Environment & Energy
Browse the latest environment & energy news, comment and stories in Oxford and across Oxfordshire.
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Dramatic aerial photo highlights the importance of floodplain to wildlife and people
A dramatic aerial photo of hundreds of acres of farmland and countryside in flood shows how the Thames floodplain can store water to help people and wildlife – and tackle the effects of climate change.
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BBOWT wildlife surveys reveals nature reserves providing haven from climate change crisis
The highest number of glow worms recorded at a nature reserve was one of this year’s highlights for Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT).
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Rare birds to get £230k home upgrade including their own security cameras
Rare birds and butterflies will get a £230,000 home upgrade with new pools, security cameras and anti-predator fencing on the Oxfordshire / Buckinghamshire border.
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Award-winning Graven Hill community celebrates bat success story
A long-term project to relocate bats on the Graven Hill development has been hailed as a success as several endangered bat species have taken over newly installed roosts in the form of bat boxes.
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University of Oxford is one of UK’s most wildlife-friendly, according to a study
The University of Oxford has been recognised as one of the UK’s leading universities for looking after wildlife – on campus and in the wider community.
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South Oxfordshire Council secures funding to install solar panels at Cornerstone
South Oxfordshire District Council has been successful in its bid for government funding of more than £370k towards the installation of solar panels and air source heat pumps at it’s Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot.
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Cherwell District Council’s waste and recycling crews to begin collecting Christmas trees
The trees will be taken to an in-vessel composting site at Ardley, where they’ll be composted at high temperatures before being redistributed to farmers as compost.
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Local councils to get climate change scorecards in new survey
The survey was initiated by Climate Emergency UK, a body set up in response to the climate emergency declarations that councils started making at the end of 2018.
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Funding is available for community climate projects in the Vale
Local groups can apply for a share of £50,000 from the latest round of the Vale of White Horse District Council’s Climate Action Fund, with up to £5,000 on offer for individual projects.
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Council employee leads petition against pension investment in fossil fuel firms
The petition to pull out of pension investments in fossil fuel companies like shell was started by one of the Oxfordshire County Council’s employees and has gathered more than 500 signatures.
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National emergency as Met Office issues first-ever red warning for extreme heat
The Met Office has warned of an “exceptional hot spell on Monday and Tuesday”, and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has raised its heat health warning to level four, “national emergency”.
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UPDATED: Amber warning for extreme heat across Oxfordshire extended to Monday
The amber weather warning issued across a large part of the UK, which comes ahead of further soaring temperatures this week, means there could be widespead impact on people and infrastructure.
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Blenheim Palace launch free shuttle service with Oxford Bus Company
It forms part of a major drive by Blenheim Palace to provide sustainable transport solutions as part of its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2027.
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Councils to let wildflowers bloom during No Mow May
The two councils already designate wildflower meadows, which they only cut two to three times a year, but this year, they will trial leaving several additional areas of land uncut for No May Mow.
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Work on Oxford City Council decarbonisation projects nearing completion
The project to reduce the carbon emissions from public leisure centres, has seen a significant proportion of the heating provided by gas boilers replaced with heat pumps that transfer heat from the air or water.
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Planning application submitted for Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme
The Environment Agency has submitted the planning application to build the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme. This is a significant step towards reducing flood risk to homes, businesses and transport links in Oxford.