Action on climate change and nature recovery

Protecting and enhancing our environment, building resilience and adapting to the effects of climate change, and leading the district to carbon neutrality.

Largely rural, our district is well-placed to be a safe haven for wildlife and nature. Protecting and enhancing our environment is key to preserving it for future generations. We are committed to taking action on climate change and supporting our residents and businesses to adapt to its impacts, restoring our natural world and fostering resilience within our communities.

We have already taken significant climate action, including in reducing carbon emissions. We have firm plans to build on these successes through the delivery of our joint Nature and Climate Action Plan 2025-2029 with South Oxfordshire District Council. However, despite our ongoing efforts, more needs to be done to mitigate the impacts of climate change and ecological degradation.

We are committed to working with our communities and partners on environmental initiatives and green infrastructure projects that enhance biodiversity, support interconnected wildlife habitats, and protect green spaces. Encouraging and supporting the adoption of sustainable practices across the district remains key to achieving our goals.

Where we are now:

Having declared a climate emergency in 2019, Vale of White Horse has made significant strides in taking action on the climate emergency and protecting and restoring our natural world. However, there is still more work to do.

Where we want to be:

By 2029, the council will have made significant progress towards achieving its ambitious target of becoming net zero in its operations by 2030. The district as a whole will also be on track to becoming net zero by 2045. Our natural habitats will help to provide safe havens for wildlife and enhance biodiversity, and we will have supported our communities to foster climate resilience and adapt to the impacts of climate change.