Cutting emissions across the district
To achieve the district-wide target of becoming carbon neutral by 2045, we will act on our statutory duties, show leadership, share information and work closely with partners across the Vale of White Horse.
Carbon emission baseline – we have completed a baseline review of energy consumption and carbon emissions. This has provided us with the data we need to determine the most effective actions we can take to reduce carbon emissions and meet our carbon neutral target.
Planning – The Local Plan recognises the importance of protecting and maintaining the characteristics of the natural environment and biodiversity. The Plan responds to the need to reduce carbon emissions by locating housing development close to jobs and services to reduce the need to travel by car, improving the energy efficiency of buildings, and supporting the use of low carbon and renewable energy. This is encompassed in the Plan’s strategic objective of protecting the environment and responding to climate change.
Partnership working – we are partners in several innovative energy projects across the county, including the Oxfordshire Energy Strategy. We are active members of the Oxfordshire County Wide Climate Change Collaboration Group made up of all district and county councils in Oxfordshire. We are also working with Oxfordshire County Council to build on our commitment to active travel and we are partnering with Oxfordshire councils on the Oxfordshire Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy and the Park & Charge project.
Supporting town and parish councils – town and parish councils have a large impact on their community. We will engage with local councils to understand their needs and how we can best support their climate emergency work.
Supporting local businesses – We are supporting businesses to take climate action and as members of Greentech, a network to help businesses to be low-carbon, our businesses can learn how to minimise their emissions. See more about what businesses can do to help, on our business support pages.
Food waste recycling – Our food waste collection service turns the food into energy to power 4,800 homes and creates nutrient-rich fertiliser.
Our wildflower meadows – to enhance biodiversity
We also have several designated areas in the Vale of White Horse that are our wildflower meadows where we only cut the grass three times during the year – at the beginning and end of the growing season in March and October, plus a cut and rake up in September once the wildflowers have set seed.
This helps to ensure that grass doesn’t dominate the area and gives wildflowers the chance to establish and grow. In some cases, we also plug plants or sow wildflower seeds to encourage a more diverse range of species.
If you click on following links you will be able to download the maps showing our wildflower areas for:
- Abingdon – Abbey Meadow
- Cumnor – Fogwell
- Faringdon – Folly Park
- Faringdon – Follyview
- Wantage – Mably Way
- Wantage – Memorial Park
Contact us - Climate and biodiversity team
Vale of White Horse District Council
Abbey House
Abbey Close
Abingdon
OX14 3JE
