A comprehensive new report details exactly what needs to be done to achieve net zero in Oxford 10 years earlier than the Government’s national target.

The Zero Carbon Oxford roadmap gives specific targets for the sectors with the greatest climate impact - domestic, commercial, industry, institutional and transport.

Following the timelines it is predicted that by 2040, Oxford’s carbon emissions will be reduced by 88 per cent from 2018 levels. If any residual emissions remain in 2040, they would be offset to meet the net zero target.

The roadmap is broken down into five-yearly carbon budgets over the period 2018-2040.

A carbon budget is the amount of carbon dioxide emissions permitted to keep within a certain temperature threshold and to reduce the impact of global warming by 1.5 degrees Celsius.

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The Zero Carbon Oxford Partnership, a group of leaders from 21 major businesses and organisations across the city, has also approved an action plan of the immediate actions required before 2030 to stay on track.

These will be overseen by ‘Sprint Groups’ with a remit to move quickly.

Among other things, their focus will be on working with city council planners on the next Local Plan, developing suitable methods for retrofitting buildings and sharing knowledge about decarbonisation so that the city can unlock innovation.

They will also conduct a feasibility study into creating a mini hydrogen network in Oxford, set up a bulk-buying scheme for low carbon equipment such as solar panels and heat pumps to enable businesses and households to buy equipment cheaply and quickly, work on electric vehicle charging infrastructure and strategy and liaise with bus operators to identify 'pinch points' disrupting services.

Other tasks include developing a detailed inventory of building stock in Oxford, decreasing the use of vehicles through cycling, walking, working from home and car sharing and piloting a number of freight consolidation centres around the edge of the city.

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The Zero Carbon Oxford Partnership will create a joint strategy for lobbying for powers and securing investment into the green economy.

Councillor Tom Hayes, chair of the Zero Carbon Oxford Partnership steering group, said: “The complexity of specifying what is scientifically necessary has been huge, but that piece of work will be infinitesimal in comparison to the complexity of implementing the plan.

“For example, the roadmap shows we should seek to implement rooftop solar for 40 per cent of new homes and 20 per cent of existing homes, plus heat pumps must be installed in 27 per cent of all homes – all by 2025 if we are to stay on course.

“We’re transforming our whole way of life. What’s good for the environment will be great for high-skilled jobs in the places where we live, but such change will involve constant citywide conversations, and they will be as challenging and necessary as any we’ve ever had.”

The roadmap was commissioned by Oxford City Council on behalf of the Zero Carbon Oxford Partnership and developed with the Carbon Trust.

The full report is available on the city council website.