Pathways to a zero carbon Oxfordshire

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Oxfordshire councils, OxLEP, Oxford Brookes University, SSEN, Low Carbon Hub, Greater South-East Energy Hub and Oxford Sciences Innovation

ECI leads: Nick Eyre and Sam Hampton

On behalf of a consortium of local stakeholders, we investigated how Oxfordshire can eradicate carbon emissions from its economy. Our analysis shows that there are different routes to net-zero, and our report outlines three distinct pathways to eradicating emissions from the economy.

Our work

Tackling climate change has become an urgent priority for governments, businesses and citizens around the world. In response to UK Parliament’s 2050 net-zero commitment, local authorities have been scaling up their ambitions to tackle climate change. In Oxfordshire, all six local authorities have acknowledged and responded to the climate emergency, and are developing plans to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 or sooner.

Produced in collaboration with Bioregional and colleagues from the Transport Studies Unit and Engineering Department, the Pathways to a Zero Carbon Oxfordshire report reviews recent progress on climate goals. It highlights successes in decarbonising electricity and reducing energy demand over the last decade – a period which has seen rapid economic and population growth in the county. It also showcases the considerable sustainability expertise that exists in Oxfordshire, underpinned by a thriving world-class innovation ecosystem.

This report addresses how Oxfordshire can sustain the momentum of the last decade to achieve net-zero emissions. There remains significant work to do to decarbonise transport, reduce reliance on fossil fuels for heating, and protect and enhance carbon stored in the natural environment. Maintaining the same rate of emissions reduction in Oxfordshire will require local investment, in building retrofit, cleaner heating systems and electric vehicles; and cultural and behavioural changes such as active travel, dietary changes and reduced energy demand.

Publications

Pathways to a Zero Carbon Oxfordshire: report

Sam Hampton, Lewis Knight, Hannah Scott, Hannah Budnitz, Gavin Killip, Scot Wheeler, Alison Smith and Nick Eyre

Energy
June 2021

Oxfordshire has made good progress on achieving its climate goals, with success in decarbonising electricity and reducing energy demand over the last. This report addresses how Oxfordshire can sustain the momentum of the last decade to achieve net-zero emissions. There remains significant work to do to decarbonise transport, reduce reliance on fossil fuels for heating, and protect and enhance carbon stored in the natural environment.

Pathways to a Zero Carbon Oxfordshire: summary

Sam Hampton, Lewis Knight, Hannah Scott, Hannah Budnitz, Gavin Killip, Scot Wheeler, Alison Smith and Nick Eyre

Energy
June 2021

An overview of the report on Oxfordshire can sustain the momentum of the last decade to achieve net-zero emissions. Decarbonising transport, reducing reliance on fossil fuels for heating, and protecting and enhancing carbon stored in the natural environment are priorities for the next two decades.

Partners

Bioregional

Funded by:

  • OxLEP
  • Oxfordshire County Council
  • Cherwell District Council
  • West Oxfordshire District Council
  • Oxford City Council
  • South Oxfordshire District Council
  • Vale of White Horse District Council
  • Oxford Brookes University
  • Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks
  • Low Carbon Hub
  • Greater South-East Energy Hub 
  • Oxford Sciences Innovation