Andorra GPS Proposes Bill for Future Generations' Welfare Defender

The social-democratic parliamentary group (GPS) in Andorra has submitted a bill to the General Council aimed at safeguarding future generations through long-term assessments of public policies. The proposal introduces intergenerational justice to address challenges including the climate emergency, housing crisis, social inequalities, and economic transformation.

GPS president Susanna Vela, alongside general councillors Pere Baró and Laia Moliné, presented the measure, which originated from a motion at the latest PS congress. It draws on international commitments such as the UN's Agenda 2030, the 2015 Paris Agreement, the 2023 Reykjavík Declaration on human rights and climate, and Andorra's domestic framework, including 1983 legislation on sustainable development and constitutional protections for natural resources and cultural heritage. Vela highlighted the need for an institution to evaluate policies' future impacts, turning pledges into a stable governance framework.

The bill applies to the general administration, communes, General Council, public and parapublic entities, and private operators managing essential public services or receiving significant state funding. It mandates principles of sustainable development, participation and transparency, precaution and prevention, ecosocial justice, the common good, and non-regression on environmental standards. Policies must pursue eight well-being objectives: a diversified sustainable economy, natural environment protection, integral health and welfare, equal opportunities, affordable dignified housing, social cohesion, and cultural preservation.

Key requirements include impact reports for all normative projects on future generations' welfare, plus biennial government evaluations for public debate in the General Council. Moliné emphasized learning from past errors through coherence, monitoring, and political accountability, especially in housing, land use, public services, health, and equality. She noted that short-term choices create barriers to youth emancipation, job stability, and life projects, fostering frustration and disconnection. "Public policies must look to the future, or they risk burdening young people with poorly planned decisions," she said, stressing precaution and non-regression to avoid mortgaging tomorrow.

The bill establishes an independent Defensor del Benestar de les Generacions Futures, attached to the General Council and appointed for a five-year term—renewable once—by its Youth and Environment committees, based on integrity, qualifications, and merit. The role promotes sustainable development, safeguards future interests, enjoys organizational autonomy for staff, receives a dedicated Council budget audited by the Audit Office, and includes an unpaid advisory committee of six experts in public health, youth, environment, equality, and related fields. Baró added that the defender would develop guidelines, advise public bodies, and issue annual reports with improvement proposals, building on the 2021 Youth Agreement.

The GPS seeks to launch debate on institutional responsibilities for long-term social, economic, and ecological welfare.