Environment & Energy
Browse the latest environment & energy news, comment and stories in Oxford and across Oxfordshire.
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Thames Water criticised after Oxfordshire outages and sewage spill concerns
A new Oxfordshire water outage in Chipping Norton and sewage spill concerns at South Moreton have triggered renewed criticism of Thames Water, with GMB Union calling for urgent reform and nationalisation of water services.
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The M&M Group records fourth year of rising recycling rates
Witney-based The M&M Group has achieved record recycling rates for a fourth straight year, diverting more than 98 per cent of waste from landfill through recycling and energy recovery.
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Residents reminded to book before visiting Oxfordshire recycling centres
Residents must book a time slot before visiting Oxfordshire’s household waste recycling centres, with the council saying the system has reduced queues and improved recycling rates.
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World Soil Day highlights hidden contamination across Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire’s construction boom is revealing widespread contaminated soil, with specialists like Maylarch Environmental working to identify and safely manage asbestos and other hazards. New testing and remediation methods ensure redevelopment meets strict environmental and public-health standards.
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Oxfordshire Libraries offer free food caddy bags to cut Christmas waste
Oxfordshire libraries are giving away free food waste caddy liners this December to help residents manage extra Christmas waste. The council hopes the scheme will encourage more recycling, cut costs and support environmental goals across the county.
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Local bat numbers double as Graven Hill’s conservation plan thrives in Bicester
Graven Hill’s bat population has nearly doubled in a year thanks to a decade-long conservation strategy, new habitats, and expert monitoring. Waterman’s latest surveys show rising roost numbers and growing species diversity across the Bicester development.
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Oxfordshire launches ambitious local nature recovery strategy
Oxfordshire has launched its Local Nature Recovery Strategy — a bold, collaborative roadmap to restore biodiversity, strengthen climate resilience, and reconnect people with nature through a pioneering interactive mapping tool and countywide community partnerships.
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BBOWT launches £300,000 appeal to protect ancient woodland in Buckinghamshire
BBOWT has launched a £300k appeal to protect Hamgreen Wood, a rare ancient woodland between Bicester and Aylesbury. The site provides vital habitat for Bechstein’s bats and the black hairstreak butterfly, making it one of the region’s most valuable reserves.
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Oxfordshire residents urged to rescue recyclables for Recycle Week 2025
Oxfordshire residents are being urged to ‘rescue’ overlooked items such as aerosols, toothpaste tubes and shampoo bottles from rubbish bins during Recycle Week 2025, helping the county build on its record recycling success and tackle the climate emergency.
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Nearly 40 Oxfordshire flood reduction schemes receive grants
Oxfordshire County Council is awarding over £500k in grants to fund 39 schemes aimed at reducing flooding across the county. Chosen from more than 80 applications, the projects include drainage improvements, natural flood management, ditch works, flood sensors, and public awareness measures.
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Solar panel and battery scheme by Oxfordshire County Council reaches milestone
A solar panel and battery storage trial led by Oxfordshire County Council, in partnership with SMS and Metis, has reached its 100th household installation. Funded by the government’s Net Zero Innovation Portfolio, the scheme allows residents to pay just £40 per month, avoiding large upfront costs.
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Darcica Logistics adds electric truck for zero-emission deliveries in Oxfordshire
Darcica Logistics, based in Bicester and part of Palletways UK, has added a DAF XB 18-tonne electric truck to support its mission of zero-emission pallet deliveries in Oxfordshire. The truck, with a 16-pallet capacity and 300km range, aligns with Oxford’s Zero Emission Zone goals.
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Climate Emergency UK ranks Oxfordshire best-performing council for second year
Oxfordshire County Council has been named the UK’s top-performing council for climate action by Climate Emergency UK’s 2025 scorecard. This marks the second consecutive year Oxfordshire has achieved this distinction. The score reflects strong efforts across waste, transport, built environment, and nature recovery.
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Oxford secures £21m government boost for city-wide low-carbon heat network
Oxford is set to launch a city-wide low-carbon heat network with £21m in government funding and an initial £100m from developer 1Energy. The Oxford Energy Network could grow to £500m, cutting carbon emissions by 15,000 tonnes annually and reducing fossil gas demand by 10%.
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Wildlife protections barely affect UK planning decisions according to The Wildlife Trusts
The Wildlife Trusts has published new research claiming that protected species are a factor in just 3% of planning appeal decisions, contradicting the UK Government’s claims that environmental regulations obstruct development.
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Oxfordshire launches annual programme to clean and empty all highway drainage gullies
Oxfordshire County Council has launched a £2.6m programme to clean and empty every highway drainage gully across the county by March 2026, and annually thereafter, to improve drainage, reduce potholes, and enhance road safety.