The Environmental Sustainability Lead has submitted the Net Zero Masterplan 2023-25 which sets out Oxford City Council’s actions over the next two years to achieve its two carbon targets: a Net Zero Estate and Operations by 2030 and a Net Zero City by 2040.

The Panel is asked to consider the Net Zero Masterplan and agree any recommendations.

The Panel received a public address on this item from Dan Glazebrook, who addressed the Panel on the importance of calculating, evaluating and minimising embodied carbon in the construction of developments, and not only carbon output from completed developments; and protecting existing biodiversity and the failure of carbon offsetting schemes. The Chair thanked Dan Glazebrook for attending to address the Panel.

Dan Glazebrook left the meeting and did not return.

Mish Tullar, Head of Corporate Strategy introduced the Net Zero Masterplan, which set out Oxford City Council’s actions over the next two years to achieve its two carbon targets: a Net Zero Estate and Operations by 2030 and a Net Zero City by 2040. He outlined a number of key changes since the previous iteration of the document, including that the Council was intending to bring forward a report in early 2025 providing an assessment of the Council’s progress towards achieving its 2030 net zero targets.

In response to questions, the Panel was advised that:

·       Reducing embodied carbon was a commitment set out in the Local Plan 2040, which was currently at the examination stage. Once adopted, the measurement and reporting of embodied carbon would be an integral part of developments.

·       Building suitability for retrofit measures differed from judgements as to whether buildings remained fit for purpose in terms of their general use.

·       The Council’s Planning Policy Team consistently sought out best practice from other local authorities, including methodologies to assess whether buildings should be retrofitted or rebuilt.

·       The delivery of action 1 within the document had been impacted by a lack of data and systems to capture information; it was clarified that the issue was around not having all of the data, rather than not having the ability to obtain the data.

·       The Head of Corporate Strategy would seek an update from the relevant Licensing Team in relation to progress on delivering against action 21 in the document and report back to the Panel.

·       Carbon literacy training would not be delivered to all staff, it would only be delivered to staff in relevant roles and senior managers (which was approximately 200 staff). There were discussions ongoing in relation to offering the training to Members. The Panel requested that this information be summarised in the Net Zero Masterplan (action 3) going forward to provide a more comprehensive update, alongside a clarification that the training would not be delivered to all staff.

·       Action 1 in the document had ‘low priority’ status as the Council did not yet have all the information required to produce overall costings; it was anticipated that the report previously referenced (to be brought forward in early 2025) would help to progress this action.

·       Action 4 in the document was being progressed; all baseline assessments for individual plots of land had been done.

The Panel requested that:

·       The Head of Corporate Strategy seek an update from the relevant Licensing Team in relation to progress on delivering against action 21 in the document and report back to the Panel.

·       A more comprehensive summary be included next to action 3 (related to carbon literacy training) in the Net Zero Masterplan going forward, alongside a clarification that the training will not be delivered to all staff.

·       The date format under ‘due date’ for action 4 in the document be revised, as it was currently incorrect (stating ‘6/25/2025’).

The Panel noted the Net Zero Masterplan; there were no recommendations.