy functioning ecosystems that support social, economic and ecological resilience and the capacity to adapt to change (for example climate change).
A healthier Wales	A society in which people's physical and mental well-being is maximised and in which choices and behaviours that benefit future health are understood.
A more equal Wales	A society that enables people to fulfil their potential no matter what their background or circumstances (including their socio economic background and circumstances).
A Wales of cohesive communities	Attractive, viable, safe and well-connected communities.
A Wales of vibrant culture and thriving Welsh language	A society that promotes and protects culture, heritage and the Welsh language, and which encourages people to participate in the arts, and sports and recreation.
A globally responsible Wales	A nation which, when doing anything to improve the economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales, takes account of whether doing such a thing may make a positive contribution to global well-being and the capacity to adapt to change (for example climate change).

Table 2. Coding schedule used for identifying discourses in Well-being assessments.

Coding schedule (Well-being assessments)
	Identification of neoliberal characteristics	Discursive potential
Ideas	Naturalisation of economic growth	Awareness of plurality
	Climate managerialism	Other ways of seeing the environment (e.g. focus on transcendental qualities)
	Compartmentalism
	Emphasis on private sector participation	Environment seen as a necessity
	Inter-local competition and branding	Connecting climate change & well-being
	Climate change as just one of many issues	Recognition of trade-offs
Language	Investment	Collective language, for example: future generations, young people, community, wider world, collaboration and involvement
	Assets
	Capital
	Consumer	Holistic & integrated language, for example: environment integral to society, at the heart of well-being and underpinning life
	Efficiency
	Innovation
	Entrepreneur(ial)

Table 3. Interviewee codes.

Number	PSB	Details of involvement
I1	National Involvement	Involved in development of act
I2	Pembrokeshire	Brought in to serve on PSB
I3	Swansea	Brought in to serve on PSB
I4	Torfaen	Local Authority
I5	Ceredigion	Brought in to serve on PSB
I6	Monmouthshire	Local Authority
I7	Ceredigion	Local Authority
I8	Cwm Taf	Local Authority
I9	National Involvement	Involved in development of act
I10	Newport	Local Authority
I11	Bridgend	Local Authority
I12	Pembrokeshire	Local Authority
I13	Merthyr Tydfil	Local Authority
I14	Bridgend	Brought in to serve on PSB
I15	Pembrokeshire	Brought in to serve on PSB