The Environmental Scrutiny Committee of Cardiff Council was scheduled to discuss the annual review of the One Planet Cardiff Strategy and the associated Green Growth Proposition. The committee was also set to scrutinise the draft Corporate Plan for 2026-2029 and the budgetary proposals for 2026/27.

One Planet Cardiff Annual Review 2025 and Green Growth Proposition

The committee was scheduled to undertake pre-decision scrutiny of the One Planet Cardiff Strategy's annual review for 2025 and the Green Growth Proposition. The One Planet Cardiff (OPC) Strategy, first published in 2021, aims for the Council to be carbon neutral by 2030 and to collaborate with stakeholders to achieve a carbon-neutral city by the same year. The report detailed progress made in reducing both operational and city-wide carbon emissions.

Between 2019/20 and 2024/25, the Council achieved a 16% reduction in direct operational emissions, falling from 51,148 tCO₂e to 42,747 tCO₂e, excluding procurement. However, progress slowed in the most recent year, with a 2% increase in operational emissions between 2023/24 and 2024/25. Building emissions had stabilised, with a 1% increase in 2024/25, likely influenced by a colder winter. Streetlighting emissions had fallen by 38% since the baseline, with further reductions dependent on grid decarbonisation. Fleet emissions rose by 9% year-on-year, driven by higher fuel use in Waste Management and Adult Services. Apparent waste emissions increases were largely methodological, linked to Welsh Government classification of certain recycled glass as landfill disposal.

City-wide emissions between 2019 and 2023 reduced to 1.55 million tonnes CO₂e, representing a 21.6% reduction in per capita emissions and a 14.7% reduction in absolute emissions across the city. From 2022 to 2023, emissions fell sharply, with per capita emissions down 11.1% and total emissions down 7%. Transport remained the largest emissions source, followed by domestic buildings and industry and commercial activity.

The Green Growth Proposition, developed to accelerate the city's transition to carbon neutrality by 2050, focuses on two areas: local renewable energy generation and domestic energy retrofit. The proposition highlights the need for significant transformation of the city's energy system and housing stock, with potential benefits including improved energy security, resilience, affordability, green jobs, and health outcomes. The report noted that while some activity can be delivered with existing resources, large-scale delivery will depend on overcoming grid capacity constraints, securing substantial long-term public funding, and leveraging new investment mechanisms.

The report also included a Single Impact Assessment for the Green Growth Proposition, covering Equality, Welsh Language, and Socio-economic Duty. The Equality Impact Assessment indicated positive impacts on most protected characteristics, particularly through improved home energy efficiency. The Welsh Language Impact Assessment suggested a neutral impact, with individual project assessments to be conducted as needed. The Socio-economic Duty assessment highlighted potential improvements for those experiencing disadvantage through reduced energy costs, job creation, and targeted support for fuel-poor households.

Draft Corporate Plan 2026-2029 and Draft Budgetary Proposals 2026/27

The committee was scheduled to carry out pre-decision scrutiny of the Draft Corporate Plan 2026-2029 and the Draft Budgetary Proposals 2026/27, prior to their consideration by Cabinet. This scrutiny was to cover:

• Corporate Overview: A general overview of the Corporate Plan and budget proposals.
• Climate Change and Strategic Planning and Transport: Scrutiny of the implications of the Corporate Plan budget proposals as they relate to the Planning, Transport and Environment directorate.
• Civil Parking Management & Enforcement, Highway Maintenance and Bereavement Services: Scrutiny of the implications of the Corporate Plan budget proposals as they relate to the Planning, Transport and Environment directorate.
• Waste Management and Recycling: Scrutiny of the implications of the Corporate Plan and budget proposals as they relate to the Economic Development directorate.

The committee was also scheduled to review the evidence and information gathered during the meeting to agree comments, observations, and concerns to be passed on to the relevant Cabinet Member by the Chair.