The Net Zero, Environment and Transport Committee of Aberdeen City Council met on Tuesday 18 November 2025, discussing a range of environmental and transport initiatives. Key decisions included the adoption of the Aberdeen City Council Travel Plan for 2025, approval of investment priorities for the Core Paths Programme from 2026 to 2028, and noting the outcomes of the Aberdeen to Laurencekirk Multimodal Corridor Study.

Aberdeen City Council Travel Plan (2025)

The Committee approved the adoption of the draft Aberdeen City Council Travel Plan for 2025. This plan aims to reduce emissions from staff travel, encourage sustainable transport options, and improve staff health and wellbeing. The plan will be monitored, with progress reports to be provided to the Committee every two years. Following this approval, the Chief Officer Strategic Place Planning and Chief Officer People and Citizen Services will update the Staff Travel Policy and report a draft to the Staff Governance Committee within the next 12 months.

Core Paths Programme: Investment Priorities 2026/27 - 2028/29

The Committee approved the Core Paths Programme: Investment Priorities for 2026/27 to 2028/29. This programme identifies 21 core paths for investment, prioritised based on factors such as their location within Community Planning Aberdeen Priority Neighbourhoods, scores from the Aberdeen Open Space Audit, availability of Developer Obligation funds, and officer input on project priority. The Chief Officer Strategic Place Planning will report back to the Committee in June 2026 with a fully scoped and costed set of improvement projects.

Aberdeen to Laurencekirk Multimodal Corridor Study

The Committee noted the outcomes of the Nestrans Aberdeen to Laurencekirk Multimodal Corridor Study Detailed Options Appraisal. The study identified positive elements including improved walking and cycling connections between Wellington Road and Marywell, the provision of a Mobility Hub north of Portlethen, bus priority measures, and the potential for new railway stations at Newtonhill and Cove. The Committee endorsed the Nestrans Board's approval to progress the local rail station elements to a Strategic Business Case. Aberdeen City Council teams will collaborate with Nestrans on this business case, with outcomes to be reported back to the Committee by the end of 2026.

Air Quality Progress

The Committee noted the findings of the 2025 Air Quality Progress Report (APR) for Aberdeen City Council. The report indicated that air quality continues to improve across the city, with monitored levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) remaining below the set objectives. Consequently, the Anderson Drive and Wellington Road Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) were revoked on 1 February 2025. The City Centre AQMA was amended to remove the PM10 objectives due to continued compliance, though it remains valid for the NO2 annual mean objective. The Committee agreed that subsequent Air Quality Annual Progress Reports would be provided through Service Updates.

Updates on Council Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Schemes

The Committee received an update on the progress of various EV charging projects. This included the ongoing procurement of a private sector partner for the North of Scotland EV Partnership, which will manage and grow public charging networks. The Committee agreed to instruct the Chief Officer Strategic Place Planning to continue engaging with the preferred supplier to explore a feasible on-street residential EV charging trial, to be time-limited and geographically restricted. Furthermore, the Committee agreed to instruct the Chief Officer Strategic Place Planning to work with other relevant officers to increase the size of the Council's EV charging estate for its own fleet vehicles.

£1 Off-Street Evening Parking Fees

The Committee noted the analysis of the £1 off-street evening parking scheme, which ran from May to October 2024. The scheme was found to be successful in attracting additional patronage to Aberdeen City Council's off-street car parks after 5pm, with a 754 transaction increase (3.5%) compared to the previous year. However, parking income after 5pm decreased from £66,496.80 in 2023 to £49,557.60 in 2024. The Committee welcomed the decision by the Finance and Resources Committee on 5th November 2025 to authorise a further £1 off-street parking scheme between 5th January and 28th February 2026.

Various Small-Scale Traffic Management and Development Associated Proposals

The Committee addressed several proposed Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs). Decisions were made on various waiting restrictions across the city. Notably, consideration of THE ABERDEEN CITY COUNCIL (Roads surrounding the Event Complex Aberdeen (TECA), Dyce, Aberdeen) (Traffic Management) Order 2023 was deferred. Amendments were made to the proposed waiting restrictions on Kingswood Drive, Corndavon Terrace, and Derry Avenue/Place. Orders for Ferrier Crescent, Sandilands Drive, Cromwell Gardens, Bright Street, and Kerloch Place were approved to be made as originally advertised, with modifications in some cases, such as the removal of Corndavon Terrace from the Pavement Parking Exemption No.2 Order.

Council Climate and Nature Reporting 2024/25

The Committee approved the Council Climate and Nature Summary 2024/25 and the statutory Climate Change Duties Report 2024/25. These reports detail the Council's activities and progress in addressing climate change and nature loss. The Chief Officer Strategic Place Planning was instructed to submit the Climate Change Duties Report to the Scottish Government and to publish both reports on the Council's website. Annual reporting on Climate and Nature will continue to be provided to the Committee.

Net Zero, Environment and Transport Performance Report

The Committee noted the Net Zero, Environment and Transport Performance Report. It was agreed that officers would check figures presented regarding waste diverted to landfill during periods when the energy from waste system was not operational and circulate this information. Additionally, the Chief Officer – Operations was instructed to provide a Service Update in March 2026 on recent road closures due to SSEN works, including reasons for extended closure periods and any additional financial charges incurred.

Strategic Car Parking Review

The Committee noted the outcomes of the updated Strategic Car Parking Review. The findings and recommendations will be considered in the development of the refreshed Local Transport Strategy and the Aberdeen Rapid Transit Outline Business Case.

Committee Business Planner

The Committee agreed to move the item on Building Performance Criteria - Energy Efficiency to a 'to be confirmed' status, instructing the Chief Officer – Corporate Landlord to submit a report following the completion of the review of the Building Performance Policy. Item 42, the Annual Report – Northern Roads Collaboration Joint Committee, was removed from the planner due to the committee not currently meeting and the inability of involved local authorities to support its reconvening at this time. The remainder of the business planner was noted.

Updates on Council Electric Vehicle (EV) charging schemes

The Committee noted the progress made on delivering EV charging infrastructure. It was agreed to instruct the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning to continue engaging with the Council's preferred supplier to explore the feasibility of an on-street residential EV charging trial. If deemed possible, a time-limited pilot agreement will be entered into, with lessons learned to be reported back. The Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning will also continue to work with other relevant officers to increase the size of the Council's EV charging estate for its own fleet vehicles.

Declarations of Interest and Transparency Statements

Declarations of interest were noted and recorded in the minutes.

Minute of Previous Meeting

The minute of the previous meeting held on 9 September 2025 was approved as a correct record.

Members are requested to determine that any exempt business be considered with the press and public excluded

Item 10.1, Updates on Council Electric Vehicle (EV) charging schemes - Exempt Appendix, was determined to be considered with the press and public excluded.