Sustainability & Environmental Consulting

On November 6, a significant collaborative event took place in Oxford, where over 90 participants from various sectors, including businesses, local councils, community groups, charities, and universities, gathered to address sustainability challenges in Oxfordshire. The primary focus was on implementing the One Planet Living framework to create a sustainable action plan for the region, termed One Planet Oxfordshire. This initiative aimed to tackle the pressing issues of climate change and ecological degradation by fostering a collective vision for a healthier and greener future.

The event was initiated by Nicole Lazarus, Head of One Planet Living at Bioregional, who provided context on the ecological footprint of Oxfordshire and shared successful examples from other city-regions implementing the One Planet Cities project. Participants engaged in interactive sessions, generating draft outcomes and ideas for sustainability initiatives. One notable outcome was the aspiration for Oxfordshire to be recognized as the most sustainable county in the UK, which received enthusiastic support from attendees.

Throughout the day, participants collaborated in workshops to refine their ideas and draft initial actions, focusing on critical areas such as local and sustainable food, which is a significant contributor to the region's environmental footprint. The discussions culminated in identifying indicators for measuring progress and success, with participants brainstorming next steps and potential champions for each outcome. This collaborative effort not only energized the participants but also laid the groundwork for future workshops aimed at developing more specific actions to achieve the sustainability goals set forth during the event.

The One Planet Oxfordshire initiative represents a concerted effort to unite diverse stakeholders in the region, leveraging their collective expertise and resources to drive meaningful change in sustainability practices, ultimately aiming for a transformative impact on the community and environment.