Cardiff Third Sector Council’s Climate Matters to All project, funded by Natural Resources Wales (NRW), was delivered between February and March 2026 in partnership with five grassroots organisations across Cardiff. It was designed to gather insight from people whose voices are often missing from statutory consultation, including those facing barriers linked to language, poverty, disability, age, digital exclusion, and wider marginalisation.
Through community-based conversations, the project explored how climate issues are affecting people in their daily lives, with discussion focusing on housing, transport, heating, flooding, air quality, and wellbeing. Working through trusted local organisations meant sessions could be shaped around different communities’ needs and experiences, helping participants relate climate issues to practical concerns such as fuel costs, housing conditions, public transport, and safety. The project exceeded its original targets, engaging 72 participants across six sessions and generating valuable community evidence to support fairer climate policy.
NRW responded very positively to the final report, describing it as “powerful” and “a great example of community engagement”. It recognised the strength of the insight gathered and has submitted the project as an example for the Cardiff Public Services Board’s 2025/26 annual report. NRW has also expressed an interest in using the findings to help influence its future work, while acknowledging the gaps identified by participants.
The next phase will focus on turning this evidence into action. C3SC is due to present the findings to the Climate Emergency Board in June, sharing key messages from seldom-heard communities with decision-makers. C3SC and NRW have also agreed to continue working together on a longer-term climate impact programme to help shape policy, strengthen community involvement and develop a funding bid to expand the work.
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