Meet the parents with the aim of creating an eco-friendly future for their children

  • "We need to make sure we leave a better world for future generations."

From single-use nappies to driving to nursery, starting a family can increase a household's carbon footprint.

But having a child has also prompted some to think in more depth about the kind of planet they will be leaving behind for the next generation.

For one father from Carmarthenshire, the birth of his first child created a level of "anxiety and fear" around what the future would look like for the environment and climate.

Since then, Aled Vaughan Owen's family have made changes to their lifestyle - like installing solar panels and pledging never to fly on any holiday again.

Aled also runs educational workshops for children, ensuring the next generation are aware of what they can do to help reduce climate change.

Aled helps to educate the younger generation on what they can do to help the planet.

Aled's family home is kited out with eco-friendly appliances and they use solar panels to heat the home and run their car.

He explained: "Following the birth of my first child, I went through a stage of anxiety and fear of the kind of world we are going to leave for the next generation.

"I read a lot about the changing climate and I thought the best way to react to this...is to try and play my part to lead a more positive eco-friendly life."

Seventeen years ago, Aled and his family also made a commitment to never use an aeroplane to go on holiday again, because of the carbon emissions associated with flying.

"Sometimes it feels like we've sacrificed a lot and making memories with our family," he said.

"However I do think it's important, although we are told to live our best lives, our best life has to mean that we consider what's ahead of us and the lives of the next generation."

A parents' group in Barry have made changes in their daily lives to help reduce climate change.

That concern for how family life can impact the environment is also something a parents' group in Barry can relate to.

Many of them use cloth nappies instead of disposable ones and have cut down on single-use plastics.

One parent said their "biggest fear" is that their child will not be able to enjoy the natural world in the same way her generation has.

Another said starting a family has "opened [their] eyes to a lot of things and it does make you think about the future" as parents want the best for their children.

Using reusable, cloth nappies can help reduce waste.

For one of the group members, it is all about making little changes and small steps.

Working mum-of-two Abbie said: "You don't have to do it perfectly and go all in, you can just do little bits imperfectly because if everyone did that then it would start making a difference."