The Neighbourhoods, Environment and Climate Change Scrutiny Committee met on Tuesday 6 October 2026 to discuss Manchester's progress on climate action and its environmental strategies. The meeting focused on the city's efforts to meet its climate targets, the implementation of its Climate Change Action Plan, and progress on energy infrastructure projects.

Manchester Climate Ready

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on Manchester's progress towards its climate change targets as outlined in the Manchester Climate Ready (MCR) Plan 2025-30. This plan, developed by a network of cross-sector stakeholders, aims to set Manchester's climate change strategy and targets, champion action, track progress, and position the city as a leader in climate action. The report indicated that while collaborative action on climate change is evident, the pace and scale of efforts need to accelerate to achieve the significant socio-economic and environmental benefits of transitioning to a zero-carbon and climate-resilient city. The committee was to note and comment on the contents of the report.

MCC Climate Change Action Plan Annual Report (April 2025 to March 2026)

This report provided an overview of the progress made against the 63 actions within Manchester City Council's (MCC) Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) 2025-30, adopted in November 2025. The CCAP aims to support the Council's commitment to becoming a zero-carbon organisation by 2038 and to lead citywide climate action. The report detailed progress across three core themes: Place and Infrastructure, Green and Circular Economy, and People and Communities. It also assessed risks and challenges to delivery and highlighted the Council's communications and engagement approach on climate action, working in partnership with Manchester Climate Ready. The committee was to note and comment on the report's contents, the progress made in its first year, and the ongoing challenges.

Infrastructure and Environment Delivery Progress - Energy Programme

This report covered the Net Zero Accelerator (NZA) Programme, which concluded in March 2026, and ongoing work related to renewable energy generation and storage, heat networks, and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. The NZA programme aimed to strengthen the Council's understanding of where low-carbon infrastructure investment could have the greatest impact, develop a pipeline of potential projects, and identify lessons for future regeneration and infrastructure planning. The report detailed key findings, lessons learned, and proposed next steps for turning identified opportunities into future investment and delivery. The committee was to consider and comment on the report.

Overview Report

This report from the Governance and Scrutiny Support Unit provided details of key decisions relevant to the committee's remit, an update on actions resulting from previous committee recommendations, and the committee's work programme. It also included an extract from the Register of Key Decisions, detailing significant decisions due to be taken that fall within the committee's remit. The committee was to agree any necessary changes to its work programme.