Council invites people to get involved and invest in its net zero plans
People are to be invited to get involved in Oxfordshire County Council’s plans to become a net zero organisation by 2030 and be a part of the journey for the whole county to become net zero by 2050.
Oxfordshire County Council launched its Climate Action Framework in 2020, which set out how it wants to cut its own emissions and transform into an organisation that can play its part in Oxfordshire’s green transition.
As part of these plans, the council is now launching the first round of the Oxfordshire Green Investment, which will allow residents and businesses to invest in the greener future of their communities.
It is looking to raise an initial £500,000 to help fund a range of energy efficiency improvements to council owned buildings, such as fire stations and care homes as well as an ambitious tree planting programme.
While the council invests its own money in many climate change measures, this was seen as a great opportunity to allow the public to be involved in our net zero ambition.
This type of investment, also known as a Community Municipal Investment, will offer a “low-risk” return of [4.4 per cent] a year, which is fixed for the full five year investment term. Anyone can get involved, with a minimum investment of just £5.
Councillor Dan Levy, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance said: “The council wants to lead the way by reaching net zero significantly ahead of the national 2050 target, and wants to inspire local residents and businesses to join it along the way.
“This scheme is a chance for people to get involved and help fund the council’s exciting plans. Initially, we want to raise £500,000 to support a variety of green measures;to decarbonise council-owned buildings; help create cleaner air; and improve local biodiversity for the county as a whole.”
Councillor Pete Sudbury Deputy Leader of the Council with Responsibility for Climate Change, Environment & Future Generations said: “It's great to be able to offer residents of this county an investment designed for a decent return, with a direct impact on improving their local environment and services."
The investment process is managed by Abundance Investment, a leading platform for ethical and sustainable investments. It’s simple (and free) to find out more about how to get involved – just click here to get started.
This initiative is entirely separate from the council’s budget process for 2025/26 and beyond.
Notes to editors:
Investments are long-term and may be hard to sell. Council investments are not a savings account and you are lending money to a council. Changes in market interest rates may affect the value of your investment if you sell before maturity. Approver: Abundance investment (FRN 525432). Approval date: 25/11/24.
Abundance’s service in relation to council investments (P2P loans) is not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future.
Holding investments in an IFISA does not reduce the risk of the investment or protect you from losses. You can still lose all your money. It only means that any potential gains from your investment will be tax free. The tax treatment of your investment will depend on your individual circumstances and may change in the future.
Oxfordshire Green Investment, which is a loan, is Green Loan Principles compliant and is being issued under a Green Finance Framework. This is a voluntary standard which sets out how Oxfordshire County Council intends to manage its green local authority securities in the future, and outlines how it will meet the Green Loan Principles. This assures investors that funds raised can only be used to help them deliver on eligible green projects from within this framework, and Abundance will monitor the use of funds across the investment term to ensure the principles are being adhered to.