In line with the UK’s Climate Change Act 2008, which mandates that net emissions be reduced by at least 100% of 1990 levels by 2050, West Oxfordshire District Council has officially adopted a new Climate Change Strategy. This strategic framework will guide the district’s journey towards net zero emissions by mid-century, while also boosting climate resilience and accelerating the recovery of natural ecosystems.
The district has already made meaningful strides in cutting carbon emissions, with initiatives ranging from energy advice services and targeted grant support for low-income households to sustainable planning and efforts to decarbonise buildings. The Council itself has reduced its operational emissions by curbing energy use. In parallel, measures to enhance the area’s climate resilience have been introduced, including nature-based solutions and planning for the effects of a changing climate.
These efforts have not gone unnoticed. West Oxfordshire was recently named the highest-performing rural district in the UK in the newly released 2025 national Council Climate Action Scorecards—an accolade that reflects the district’s collective drive to reduce carbon output and prepare for climate impacts. Collaboration, innovation, and shifts in behaviour remain central to this progress.
Running from 2025 to 2030, the newly approved strategy lays out a roadmap for reducing emissions across the district. It builds on the Council’s 2019 declaration of a climate and ecological emergency and aligns with goals set out in the Council Plan for 2023–2027.
“This strategy underlines our commitment to staying at the forefront of climate and ecological action,” said Councillor Andrew Prosser, Executive Member for Climate Action and Nature Recovery. “We’re not only focused on cutting emissions—we’re working to create a more resilient, nature-rich district where communities are better protected from climate-related risks like flooding, while also benefiting from cleaner air and improved access to green spaces.”
Councillor Prosser added, “Everyone in West Oxfordshire has a part to play. By working together, we can shape a greener, more sustainable future for our district.”
The strategy identifies the most impactful actions for reducing emissions, prioritising reductions before relying on credible offsetting methods. It is supported by the Council’s Carbon Action Plan 2024–2030 and the West Oxfordshire Nature Recovery Plan 2024–2030, which together lay out a coordinated approach to achieving net zero and restoring biodiversity.
Highlights of the strategy include:
- A defined path to achieving district-wide net zero emissions by 2050
- Annual progress tracking and transparent reporting
- Cross-sector partnerships to maximise the reach and effectiveness of actions
- Additional benefits such as better air and water quality, improved home energy efficiency, workforce skills development, and more accessible green spaces
The Council acknowledges that success depends on factors beyond its control, including national legislation, the availability of funding, and technological innovation. To help deliver the plan, a Climate Change Officer has been appointed, and efforts to secure external funding are ongoing.
While the potential reorganisation of local government could take place during the lifespan of the strategy, having a clear and long-term climate roadmap in place will allow any future council to continue building on the progress already made.
