A CONFERENCE about how towns and cities are taking on the problem of climate change will be held in Oxford next week.

The aim of the two-day event is to build stronger links between local councils in the UK and Europe which are working to create a low-carbon future for their residents.

Speakers include Laura Peacock on Oxford’s Zero Emission Zone, Barbara Hammond on Oxford’s Low Carbon Hub and Professor Nick Eyre from Oxford University’s Environmental Change Institute.

Other guests will be Polly Billington of UK:100 and Thomas Brose of Climate Alliance.

The free conference will take place on Thursday and Friday at the Town Hall, with all welcome to attend.

Following an introduction by Oxford Mayor Jean Fooks, there will be a discussion about climate change within the city.

This will be followed on Thursday afternoon by a look at the worldwide issue by leading academics from Oxford and Oxford Brookes University, chaired by Yvonne Constance, county council Cabinet member for the environment.

On Friday there will be a tour of the city's current low carbon projects followed by a discussion on how European countries can work together to tackle climate change.

For a full schedule of the conference, including guest speakers, visit the city council website. Registration will take place in the Town Hall's Long Room at 11am on Thursday.

Any questions can be emailed to councillor JohnTanner at john.tanner@tanox.demon.co.uk