1. The climate emergency should be an explicit and integral consideration in all local authority decision making.
McGlynn, Kevin – Green
Strongly agree
Smowton, Chris – Liberal Democrat
Strongly agree
2. I support the Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE) Bill
McGlynn, Kevin – Green
Agree
Smowton, Chris – Liberal Democrat
Strongly agree
3. Motorised traffic in and through Oxford should be reduced 50% below present levels by 2030, to limit air pollution and increase space for cyclists and pedestrians.
McGlynn, Kevin – Green
Strongly agree
Smowton, Chris – Liberal Democrat
Agree
Precise level isn’t important especially if the vehicles are ZEVs; the important bit is they’re not deleterious to the quality of public transit or active travel
4. Development decisions (planning and housing) should design out car-dependency and facilitate the creation of 15 minute neighbourhoods, where residents can access all daily goods and services within a 15 minute walk.
McGlynn, Kevin – Green
Strongly agree
Smowton, Chris – Liberal Democrat
Strongly agree
5. All new homes built in Oxfordshire should be built to zero carbon standards.
McGlynn, Kevin – Green
Agree
Smowton, Chris – Liberal Democrat
Agree
Though the tradeoff between more expensive / fewer zero-carbon homes and less expensive / more low-carbon homes is not straightforward considering e.g. social housing wait lists
6. Local authorities should introduce policies and measures to enable all homes in Oxford and Oxfordshire to achieve an EPC rating of C or higher by 2035.
McGlynn, Kevin – Green
Strongly agree
Smowton, Chris – Liberal Democrat
Strongly agree
7. Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council should introduce policies that support the installation of renewable energy sources.
McGlynn, Kevin – Green
Strongly agree
Smowton, Chris – Liberal Democrat
Agree
Similarly to previous question, this is a good use of funds but will compete in the budget with shorter-term but also valid needs
8. Local authorities should use every available mechanism (including the planning system, grants and others), and support and enable innovation, to phase out fossil fuel use across Oxford, including domestic, business and industrial use as well as use in their own buildings and operations.
McGlynn, Kevin – Green
Agree
Smowton, Chris – Liberal Democrat
Strongly agree
9. The creation, protection and restoration of biodiversity and green spaces for all should be a priority for local authorities including the development of a Nature Recovery Network.
McGlynn, Kevin – Green
Strongly agree
Smowton, Chris – Liberal Democrat
Neither agree or disagree
Focusing first on the 90%+ of UK land that is not urbanised seems likely to get more bang for your buck, so from a City perspective I see this as a lower priority
10. As Oxfordshire County Council candidate, I support the doubling of tree cover in Oxfordshire by 2045; AND/OR: As Oxford City Council candidate, I support Oxford making a significant contribution to doubling tree cover in Oxfordshire by 2045.
McGlynn, Kevin – Green
Agree
Smowton, Chris – Liberal Democrat
Agree
More so for county, where this can be done on former agricultural land, which will be cheaper and more effective than pursuing the policy in the city.
11. Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council should introduce policies that support the development of a food system which promotes local production and use of agro-ecological methods (ie sustainable farming methods that work with nature).
McGlynn, Kevin – Green
Strongly agree
Smowton, Chris – Liberal Democrat
Agree
Less harmful methods: yes. Trying to grow everything locally though is in conflict with efficiency, which in turn reduces cost of living. Considering transport is a small contributor to food production emissions, that tradeoff is not obvious. Immediately after severing ties with the EU is also maybe not the best time for insularity / mercantilism.
