South Oxfordshire Council completes first year of climate action plan

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 06:01 · Archive

South Oxfordshire has completed its first year of a joint Nature and Climate Action Plan with Vale of White Horse District Council.

South Oxfordshire District Council has completed the first year of its joint Nature and Climate Action Plan, developed with Vale of White Horse District Council. The plan focuses on reducing carbon emissions, restoring natural habitats and helping communities prepare for climate change.

A key achievement has been in nature recovery. The council now manages 35.8 hectares of publicly accessible green space for wildlife, representing 44 per cent of council-owned land and surpassing the UK Government's goal of 30 per cent by 2030. Biodiversity audits have been completed on 63 hectares of council land to guide future habitat improvement and restoration projects.

Staff training has been a major focus, with 457 council officers—more than 70 per cent of the workforce—completing a new climate e-learning programme. An accredited carbon literacy training course is set to launch in 2026/27 to deepen climate understanding across the organisation.

Anne-Marie Simpson, cabinet member for planning policy and climate action, said the council is 'proud of the progress' made through investment in renewable energy, nature recovery and community engagement, describing the projects as 'helping to create a healthier, greener and more resilient South Oxfordshire for future generations'.

How it is being reported

• Council hails progress in fight against climate change and nature lossSouth Oxfordshire has completed the first year of its joint Nature and Climate Action Plan, developed in partnership with Vale of White Horse District Council.Oxford Mail · 19 Oct, 05:00
• Council hails progress in fight against climate change and nature lossSouth Oxfordshire has completed the first year of its joint Nature and Climate Action Plan, developed in partnership with Vale of White Horse District Council.Oxfordshire Guardian · 19 Oct, 05:00

In this story: South Oxfordshire District Council · Vale of White Horse District Council · Anne-Marie Simpson · South Oxfordshire

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem