Areas of expertise for interview or discussion

• The role of NICW, its mission and how it acts as an advisory body to Welsh Government.
• How to build Wales’ resilience against the effects of climate change, through infrastructure adaptations/mitigation.
• Renewable energy, including issues of community and local ownership
• Welsh infrastructure — with an emphasis on community and nature-based solutions which align and uphold the values of The Future Generations Act.
• Sustainable development principles, strategy and actions; how Wales has implemented the Sustainable Development Goals via the Future Generations Act
• STEM advocacy — addressing the skills gap; promoting gender equality; investing in local communities and resource to build a future-ready workforce.
• Open digital solutions and open source software — including ethical alternatives to mainstream social media platforms, e.g., Mastodon
• Governance and its role in improving the institutions of Wales
• Welsh language policy — how to play an active role in the uptake of the Welsh language.
• Key reports/publications:
  • ‘Building Resilience to Flooding in Wales 2050’;
  • ‘Preparing Wales for Renewable Energy 2050’
  • Why Wales should embrace Free and Open Source Software

Quote from Dr David Clubb, NICW Chair, about its latest report ‘Building Resilience to Flooding in Wales 2050’:

“We know that the public sector cannot protect every property. This knowledge should liberate us from the expectation that the state will ‘do it all’. Instead, we should expect public bodies to enable more action from us as citizens, households, communities and business owners.

“I believe that the Future Generations Act is a framework that can accelerate exactly this type of collaboration, improving outcomes and saving public expenditure in the long term.

“Wales’ challenges will only be solved by radical measures, implemented pragmatically, efficiently, and with sensitivity and understanding for those who will be hit hardest by climate change impacts.”

Further information:

Dr David Clubb is Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission for Wales (NCIW) — an independent, non-statutory, advisory body to Welsh Ministers. 

Established in 2018, NICW conducts studies into Wales’ most pressing infrastructure challenges and makes strategic recommendations to the Welsh Government — for the benefit of future generations. As Chair, David is responsible for the governance and overall performance of the Commission, shaping policy to meet future challenges, including climate change and sustainability. 

As part of his mission to improve the visibility and level of debate on governance in Wales, he has created Boards Wales as a free public resource for people interested in board issues.

Having qualified as a Chartered Physicist, David has two decades of experience working in the energy and environment sectors. This includes participating in the Global Infrastructure Hub; the Zero Carbon Wales 2035 Challenge Group; and the Investment Delivery Forum — to name but a few. David was previously Head of Digital at Renewable UK, and Director at Renewable UK Cymru.

His experience has led him to his current role as founding Partner of Afallen — an SME aimed at supporting the Welsh economy by assisting organisations in implementing a Future Generations approach.

As part of this, David is committed towards leading discussion and action around STEM skills in Wales and sat on the Welsh Government Equity in STEM Board for seven years — specifically delivering for those who are under-represented within education or the workforce. He leads classes on issues of data privacy and the benefits of open source software in his local primary school.

Areas of expertise for interview or discussion

• The role of NICW, its objectives and its responsibilities as an advisory body shaping the future of Welsh infrastructure.
• How to strengthen Wales’ resilience against the effects of climate change, through infrastructure adaptations/mitigation.
• The Commission’s recommendations for Welsh Government to increase resilience to flooding in Wales.
• Public sector policy development across transport, procurement and decarbonisation.
• Sustainability, climate change and biodiversity solutions within Public Health Wales and its partners across the health system.
• Welsh infrastructure — with an emphasis on community and nature-based solutions, which align and uphold the values of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act.
• Key reports/publications — ‘Building Resilience to Flooding in Wales 2050’

Quote from Dr Eurgain Powell, NICW Commissioner about NICW’s latest report ‘Building Resilience to Flooding in Wales 2050’:

“Our climate is getting warmer and wetter. In July the Met Office State of the UK Climate report highlighted that Wales has seen a 24% increase in rainfall (compared to the 1961-1990 average), and the UK experienced 7 named storms during 2023-24. But the UK Committee on Climate Change has warned repeatedly that the UK and Wales is not prepared for these impacts.

“Our work has shown that we need a different approach – one that works with people and nature. It’s critical that we come together, to help everyone understand the changes that are going to happen, and how we can work collectively to build more resilient communities.”

Further information:

Dr Eurgain Powell is a Commissioner of the National Infrastructure Commission for Wales (NICW) — an independent, non-statutory, advisory body to Welsh Ministers. 

Established in 2018, NICW conducts studies into Wales’ most pressing infrastructure challenges and makes strategic recommendations to the Welsh Government — for the benefit of future generations.

Eurgain has recently led on NICW’s latest report ‘Building Resilience to Flooding in Wales 2050’ — which outlines 17 recommendations for Welsh Ministers to future-proof Wales against the growing risks of flooding over the next 25+ years. These recommendations emphasise natural solutions — placing nature and community integration at the forefront.

Currently a Sustainable Development Programme Manager for Public Health Wales, Eurgain has 20 years of experience working in the field of sustainable development and climate change within the public sector in Wales.

Over that time, she has advised on policy development across transport, decarbonisation, procurement and housing whilst working for the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales and the Climate Change Commission for Wales — helping to influence key Welsh Government strategies and decisions.

She was recently a member of the Wales Net Zero 2035 Advisory group chaired by Jane Davidson, publishing their reports and advice in September 2024 on how Wales could get to net zero in energy, food, heating and transport in the next decade: Wales Net Zero 2035