Cardiff Council is a major employer in the South East Wales region and directly employs a workforce of around 11,320 people (April 2020). The Council provides a wide range of services including environmental, social, education and housing for a city population of around 366,903 (mid 2020) and consequently has a significant impact on the local environment, both positive and negative.
Cardiff Council acknowledges its role and responsibility for the protection and enhancement of the environment. Cardiff Council declared a Climate Emergency in March 2019, and is working towards becoming a carbon neutral organisation and city by 2030, as stated in the in the Council’s One Planet Cardiff Vision.
The Council has a role to lead by example and help deliver environmental improvements both within the organisation, as well as through partnership and collaborative working.
Cardiff Council is committed to:
- Continual improvement of its environmental performance to minimise adverse effects on the environment, following the sustainable development principles embedded in the Well-Being of Future Generations Act, and the Green Dragon environmental management system;
- Complying with all relevant environmental legislation and regulations,
- Actively encouraging responsible environmental practice by its suppliers, contractors and partners, and
- Becoming a carbon neutral organisation by 2030.
- Reduce waste and increase recycling rates,
- Minimise and make efficient use of water and energy, including using renewable and low carbon energy sources where appropriate,
- Reduce carbon emissions from fleet vehicles,
- Prioritise sustainable transport modes by encouraging the use of public transport, cycling and walking,
- Integrate sustainability and circular economy principles in procurement procedures,
- Promote the protection and enhancement of biodiversity and eco-system resilience;
In particular, Cardiff Council will:
- Manage activities to ensure that the risk of pollution is controlled, minimised, or eliminated;
- Set and work to achieve environmental objectives that:
- Review performance to ensure continuous environmental improvement; and
- Raise awareness of sustainable development issues, and particularly combating climate change, within the Council, partner agencies, and members of the public.
Paul Orders, Chief Executive
Cardiff Council