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Council climate action project shortlisted for national award
12/07/2021
County council plans to be carbon neutral by 2030
A string of initiatives aimed at tackling climate change have led to Oxfordshire County Council being shortlisted for a national award. The council’s climate action programme project is one of six finalists in the category “Leadership in Responding to the Climate Emergency” at the Municipal Journal (MJ) Awards 2021.
Bill Cotton, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director of Environment and Place, said: “We are delighted that this programme has been shortlisted for an MJ Award and it highlights how Oxfordshire County Council is leading the way when it comes to tackling climate change at a regional level.
“COVID-19 has changed our world and re-emphasised the need for climate action. The council is committed to enabling a zero carbon Oxfordshire and transforming our organisation to be carbon neutral by 2030.”
The council acknowledged the climate emergency in 2019 and published its Climate Action Framework in October 2020, setting out its commitments, which include playing a full role in enabling a zero carbon future for Oxfordshire, halving emissions by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2050.
The council’s iHub is one of the largest in-house local authority innovation teams in the UK. It has helped develop pioneering technology, business models and policy alongside its many partners countywide. The team have been involved in developing the Oxfordshire electric vehicle infrastructure strategy in partnership with the county’s district councils. Another project has involved using a mapping tool to identify opportunities for tree planting across the county.
The council is stepping up its action on corporate emissions through a series of measures. These include converting Oxfordshire’s streetlighting to LEDs, replacing its own cars and vans with electric vehicles and solar investment, including a grid application for a solar farm.
The Municipal Journal (MJ) Awards 2021 winner will be announced at a ceremony in London on Friday 17 September. Oxford City Council is among the other finalists.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam