Our Community Action Plan for Zero-Carbon Energy is the first of its kind in the UK.

It models how a cluster of communities in West Oxfordshire can create a zero-carbon energy system in their local area, in a way that works for them. It is a plan developed by community representatives together with experts, and it has now entered an exciting implementation phase.  Everyone is needed: residents and businesses can lead the way, by taking action now.

The vision

Our project mission is to achieve a zero-carbon energy system in the Eynsham (Cuckoo Lane) Primary Substation Area before 2050 through long-term stewardship in a way that benefits and motivates current and future residents and provides a model to inspire wider action.

Background

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.  

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.

Mim Saxl, Net Zero Communities Manager, Low Carbon Hub 

Our partners

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.  

Members of the community are encouraged to get involved – to find out how visit our CAPZero pages. 

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.

Councillor Andrew Prosser, Executive Member for Climate Action and Nature Recovery, West Oxfordshire District Council