The National Library of Wales is marking Green Libraries Week 2026 with a series of activities and
events designed to promote environmental sustainability, raise climate awareness and highlight the
role that libraries play in supporting climate action.
On Wednesday 21 October, the Library will once again welcome participants of the EV Rally Cymru,
as a Checkpoint Host for GREENFLEET’s two-day electric vehicle rally. Travelling a distance of 400
miles from Cardiff to North Wales, the rally brings together more than 25 electric vehicles and over
45 drivers, with this year’s theme focusing on ‘Busting the Myths’ around electric vehicles and public
charging. The Library is home to Wales’s biggest EV charging site, with 40 charging points and 1,622
solar panels producing electricity.
On Tuesday 27 October, the Library will host a free screening of The People’s Emergency Briefing
which is open to all. The screening will be followed by a discussion about what climate challenges
mean for the community, the Library, and what actions can be taken at a local level.
The activities began on Thursday 15 October with a launch by the University of Wales Centre for
Welsh and Celtic Studies in Partnership with the Library of new digital editions of Tours in Wales by
the famous naturalist and antiquarian Thomas Pennant. The digital editions are available to read on
the Curious Travellers website. Pennant’s work offers important insights about how people’s
relationship with nature was changing during the industrial revolution.
The National Library’s Public Libraries Project Manager, Caru Hughes, has also been working to
support public libraries across Wales to participate in Green Libraries Week and deliver a range of
creative and community-based activities. Highlights include a climate-themed willow lantern
workshops led by Wild Art Wales in Gwynedd Libraries; book flower workshops using recycled books
and a Mend & Repair event promoting reuse and reducing waste in Swansea Libraries; and story and
craft sessions at Bridgend Libraries. More information about activities in public libraries in Wales can
be found on the Libraries Wales website.
These activities reflect the Library’s ongoing commitment to become a leading organisation on
environmental sustainability and to raise awareness of the role of libraries in responding to climate
and nature emergencies and tackling misinformation and disinformation.
Rhodri Llwyd Morgan, Chief Executive at the National Library of Wales said:
“We’re delighted to be celebrating Green Libraries Week by welcoming EV Rally Cymru to the Library
once again, as well as hosting a screening of the National Emergency Briefing amongst other
activities. The week is a fantastic opportunity to recognise the key role of libraries in ensuring that
people have access to trustworthy and accurate information about climate change.
It’s also an opportunity to highlight the work that we’ve been doing to deliver on our ambition to be
a leading organisation on environmental sustainability, from our award-winning retrofit programme
to the establishment of the Culture and Climate Cymru network, as well as the valuable work being
delivered by public libraries across Wales.”
As a leading organisation in environmental sustainability, with financial support from Welsh
Government, the National Library of Wales is working towards becoming carbon neutral by 2028
with the aim of completely eliminating gas use and reducing carbon emissions.
The Library has recently transformed its historic estate through an ambitious retrofit programme
that significantly reduces its carbon footprint while securing a more sustainable future. Measures
included the installation of innovative technologies such as air and ground heat pumps, 1,622 solar
panels, and the implementation of an intelligent building management system to improve energy
efficiency.
From providing access to reliable information and developing new skills, to bringing people together
to discuss local challenges and solutions, libraries are in a unique position to help communities
understand, adapt and take action for a more sustainable future. The National Library of Wales
encourages everyone to get involved in the activities and discover how small local steps can
contribute to wider positive change.