1. The climate emergency should be an explicit and integral consideration in all local authority decision making.
Newman, David – Green
Strongly agree
Green Councillors in Oxford successfully proposed that Oxford declare a climate and ecological emergency in January 2019. There have been lots of words since then (e.g. talk of a 2040 zero carbon target for the City with no funding and an incomplete action plan) – but no measurable progress. Our councillors in South Oxfordshire have gone further. But the county council only has a plan for its own buildings and equipment, not the rest of the county.
2. I support the Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE) Bill
Newman, David – Green
Strongly agree
It was Green Councillors in Oxford that successfully proposed a motion to the City Council in support of the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill (co-sponsored by Green MP Caroline Lucas). This motion urged MPs to support the Bill although – to date – the City’s Labour MP has refused to do so.
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.
Newman, David – Green
Strongly agree
A 50% target is broadly in line with the independent research commissioned for the Oxford Citizen’s Assembly which the Greens have supported. By 2030, this indicates a minimum 25% reduction in travel by car combined with an 8% shift towards more sustainable travel modes and diminishing use of fossil-fuelled vehicles. Reduce cars, allow buses and motorcycles and make them all electric like my Zero DSR.
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.
Newman, David – Green
Strongly agree
The Greens submitted amendments to this effect to the Local Plan enquiry – although not all recommendations were accepted. 15-minute neighbourhoods form a key part of our 2021 Oxford City Council manifesto alongside policies to deliver the necessary transport ad planning changes. Here in Blackbird Leys a lot is easily accessible in 15 minutes and more will be when the centre is redeveloped.
5. All new homes built in Oxfordshire should be built to zero carbon standards.
Newman, David – Green
Strongly agree
Even my 2008 built house has gas heating, although it is well insulated. New houses can and should be better. There are companies in Oxfordshire which design negative net carbon houses (taking account of the CO2 production in building materials). This is not in the current Local Plan – despite submissions from the Greens pointing out this was technically and legally possible.
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.
Newman, David – Green
Strongly agree
That national government project to support retrofitting houses has collapsed. They gave the organisation of their minimal Green deal to a US company that fails to pay tradesmen in time. The current Cosy Homes project needs to be massively expanded, with Council support, I have been waiting since November for an assessment of my house. Energiesprong retrofits introduced for Council-own properties, and tougher energy criteria introduced for landlords.
7. Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council should introduce policies that support the installation of renewable energy sources.
Newman, David – Green
Strongly agree
Apart from support of Zero Carbon Oxfordshire projects in schools etc., there has been little council support of increasing renewable energy to make Oxfordshire self-sufficient. Ambitions are modest and not backed up by robust policy. The Greens want cheap Council borrowing to be used to invest in e.g. solar farms delivering against climate and financial goals. When this was proposed by the Greens, the City Council instead decided to speculate £20m on commercial properties.
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.
Newman, David – Green
Strongly agree
There is no plan to do this – despite the City having adopted, under pressure from the Greens, a 2040 net zero carbon target. Without massive local investment in e.g. solar, hydro and battery storage, and genuinely renewable biomass, we cannot decarbonise rapidly enough. By 2030, we need 20x current amount of local renewable energy.
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.
Newman, David – Green
Agree
As we have seen in the pandemic, people need green spaces and nature needs diverse habitats. Oxfordshire’s area of biodiverse habitats are shrinking and not connected. Even the green corridor along the Thames is being built upon near Iffley. The City Council do not even have an up-to-date biodiversity action plan and rely on the weak protection offered by the Local Plan. Meanwhile many sites rich in biodiversity are under threat from urbanisation whilst brownfields sites remain under-developed. The Greens recently won tentative Council support for a new National Park to the north-east of the City.
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.
Newman, David – Green
Strongly agree
I worked in Kenya to reduce deforestation by testing and disseminating the Kenya Ceramic Jiko, a stove that reduced woodfuel consumption by a third. It started a new industry, producing 25,000 a year. To see how much trees can help, read Egon Glesinger’s 1953 book, the coming age of wood.
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).
Newman, David – Green
Strongly agree
There are 20 organic farms around Faringdon. Award-winning restaurants across the county use local produce. There are allotments and community gardens everywhere. Each year the Oxford Real Farming Conference brings agro-ecology farmers together. But that has not reached all parts of the county. We need massive support and promotion to transform our food and farming to create a healthier county and people.
12. Finally, in 100 words or less, please describe what you plan to contribute to ensuring a green and just recovery in Oxford/ Oxfordshire.
Newman, David – Green
Our Green New Deal for Oxford addresses the climate emergency by delivering a decarbonised, more localised circular economy, with a funded net zero target, reflecting recent societal shifts, while addressing the housing crisis and inequality. Councils need to invest in renewable energy projects, rewrite Local Plan policies for sustainable buildings, and meet social housing needs. We will reduce pollution by improved, sustainable public transport, better cycling provision, and support for the electrification of transport by expanding the high voltage vehicle charging network. Green spaces and biodiversity must be enhanced, within a broader commitment to improving public health and our environment.
