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What you can do to help tackle climate change

Everyone can make a difference.

If you’re keen to do what you can to help, here are some things you can do to reduce your carbon emissions. The first thing you can do is calculate your ecological footprint. This is the sum of all the land and resources you consume and emissions and waste you create.  

Cutting carbon emissions from your home

  • Improve the energy efficiency of your home through retrofit projects, such as double glazing and insulation. The Energy Saving Trust has plenty of home energy advice and Cosy Homes Oxfordshire offers retrofit surveys, advice and installation.
  • Oxfordshire County Council also offers help improving energy efficiency through its Sustainable Warmth Grants page to find out if you are eligible for grant funding.
  • Free and impartial advice on energy bill discounts and grants and funding for energy saving home improvements is available from Better Housing Better Health or call 0800 107 0044.
  • Consider switching your electricity supply to a company providing renewable energy.
  • Other simple energy saving tips and useful contacts can be found in the ‘cost of living’ section of our website

Travel Options

  • Where possible, consider using public transport, walking or cycling.  Cycle routes across the district are being improved: for the latest updates, take a look here.
  • If you are buying a new vehicle consider going electric or if you don’t drive often, think about joining a car club.  E-bikes are also a great way to get around.
  • Use your local shops to save a car journey while supporting local businesses and helping to improve air quality.
  • For more travel option information, take a look here.

Eating sustainably

Get involved in tree planting

Reducing waste

  • Avoid single use items – avoid buying packaged goods or single-use items.  Try reusable shopping bags, food storage containers and coffee cups instead.
  • Buy better – invest in better quality products that last longer, have low-energy ratings and are sustainably sourced or manufactured.  Consider buying second-hand items.
  • Buy less – take a look at Share Oxford’s Library of Things for items to borrow when you need them.  Attempt repairs yourself or find a local repair café.
  • Use the county’s Waste Wizard’to find out if items can be repaired, reused or recycled, and see what goes in which bin in the district.

Saving water

  • Go to Waterwise for tips on how to save water at home.
  • Install a water butt in your garden and harvest rainwater for watering plants.

Getting involved locally

Contact us - Climate and biodiversity team

Vale of White Horse District Council
Abbey House
Abbey Close
Abingdon
OX14 3JE