The politician who signed the UK’s commitment to Net Zero into law in 2019 visited senior figures at Oxfordshire County Council to talk about how to take the county’s climate programme to the next level.

Former Energy and Clean Growth Minister Chris Skidmore, who resigned as a Conservative MP in February over his government’s approval of new fossil fuel extraction, attended a round table event in Oxford on Tuesday (May 21).

He remains an influential figure, heading the Independent Review of Net Zero, and is a founder of Mission Zero.

He said: “Ever since I took forward the Net Zero Review, I’ve committed to going around the country and meeting with local leaders to discuss the opportunities as well as the challenges of delivering on reducing our emissions, as well as the chance to deliver the energy transition.

“Oxfordshire was always a key local authority that I visited on several occasions during the net zero review process.

"I’m delighted to return to have an update on progress, to listen to representatives, both councillors and executive officers, on some of the frameworks that they’re taking forward that I think could be genuinely national examples of best practice.”

The event was organised by Pete Sudbury, deputy leader of Oxfordshire County Council with Responsibility for Climate Change, Environment and Future Generations.

Dr Sudbury said: “It was a real privilege to be able to talk to Chris about what we are doing in Oxfordshire and hear his thoughts and advice.

"We are choosing to lead on climate action, because climate instability is an emerging existential threat to our health, wealth and wellbeing and we want to be part of the solution.

“Chris is an eminent, principled thought leader in that, with his extraordinary Mission Zero report and understanding of how the UK can lead the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

“As a former government energy minister, his experience is invaluable in helping us navigate the challenges we face working with government as we try to achieve our ambitions in this area.

"He has really useful advice on what should we ask for, expect, or hope for from central government and the private market, and what are they, and others, looking for from us.”

The meeting explored calls to ‘supercharge’ local authorities’ role in climate action through giving them a clearer role and longer term, devolved funding.

Sarah Gilbert, Oxfordshire County Council’s Head of Climate Change, said: “Pioneering work by a number of local authorities, including in Oxfordshire for our work on Project LEO (Local Energy Oxfordshire), has contributed to evidence that net zero delivered locally can produce four times the benefits for half the cost.

“We would like to work with industry bodies and government to see a ‘supercharged’ role for councils as ‘lead local climate authorities’ in the future.”

The meeting also discussed the recent report by Oxfordshire’s Director of Public Health, Ansaf Azhar, which highlighted the impact of climate change on people’s health.

And Oxfordshire’s pioneering green finance summit 100 Together, organised by the county council and held in January, was high on the agenda too.

Oxfordshire County Council’s Chief Executive Martin Reeves discussed how to build on the momentum for creating a coalition needed to finance Oxfordshire's green future.

Mr Skidmore added: “Now that I’m cross-party and an independent, I’m keen to take this forward to whoever forms the next government to ensure that the work that Oxfordshire has taken forward can be replicated in other regions.

"It’s something I’m personally keen to make sure can happen.”