It has been inspiring to see how our local action is already helping leverage wider policy change
Nationally:
- LCWO successfully lobbied DECC (Department for Energy and Climate Change) on allowing community groups to receive grants and still benefit from the new Feed in Tariff, and to overcome barriers regarding State Aid rules.
- DECC included LCWO as a case study in the UK Renewable Energy Strategy 2009 which is part of the UK Low Carbon Transition Plan published by the government on 15th July 2009.
- The lessons from LCWO and other winning BGC projects are being used by NESTA to influence government and local authority policy on climate change.
- This year the Department of Energy and Climate Change will be seeking to learn from West Oxford’s experience
Locally:
- LCWO successfully used the Sustainable Communities Act to submit a number of policy recommendations to the council and government aimed facilitating local and community action on climate change. The Act puts a duty on the Council and Government to reach agreement with communities on proposals for sustainability. Oxford City Council welcomed and agreed the majority of LCWO’s proposals, and the Local Government Association (LGA) selector panel subsequently shortlisted several to be put forward to the government for approval
- The City Council invited representatives from LCWO to participate in the Climate Change Committee of the Oxford Strategic Partnership, including 2 workshops in January to develop a vision of a low carbon future for Oxford city
- Representatives from LCWO and WOCR were invited to a reception for volunteers at Downing Street where they presented Gordon Brown with a WOCR share certificate. Representatives from LCWO were invited to a reception with Gordon Brown at No 10 Downing Street in July
- Liberal Democrat leader, Nick Clegg, visited LCWO on 28 May 2009. He was shown around a house on East Street, which is currently undergoing an eco-renovation.