ENERGY SOLUTIONS OXFORDSHIRE
Empowering Oxfordshire’s transition to net-zero: Energy Solutions Oxfordshire publishes key findings in the Understanding non-domestic retrofit in Oxfordshire report
Energy Solutions Oxfordshire’s latest research report, “Understanding Non-Domestic Retrofit in Oxfordshire” is aimed at helping policy makers better distribute resources and funding towards practical climate action.
Oxfordshire has been at the forefront of the net-zero movement, marked by significant projects like the Energy Superhub Oxford and Project LEO. Local initiatives such as OxFutures have shown practical pathways to decarbonisation and Oxford University in the Pathways to a Zero Carbon Oxfordshire (PAZCO) report, mapped routes to net zero.
Despite these advances, the 2019 Oxfordshire Energy Strategy highlighted the need for a more robust plan for updating the county’s building stock. This report fills that gap, offering comprehensive insights into the current state of Oxfordshire’s non-domestic buildings. It details which organisations are championing energy efficiency upgrades, their motivations, and the technologies they are adopting.
Key insights from the report
Ambitious goals, clear pathways: Oxfordshire has set a target of 50% emissions reduction by 2030. The report summarises the strategic commitments that already exist within the County but emphasises the necessity for a well-funded approach to achieve them.
Supporting local businesses: ESOx advocates for increased support for SME (Small or Medium sized Enterprise) businesses, aiming to bridge the funding gap, and speeding up the implementation of energy-efficient retrofits. While non-profit organisations have access to grants, SMEs need added backing to contribute significantly to the county’s net-zero goals.