Oxford City Council has been recognised as a leader in tackling the climate emergency at the national MJ Awards.
On Friday (23/6), the City Council beat local authorities across the country to win the ‘Leadership in Responding to the Climate Emergency’ award.
The MJ Awards is the biggest awards ceremony in the country for teams and individuals in local government.
Pursuing a zero-carbon Oxford is one of the City Council’s four corporate priorities, and the Council has been leading the way on climate action.
In 2019, Oxford was the first UK city to host a Citizens' Assembly on climate change and since then the City Council has implemented a range of innovative carbon-reducing projects, including:
- Working with Oxfordshire County Council to deliver the Zero Emission Zone Pilot
- Decarbonising several of the City Council’s leisure centres, including Hinksey Outdoor Pool
- Investing in renewable energy production
- Electrifying the City Council and ODS’ fleet of vehicles
- Developing electric vehicle charging points in the city, including opening Energy Superhub Oxford – Europe’s most powerful charging hub
The City Council has also brought together a partnership of Oxford’s businesses, organisations and community groups – known as the Zero Carbon Oxford Partnership – to achieve our target of net zero emissions in Oxford by 2040.
The City Council was shortlisted in a further two categories at the MJ Awards:
- ‘Best Council Services Team’ for our Home Improvement Agency team, which provides adaptations and repairs so that elderly, disabled and vulnerable residents can live safely and independently in their own home
- Alongside Oxfordshire County Council, ‘Best Transport Decarbonisation Project’ for our joint work on the Zero Emission Zone Pilot – the UK’s first zero-emission zone
Earlier this month the City Council also won the ‘Climate Response’ category at the annual LGC awards for the Energy Superhub Oxford.
“I am delighted that Oxford City Council has been given recognised for a second time for our leadership in tackling the climate emergency.
“However, the innovation and progress that we’ve been able to make in Oxford have only been possible thanks to a massive collaborative effort with the city’s institutions, businesses, community groups and residents.
“Addressing the climate emergency is the biggest challenge humanity faces. This award shows that we are making progress in our small corner of the globe, but there is more we can and must do.”
Councillor Anna Railton, Cabinet Member for Zero Carbon Oxford and Climate Justice
If you would like to find out how you can help us tackle the climate emergency, please visit the Climate Action Oxfordshire website.
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