Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Place, Environment and Climate Action

Forward Plan Ref: 2025/180

Contact: Sarah Gilbert, Climate Action Team Leader

Sarah.gilbert@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report by Director of Economy and Place (CA11)

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to

(a)           Note the need for the purchase of carbon credits to offset the residual emissions in the Carbon Management Plan (CMP) to meet the council’s commitment to become carbon neutral by 2030.

(b)           Note the improved clarity of terminology and use of ‘carbon neutral’ to refer to the council’s 2030 target for estate and operations.

(c)           Adopt the policy outlined in Annex 1 to target high-integrity use of carbon credits that maximise local benefits.

(d)           Note the action plan outlined in Appendix 1 of Annex 1 to enable progress towards acquiring carbon credits and support growing the market for local carbon removal projects.

Recommendations approved.

Cabinet received a report on Oxfordshire County Council’s Carbon Management Plan (CMP), which focussed on residual carbon emissions and the strategy for offsetting to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. It outlined the need for carbon credit purchases, the rationale for terminology, and the approach to local market development and governance.

Councillor Judy Roberts, Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, presented the report.

Councillor Roberts moved and Councillor Higgins seconded the recommendations, and they were approved.

RESOLVED  to:-

(a)           Note the need for the purchase of carbon credits to offset the residual emissions in the Carbon Management Plan (CMP) to meet the council’s commitment to become carbon neutral by 2030.

(b)           Note the improved clarity of terminology and use of ‘carbon neutral’ to refer to the council’s 2030 target for estate and operations.

(c)           Adopt the policy outlined in Annex 1 to target high-integrity use of carbon credits that maximise local benefits.

(d)           Note the action plan outlined in Appendix 1 of Annex 1 to enable progress towards acquiring carbon credits and support growing the market for local carbon removal projects.