Oadby and Wigston Borough Council is committed to playing its part in responding to the growing evidence that urgent action is required to respond to climate change.
As a local authority we have a leadership role to play and will take action to reduce carbon emissions from our own assets and operations. However, tackling climate change cannot be done alone and we also have a role in working locally to reduce the wider borough's emissions, influencing local residents and businesses and encouraging a partnership approach involving a range of stakeholders.
Tackling climate change requires significant cuts to greenhouse gas emissions (including carbon) and action from us all to prevent the worst of its impacts. The UK government has a legally binding national commitment to cut emissions and reach net-zero by 2050.
This page aims to keep you informed of the activities the council is engaged in to tackle climate change and reduce carbon emissions.
Our Climate Change Strategy
We asked local residents for their views on our draft Climate Change Strategy, and if they agreed with the proposed Strategy Vision, Goals, Key Principles, Key Areas for Action, and whether they had any additional views to share.
We did this to help us shape the final Climate Change Strategy which you can read below, and ensure it is fit for purpose in our local area.
Climate Change Strategy - 2024 (PDF Document, 809.38 Kb)
This document supersedes our previous Environment Strategy:
Environment Strategy and Action Plan (PDF Document, 495.67 Kb)
Local Plan
Our new Local Plan contains information about our climate plans for the period up to the year 2031.
Learn more about our new Local Plan
Electric Vehicle Charge Points
In order to help residents transition to electric vehicles, we have installed electric vehicle charge points throughout the borough.
Learn more about our electric vehicle charge points
Green Living Leicestershire
Green Living Leicestershire is a partnership between Leicestershire authorities (Blaby District Council, Charnwood Borough Council, Harborough District Council, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, Leicestershire County Council, Melton Borough Council, North West Leicestershire District Council, Oadby & Wigston Borough Council) to deliver projects supporting sustainability and Net Zero - the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to as close to zero as possible.
The partnership work together on projects which support delivery of objectives in relation to environmental protection and improvement, including energy efficiency, carbon reduction, climate adaptation and resilience, nature recovery and resource efficiency, sustainable transport, circular economy and community engagement.
Projects may be run by all or a group of the local authorities.
Projects run through the Green Living Leicestershire partnership can be found through individual local authority websites and include: Solar Together, Big Community Switch and Net Zero Toolkit.
Energy Efficiency Funding Schemes
Funding is now available for energy efficiency improvements to homes in Oadby & Wigston at no cost to residents.
Learn more about the Energy Efficiency Funding Scheme
Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
Qualifying householders can also access funding to upgrade heating or improve home insulation through the government’s Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme. ECO is a requirement placed upon energy companies to help improve the domestic energy efficiency of lower income homes. The scheme runs until 31 March 2026.
Green Living Leicestershire are working together to widen access to this funding through Flexible Eligibility. Oadby & Wigston Borough Council is utilising “ECO Flex” to support low income or vulnerable households to access energy efficiency improvements via ECO funding and participates in a joint Statement of Intent with Leicestershire authorities which sets out the eligibility criteria.
There are several routes of eligibility for ECO funding. Please visit the dedicated webpages to find out more.
HERO project
A Green Living Leicestershire project, delivered by the County Council’s Warm Homes service, in partnership with district authorities, has been awarded £400,000 by the government to support the HERO project (Home Energy Retrofit Offer), to connect eligible people to advice and funding for the installation of energy efficiency improvements, which will reduce energy costs as well as making households warmer and greener.
County residents can apply here
Council office move to Brocks Hill
The council has swapped its primary offices from Bushloe House in Wigston to Brocks Hill Country Park in Oadby in an innovative and eco-friendly move.
Learn more about the environmental benefits of the Brocks Hill redevelopment
Solar Together
In 2022, 2023 and 2024 we participated in the Solar Together scheme offering residents the chance to purchase solar panels to generate their own electricity, which led to several residents taking up the offer and solar panels being installed throughout the borough.
Learn more about Solar Together here
Tree Planting
We have been working towards climate targets by planting hundreds of new trees across the borough’s green spaces, and giving away 1,000 free trees to local residents, schools and community groups.
Learn more about our tree planting
Learn more about our free trees giveaway
Climate Change Baseline Study
The Council has been working with APSE (Association of Public Service Excellence) Energy to produce a 2019/20 Climate Change Baseline Study to measure the carbon footprint for Council operations and to provide a trajectory report to include decarbonisation scenarios and recommendations for net-zero.
A 2030 net zero trajectory was selected for discussion purposes; many other councils have a 2030 target, and this report will allow for an evidence-based discussion on what is the best course of action for OWBC.
Net Zero Carbon Emissions Trajectory (PDF Document, 1.43 Mb)
Net Zero Toolkit
This toolkit aims to provide a starting point for town, parish councils and community groups to address net zero in their local community. It has been developed in partnership with Green Living Leicestershire and aligns to the Leicestershire Climate and Nature Pact.
Leicestershire Climate and Nature Pact
The council has teamed up with Leicestershire County Council and key partners and stakeholders from leading organisations to draw up an ambitious set of principles setting out Leicestershire’s commitment to tackle climate change, nature decline and carbon reduction.
Last updated: Tuesday, 27 August 2024 3:58 pm