Agenda item

To consider a report to the Future Oxfordshire Partnership from City Science on the Oxfordshire Net Zero Route Map and Action Plan.

The Panel considered a report to the Future Oxfordshire Partnership setting out a Net Zero Route Map and Joint Action Plan for achieving the emission reductions required by 2050. This work had been initiated in response to the Partnership’s request that officers develop a route map and identify areas for joint working following its receipt of the Pathways to a Zero Carbon Oxfordshire (PAZCO) report in 2021.

Sarah Gilbert, Head of Climate Action, Oxfordshire County Council; Suzanne Malcolm, Deputy Chief Executive – Place, South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils; and Laurence Oakes-Ash (on behalf of City Science, the authors of the route map and action plan) presented the report and answered member’s questions.

In discussion, the Panel commented that they were very pleased to be considering the Net Zero Route Map and Joint Action Plan. They felt that it represented a significant step forward in delivering a zero carbon Oxfordshire and expressed their appreciation for the considerable amount of complex work undertaken by officers and City Science in the development of this important document. Nevertheless, there were several areas where the Panel felt that that the Route Map and Joint Action Plan could be strengthened further. They also suggested that there was a requirement for clarifications to be made to sections within City Science’s report. Specific points were raised in relation to the following:

·           The alignment of the transport Net Zero Route Map to the latest Oxfordshire Local Transport and Connectivity Plan (LTCP).

·           The need for a workstream to investigate the evidence of effective mechanisms to reduce car use. This would include decisions on capital infrastructure, road building and traffic demand management policies.

·           The accuracy of the data and statements in para 3.3.2 of the Net Zero Route Map and Action Plan relating to trip reduction targets and align with the LTCP.

·           The inclusion of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) relating to cycleway delivery.

·           That there was insufficient reference made to certain aspects of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure e.g., EV bikes and EV car sharing clubs.

·           That the reporting frequency of the delivery of the Route Map should be increased from six monthly to quarterly.

·           The opportunities for re-examining the potential of onshore wind power for electricity generation.

·           Encouraging the provision of solar panels on the roofs of properties (including through the Local Plan process).

·           That motor bike journeys tended to be shorter and generate less emissions than those undertaken by car. They should, therefore, be classified separately.

·           That freight should be moved to rail.

·           Rail improvement schemes should be based on electrification.

·           That any campaign linked to reducing emissions from school transport should have a wider focus on potential alternatives than simply school buses.

·           There was a need to apply the use of Climate Change Impact Assessments across a wider range of local authority policy and decision making.

·           Emissions from Scope Three sources should be considered prior to 2023.

·           Education and training would be required in order to achieve the route maps requirements around retrofitting.

·           Endorsing green finance was welcome.

RESOLVED: The Panel recommended to the Future Oxfordshire Partnership that:

1.     The report and Net Zero Route Map and Action Plan be noted.

2.     The proposed joint actions and recommended prioritisations as set out in the report be endorsed to form a programme of work reporting to the Partnership subject to:

a.     The addition of a workstream to examine and establish the evidence base for additional measures to reduce private car use. This should include development of an approach to making decisions on capital infrastructure, road building and traffic demand management policies that in addition to the encouragement of behavioural change include potential fiscal measures. (It is suggested that The Future of Road Investment in Wales report commissioned by the Welsh Government advising it on current road projects and how to consider future projects could provide a possible example for elements of this).

b.     Increased consideration and inclusion of Scope Three emissions within the route map and action plan to ensure indirect emissions are managed. Given the urgent nature of the climate emergency and need to consider all possible ways to the reduce carbon emissions.

c.      Re-examination of the potential contributions of wind and hydro forms of carbon free energy generation. This is so as to not place an over reliance on solar energy generation. The use of previously developed land for solar generation, (for example through solar canopies above carparks) to be encouraged over previously undeveloped land.

d.     There be a re-examination of the benefits of e-cargo bikes in addition to the focus on electric vans in order to support efforts to reduce emissions generated from ‘last mile’ deliveries.

e.     The development of a transport hierarchy that gives greater priority to delivery of EV infrastructure that can be used to support the expansion of shared EV use, for example through a network of car clubs, over private EV infrastructure, and that public EV charging infrastructure also includes provision for e-bikes.

f.               Greater recognition that:

                                          i.    trips undertaken by motorcycle tend to be lower total mileage with a proportionally smaller level of emissions. Motorcycles are part of the solution, not the problem.

                                        ii.    emissions from motorcycles should be regarded as a separate heading from cars. Motorcycles are not two wheeled cars.

g.     That as part of the development of a Strategic Active Travel Network, specific KPIs around the total length of new cycleways and other measures to encourage Active Travel be introduced in addition to a KPI relating to the total length of footpaths delivered.

h.     That City Science be asked to recheck and clarify the wording of paragraphs and tables relating to the alignment of Transport Route Map targets with the most recent version of the Local Transport and the Connectivity Plan, (para 3.3.2) in light of concerns by the Panel that there were inconsistencies in the figures given.

i.               That the report acknowledges the opportunity of removing HGV traffic by encouraging more rail freight, and passenger rail transportation (e.g. East / West Rail).

3.     The governance and reporting proposals set out in the report be endorsed subject to the implementation of a quarterly reporting cycle, rather than a six monthly reporting cycle.

4.     The Partnership endorse the development of a briefing open to members of the Partnership, members of the Scrutiny Panel, members of the advisory group and supporting officers around the potential contribution of Doughnut Economics to the delivery of reduced emissions and a sustainable economy in support of the objectives of PaZCO and the Oxfordshire Strategic Vision.