Councillor Laura Gordon, Cabinet Member for Environment and Economy, approved the publication of the 2026 annual update to the Carbon Management Plan and the 2024/25 Greenhouse Gas Report. The meeting also approved the minutes of the previous meeting held on 19 June.

Carbon Management Plan and Greenhouse Gas Report

The meeting approved the publication of the 2026 updated Carbon Management Plan (CMP) and the 2024/25 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) report. The CMP outlines Oxfordshire County Council's (OCC) strategy to reduce emissions from its estate and operations to achieve its commitment of being carbon neutral by 2030. The updated plan includes a revised emissions trajectory, projecting residual emissions of approximately 3,910 tCO2e in 2029/30. This revised trajectory reflects known emissions data, updated government emission conversion factors, completed projects, and delays in planned initiatives.

Key actions highlighted for the next 24 months include the ongoing delivery of the property decarbonisation programme, with 33 properties currently in progress, and the completion of energy audits for the entire estate. The council has also seen progress in fleet electrification, with 14 new electric vehicles added, bringing the total to 81, representing 18% of the fleet. The annual conversion of traffic signal sites to LED lighting will continue, alongside efforts to reduce emissions from staff business travel.

Challenges identified include a lack of funding for future property decarbonisation works, stemming from the withdrawal of central government grant funding, and delays in the transition of diesel fleet vehicles to electric. The uncertainty surrounding Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) also impacts future estate planning.

The 2024/25 GHG report indicates that emissions from OCC's estate and operations reduced by 201 tCO2e compared to the previous year, achieving 84% of the targeted reduction. While property emissions saw a slight decrease, street lighting emissions reduced by 9% due to the LED upgrade programme. However, fleet travel emissions saw a marginal increase, and staff mileage emissions rose by 5%, attributed to increased travel post-pandemic. Emissions from maintained schools increased by 4% due to higher gas demand. For the first time, the report includes an estimation of supply chain emissions, which are estimated to have decreased by 10% from the previous year.

The council's Climate Action Programme supports its commitments to a Greener, Fairer and Healthier Oxfordshire and tackling the climate emergency. The CMP directly supports the goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. While there are no direct financial implications from approving the reports, a significant funding gap of approximately £24.5 million exists for the remaining property decarbonisation works.

The meeting also approved the minutes of the previous meeting held on 19 June 2026.