First of its kind: community-led action plan to reach net zero launched, with West Oxfordshire leading the way

CAPZero is the first of its kind in the UK: an energy action plan developed for a local area by the people who live there, with expert support. It details the actions needed for a local electricity area in West Oxfordshire to achieve a net zero energy system by 2050, in a way that is innovative, fair and community led.

Professor Nick Eyre, Professor of Energy and Climate Policy, and Senior Research Fellow in Energy, at the Environmental Change Institute, said, “This ‘Community Action Plan for Zero-Carbon Energy’ is a ground-breaking effort. With the exception of some remote islands, it’s the first attempt of which I am aware, to set out what a zero-carbon society might look like at a local level. More importantly it includes a plan of action for delivery. With this plan, the Eynsham area truly is leading the way”

The Plan was developed as part of Project LEO (Local Energy Oxfordshire), a large-scale energy innovation project aiming to accelerate the transition of the energy system to net zero. It takes the county-wide net zero targets and translates them into ambitious but realistic targets for a smaller geographic area.

Its geographic focus is the Eynsham Primary Substation Area (PSA) at Cuckoo Lane, which includes all or parts of 8 parishes: Cassington, Eynsham, Freeland, Farmoor in Cumnor, Hanborough, North Leigh, South Leigh, Stanton Harcourt & Sutton.

The group responsible for the report focused on the Primary Substation Area (PSA) because this is where we live and work and is where communities (residents, businesses, local authorities) can enact changes that will help us reach net zero.

Mim Saxl, Net Zero Communities Manager at the Low Carbon Hub, said, “Congratulations to everyone who has worked so hard to get this first ever community action plan for net zero published. I’m sure it will be the first of many as communities look to take a leading role in building a better energy system. We want this Plan to be a useful model for others to follow to speed up the much-needed move to a zero-carbon energy system.

“The UK has set a legally binding target to achieve a 78% carbon reduction by 2035, and net zero by 2050. Our whole energy system needs to change to reach that target.

We want to reach net zero and have a cleaner, greener energy system as soon as possible. To do this we need to halve energy usage and double our renewable energy generation. A zero-carbon energy system is possible if we act now, both locally, at a Primary Substation level, and nationally.”

“We’re really looking forward to taking the priority actions from the Plan forward and supporting homes, businesses and communities to transition to net zero in a positive way. We believe the transition to zero-carbon will build a stronger and healthier world.”

Nationally, the government has set targets to achieve net zero by 2050. In response to mounting evidence that we need to be more ambitious, the CAPZero includes interim targets for 2030.

The actions detailed in the report include: homes and businesses reducing energy use through installing energy efficiency measures (like insulation), switching to renewable energy sources such as rooftop solar and replacing gas boilers with heat pumps; building all new homes to zero-carbon standards; provision of electric bus services for all; ambitious agroforestry, tree and hedge planting and restoration of natural grassland and wetland.

The full report, which details specific targets and priority actions, is available to download from the Low Carbon Hub website. Residents can also visit the website to find out how they can get involved - https://www.lowcarbonhub.org/cap-zero/

To make the plan a reality, Low Carbon Hub is working with community groups, parish councils and local authorities to kickstart implementation of the work necessary to reach the CAPZero targets. The project has also received funding from West Oxfordshire District Council, in the form of a three-year Service Level Agreement worth £25,000 per year, to help make it happen.

Councillor Andrew Prosser, Executive Member for Climate Action and Nature Recovery, West Oxfordshire District Council said: “I’m pleased that the Council has made a commitment to help fund this groundbreaking project for a three-year period. CAPZero provides a clear roadmap for the Eynsham area to reach net zero. We will continue to work with GreenTEA and other partners to facilitate carbon reduction, alongside climate adaptation and nature recovery, across the district.”

Sarah Couch from GreenTEA said, “There is an enormous amount of detailed work behind this plan, so it gives the local community the confidence to take action in the knowledge that all their actions count in making the rapid move to net zero. It is excellent that after many years of preparatory work the project is supporting  meaningful practical action in our area.”

The Freeland Energy Group said,  “As it was for the dinosaurs, climate change is an existential threat to humanity. However, unlike dinosaurs we understand what is happening – it is a problem of our own making and unlike dinosaurs we can save ourselves.

“We do know how to generate the energy we need without burning oil, gas and coal, and the UK and other Governments have committed to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

“The Freeland Energy Group (supported by Freeland Parish Council*) are delighted to be part of Eynsham CAPZero to show how local action can contribute to this objective. It is a 26 year project but we must not delay.”