Oxfordshire County Council and the climate

Oxfordshire accounted for 4.1 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e) in 2022. This is 5.5 tCO2e per person, above the national average of 5.1 tCO2e per person.

The County Council has set a target to reduce Oxfordshire’s greenhouse gas emissions to 50% of 2008 levels by 2030 and to zero by 2050. So far they are on target.

Reductions to date have mostly been achieved by a national shift away from coal fired power stations, first to gas and then to renewable energy, which now generates over 40% of the UK’s electricity. There have also been improvements in the performance of buildings. 

Looking forward to 2050, the further 50% reduction to Net Zero between 2030 and 2050 is likely to prove more difficult. The Government is aiming for 95% clean electricity by 2030, but achieving Net Zero in Oxfordshire depends largely on switching from direct use of fossil fuels to electricity. This is a major challenge, requiring a phase out of petrol and diesel cars and household gas and oil boilers.

What are the sources of greenhouse gas emissions?

The biggest contributor to climate change in Oxfordshire is transport, at 38% of the total. After agriculture, this is the sector that also has seen the least reduction.

The waste management sector, on the other hand, has seen reductions of over 70% as landfill is phased out, and is now only 3% of Oxfordshire’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Reducing emissions from domestic, commercial and public sector buildings is also a lead priority. This requires a switch from gas boilers to air source heat pumps, the retrofitting of older properties, and the building of new ones to a high environmental standard.

The County Council’s priorities

The County Council has three main climate priorities:

  • Reaching net-zero or beyond for its own operations by 2030 

The Council has direct influence over transport and electric vehicle charging, waste management and its own land and property. It is also working in partnership with others on:

  • Producing Local Area Energy Plans with local communities and businesses that identify the most cost-effective ways to achieve net zero in a local area, largely through improving energy efficiency, switching away from fossil fuels and generating renewable energy.

  • Leading on a Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Oxfordshire together with landowners, conservation groups and other stakeholders, helping to implement that strategy, and producing a biodiversity action plan.

  • Providing management support or funding in areas such as tree planting and retrofitting homes.

  • Supporting innovation such as in energy management, energy storage and vehicle charging.

  • Working together with the City and District Councils, leading employers, and transport and energy companies across the county through the Zero Carbon Oxfordshire Partnership.  

  • Running the website Climate Action Oxfordshire that suggests steps that individuals, communities and organisations can take to help tackle climate change.

The Council has also made a commitment to considering Future Generations in its decision-making.

An accessible summary of the Council’s Climate Action plan and activities can be found here

Where can the County Council have most impact?

The biggest impact on climate change that the County Council can have is on emissions from road transport, as they have direct responsibility for all roads apart from motorways. Transport is also the biggest source of emissions at 38% of the total.

For example, the council has a target to reduce all private car trips by 25% by 2030 and to create a net zero transport network by 2040. In practice, this means prioritising support for cycling, walking and public transport, reducing car use, and electrification of motorised transport. This would result in a 1.6 million tonnes reduction in CO2e or 38% of Oxfordshire’s total emissions. This compares to the Council’s emissions from their own operations, which amount to only 0.28% of Oxfordshire’s total or 12,000 tonnes CO2e. 

Even so, the council has a key role to play in setting an example that others can follow by reducing its own emissions.

In 2021-22, the Council’s own emissions came from street lighting (46%), property heating and electricity in particular its 110 maintained schools (33%) and vehicles and staff travel (21%).

Street lights are now all LEDs, and discussions are underway about switching street lights off late at night, although this has met with some resistance.

CASE STUDY

Energy efficiency and heating in buildings 

29% of Oxfordshire’s emissions
33% of the Council’s own emissions

Energy use in domestic, commerical and public buildings generate 29% of Oxfordshire’s emissions. Council buildings (including maintained schools) are responsible for 33% of the Council’s own emissions.

£30 million of capital investment has been agreed and a further £20 million proposed to support the decarbonisation of the council’s own vehicle fleet and property.  This aims to reduce the Council’s emissions from property from 3,500 tonnes CO2e in 2019 to 1,000 by 2030. Action to reduce emissions in Council buildings tends to reduce costs, as well as set a leadership example to the wider community.

 The County Council is also working in partnership with others on:

  • Piloting the roll-out of air source heat pumps. Clean Heat Streets has installed 20 heat pumps in Rose Hill and Iffley in east Oxford. A second pilot is planned for the Greenwood and Highfield area in North Bicester.

  • Securing £6 million for tackling fuel poverty by upgrading the worst performing off-gas grid domestic properties.

  • The Local Energy Oxfordshire-Neighbourhood project, which will introduce low carbon technology and energy efficiency measures to homes and will allow neighbourhoods and communities to trade and share energy. The project is currently seeking funding.

  • Launching the Energy saver app in July 2024. This now has 1,000 downloads.