1. The climate emergency should be an explicit and integral consideration in all local authority decision making.
Akehurst, Luke – Labour
Strongly agree
Jarvis, Chris – Green
Strongly agree
Climate change is the single biggest issue facing the world today. We need to rapidly decarbonise while overhauling our economy so it works for people and planet.
Wolff, Dick – Green
Strongly agree
It’s the central issue that dominates everything and should be the starting point for all policy
2. I support the Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE) Bill
Akehurst, Luke – Labour
Agree
Jarvis, Chris – Green
Strongly agree
The CEE Bill would be a key legislative measure for taking meaningful action on climate change.
Wolff, Dick – Green
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.
Akehurst, Luke – Labour
Agree
Jarvis, Chris – Green
Strongly agree
Reducing car usage is key to getting a grip on Oxford’s air pollution crisis and limiting our contributions to climate change. I would want to see this delivered through a combination of improved infrastructure for cycling and walking, improved rail links and through cross-subsidised, affordable, accessible buses in public control/ownership (Depending on whether the new National Bus Strategy will finally allow for this!)
Wolff, Dick – Green
Strongly agree
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.
Akehurst, Luke – Labour
Strongly agree
Jarvis, Chris – Green
Strongly agree
This should form the bedrock of future planning decisions.
Wolff, Dick – Green
Strongly agree
5. All new homes built in Oxfordshire should be built to zero carbon standards.
Akehurst, Luke – Labour
Strongly agree
Jarvis, Chris – Green
Strongly agree
There’s no excuse on this one – it should be mandatory and coincide with an mass retro-fitting programme for the existing housing stock.
Wolff, Dick – Green
Strongly agree
I have been working for this for several years with my councillor colleague Craig Simmons. The Citizens Assembly were unanimous in agreeing this as a necessity. We cannot lock in carbon dependency in our built environment for another 80 years.
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.
Akehurst, Luke – Labour
Agree
Jarvis, Chris – Green
Strongly agree
This is crucial to both reducing carbon emissions and eliminating fuel poverty through subsequent bill reductions.
Wolff, Dick – Green
Strongly agree
7. Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council should introduce policies that support the installation of renewable energy sources.
Akehurst, Luke – Labour
Strongly agree
Jarvis, Chris – Green
Strongly agree
The council(s) should be investing significantly in community and co-operatively owned renewable energy. In particular, the City Council should be redirecting money earmarked for risky commercial property investments into renewable energy.
Wolff, Dick – Green
Strongly agree
And invest in renewable energy generation instead of in commercial property, as the Labour-led City Council did at Budget Council 2021
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.
Akehurst, Luke – Labour
Strongly agree
Jarvis, Chris – Green
Strongly agree
This is crucial. The best way to deliver this would be through huge investment in local, community and co-operatively owned renewable energy.
Wolff, Dick – Green
Strongly agree
follows from first question
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.
Akehurst, Luke – Labour
Strongly agree
Jarvis, Chris – Green
Strongly agree
Throughout the pandemic, it has become even clearer just how vital public green spaces are, both for people and for the wider environment. Existing green spaces must be enhanced and preserved, and the Greens support the introduction of a new national park in the North East of Oxford.
Wolff, Dick – Green
Strongly agree
Because biodiversity is an essential element in the struggle against climate breakdown
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.
Akehurst, Luke – Labour
Strongly agree
Jarvis, Chris – Green
Strongly agree
Wolff, Dick – Green
Strongly agree
locking up carbon and maintaining/increasing biodiversity
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).
Akehurst, Luke – Labour
Strongly agree
Jarvis, Chris – Green
Strongly agree
Reducing emissions and waste in the food supply chain is crucial. I am strongly in support of the Green proposed new Oxford Food Strategy to deliver healthy, sustainable and nutritious food for all, and would work to support initiatives to maximise local food production and consumption.
Wolff, Dick – Green
Strongly agree
the soil is in crisis
12. Finally, in 100 words or less, please describe what you plan to contribute to ensuring a green and just recovery in Oxford/ Oxfordshire.
Akehurst, Luke – Labour
As a Labour candidate I am fully committed to the carbon neutral and social justice agenda for Oxford’s future set out in Oxford Labour’s manifesto here: https://tinyurl.com/4bhhf57h
Jarvis, Chris – Green
Oxford needs a Green New Deal built around the key principles of climate and ecological justice that delivers a decarbonised and much more localised economy in order to effectively and fairly recover from the Covid crisis and the legacy of austerity. This is central to the Green Party’s vision for the city and for the county, and will underpin every project, policy and initiative I support, undertake and advocate for if elected.
Wolff, Dick – Green
Challenging ‘spin’ from the parties in power, pushing them to honour their own pledges and then push them further. From an elected position within Council