Oxford: Low-carbon business network formed for Oxfordshire

Oxfordshire Greentech, a new low-carbon business network, launches in February at the Said Business School in Oxford.

The network has been set up through a collaborative partnership between Cherwell District Council, Bioregional and Cambridge Cleantech and aims to bring together businesses and organisations to support the growth of the low-carbon sector in Oxfordshire.

Councillor Lynn Pratt, lead member for economy, regeneration, and property, said: “This is a wonderful example of partnership working, creating sustainable economic growth which will be a flagship example for other counties to follow. The launch of Oxfordshire Greentech is an important milestone, and I warmly invite all Oxfordshire businesses to attend and be part of this exciting new network.”

The launch has attracted considerable attention with the organisers having to move the event to a larger venue due to the demand.

Martin Garratt, executive director at Oxfordshire Greentech, said:  “I am delighted that we have a full house for the launch, and I am looking forward to welcoming all the delegates from across the private, public and academic sectors. We have a fantastic line-up of speakers for the breakfast event and will also be announcing the findings of a new study on the strength of the Greentech cluster in Oxfordshire.”

According to a report published by Oxford University Centre for the Environment, Oxfordshire’s Low Carbon Economy, with adequate support and initiative, Oxfordshire has the potential to become a leader in the global low carbon economy. Oxfordshire has a history of successful community participation and is home to one of the largest community energy projects in the UK, the Low Carbon Hub (LCH). The LCH is a pioneering social enterprise working to put renewable energy at the core of UK's energy system.

Oxfordshire Greentech is part of OxFutures, a £3.2 million project to boost low-carbon economic development in Oxfordshire. It is supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through a collaborative partnership between the Low Carbon Hub, Cherwell District Council, Bioregional, Oxford City Council, the University of Oxford, and Oxford Brookes University.