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Pictured: Previous Oxford Climate Awards events and winners
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Meet the finalists for the Oxford Climate Awards 2026🌍🏆
This week, the finalists of the Oxford Climate Awards 2026 have been announced.Â
Organised by the Oxford Mail and Oxford City Council, the awards celebrate the individuals, community groups and organisations leading the way in tackling the climate emergency across the city.
From a range of different climate action projects, the awards shine a spotlight on those making a real difference in the fight against climate change and helping to build a greener Oxford.Â
The finalists of the Oxford Climate Awards 2026 are:Â
Biodiversity and Ecology AwardÂ
- Lucy Properties
- Witney Town Council
- Friends of Lye ValleyÂ
Climate Action ChampionÂ
- Saroj Saurya
- Eleanor Watts
- Chris ChurchÂ
Climate Community Group AwardÂ
- Low Carbon Oxford North
- Westmill Energy
- Rose Hill and Iffley Low CarbonÂ
Green Building and Design AwardÂ
- Harwell Science and Design Award
- 86 Arlington Drive
- Wolfson CollegeÂ
Green Transport AwardÂ
- Andrew Verschoyle
- Velocity Cycle Couriers
- ZIMBLÂ
Innovation in Climate Action AwardÂ
- Raff Lab
- Food for charities / Botley Bikers
- Good Food Oxfordshire and OxFarmToForkÂ
Retrofit Champion AwardÂ
- Catherine Toledo
- David Braun
- Nikki LambertÂ
Sustainable Further Education School/College of the Year AwardÂ
- Wadham College
- ACE Training
- Dunn SchoolÂ
Sustainable Medium Business of the Year AwardÂ
- Velocity Cycle Couriers
- Vale and Downland Museum (Wantage)
- Wild to Wonderful Gardens LtdÂ
Sustainable School of the Year AwardÂ
- Fitzharrys SchoolÂ
- Magdalen College School
- Cheney School (River Learning Trust)Â
Sustainable Small Business of the Year AwardÂ
- The Village Refill
- Chippy Flower Farm
- Heaton Design and EngineeringÂ
To read about the finalists, pick up today's edition of the Oxford Mail, or the Oxford Times.Â
The winners will be decided at an awards ceremony at Oxford Town Hall on Thursday 15 October.
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 Y.O.U Oxford in the Covered Market, which uses Fairtrade cotton and is an Oxford Living Wage employer.
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Fair pay matters, in Oxford and around the world
Oxford has been a Fairtrade City since 2004, supporting efforts to make global trade fairer for farmers and workers.
For this Fairtrade Fortnight (21 September to 4 October), the theme is Fair Pay, encouraging people to remember a simple truth: fair pay matters because everyone deserves the chance to live well.
Fairtrade helps farmers and producers receive fairer prices for their products, supports better working conditions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The campaign recognises that everyone deserves the opportunity to earn enough to live well and plan for the future.
That resonates locally too. In Oxford, the Oxford Living Wage encourages employers to pay staff a wage that reflects the real cost of living, helping to tackle in-work poverty and ensure that work provides a decent standard of living. Both movements recognise that fair work deserves fair pay.
There are lots of ways to get involved during Fairtrade Fortnight. You can choose Fairtrade products when shopping, support Oxford Living Wage businesses, attend a local event, sign up to the Oxford Fair Trade Coalition newsletter, support local businesses that champion fair pay, or help spread the word among friends and family.
Every purchase and every conversation can play a part in creating a fairer future. By supporting fair pay locally and globally, we can help build an economy that works better for everyone.
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Did you know, there's no opting out of having a licence in Oxford if you are a landlord? 🪪✅
Four years ago, we introduced our citywide Selective Licensing Scheme, making Oxford one of the few places in the country where every privately rented home must be licensed.
Councillor Mike Rowley, Cabinet Member for Regulation of the Private Rented Sector and Preventing Homelessness, explains how standards in the private rental sector are rising across Oxford, and how we will continue working with good landlords while taking action where homes or management fall short.
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Community Response Team to hold regular sessions at Barton Neighbourhood Centre đź‘‹đź“Ť
Residents in Barton can now speak directly to our Community Response Team at regular fortnightly drop-in sessions at Barton Neighbourhood Centre.
The Community Response Team works with partners and local people to help tackle environmental anti-social behaviour and neighbourhood issues. This could include concerns such as fly-tipping, waste in gardens, noise complaints and other concerns impacting local people.
The drop-in sessions will make it easier for residents to get advice, raise concerns, and talk through issues in an informal setting. Whether you want to report an issue, seek guidance or simply discuss concerns affecting your neighbourhood, the team will be available to help, with a safe space to talk and a cup of tea or coffee on offer.
The next drop-in session will be taking place on Thursday (1 October) from 12-2pm. From Tuesday 6 October, drop-in sessions will be taking place every other Tuesday.
 Sounds of the City: LIVE events programme 🎤🎶
Local artists will take centre stage at the Museum of Oxford (MOX) this autumn as part of the Sounds of the City: LIVE events programme, launching next month.Â
Building on the success of the museum's Sounds of the City exhibition, the programme features intimate live music performances, lunchtime talks, walking tours, a film screening and family workshops between October and December.Â
Sounds of the City is an exhibition of objects, memorabilia, and stories celebrating Oxford's music scene, highlighting iconic bands, gigs, grassroots venues, festivals, and independent record labels that have shaped Oxford's sound.Â
The events featured in the include:Â
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(Friday 2 October): Music from Mick Quinn’s DB Band and Emma HunterÂ
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(Saturday 17 October): Produced in collaboration with Unlock the Chains CollectiveÂ
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(Saturday 24 October): Followed by Jon Spira in conversation with Dave GilyeatÂ
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(Friday 30 October): Mount St. Helen solo and Dolly MaviesÂ
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(Friday 6 November): Premium Leisure and Robin Bennett & friendsÂ
- Mount St. Helen at Modern Art Oxford (Friday 4 December): Performance at Open Call Preview PartyÂ
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(Friday 11 December): Produced in collaboration with Cities and MemoryÂ
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(Monday 21 December): Hands-on family workshop with Oli Steadman from StornowayÂ
- Lunchtime talks & walking tours (Various dates): Led by local historians, exploring Oxford’s music historyÂ
The Sounds of the City exhibition is on display at the Museum of Oxford in Oxford Town Hall until 13 March 2027.
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Where to turn for cost-of-living support in Oxford
It costs too much to live in Oxford. Everyone knows that. However, there are many organisations that are here to help in times of need.
In the video below, Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council, visits Barton Neighbourhood Centre, one of eight food larders that we help fund across the city.
At the bottom of this email you'll find links to a wide range of cost-of-living support, from free advice centres, to low-cost food larders, mental health support, and more.
We want to hear your views 📢
Oxford City Council is consulting on whether to vary, extend or remove Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) relating to:
- alcohol-related disorder
- the control of dogs
- fire setting in restricted areas
We would like to hear about your experiences of these issues, including whether and how they have affected you. Your feedback will help us decide whether the existing Orders should be varied, extended or removed.
The consultation is now open and will run until 16 October 2026. More information about Public Spaces Protection Orders can be found on our website.
Oxfordshire Falls Prevention Week 2026: Stay Steady, Stay Safe
Have you or someone you know had a fall? Did you know that Oxfordshire has a dedicated NHS Falls Prevention Team?
They're here to help you stay safe, creating a personalised risk management plan to help reduce falls, build confidence and independence. The team can provide a one-off assessment for:
- Medication and blood pressure reviews
- Bone health assessment
- Home safety checks and referrals to Home Improvement Agencies or strength and balance classes
This Oxfordshire Falls Prevention Week, it's time to take action for your health and wellbeing. Visit the Falls Prevention Service website or call 01865 903750, seven days a week from 8am to 8pm.
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Traffic filter trial starts next week đźš—
Oxfordshire County Council’s traffic filter trial will start on Monday 28 September, replacing the temporary congestion charge as a way to reduce traffic in the city. This follows Network Rail’s reopening of Botley Road earlier this month.Â
The traffic filter trial will operate in a similar way to the temporary congestion charge, with the filters being at the same six locations and a permit scheme in place. The trial, under an experimental traffic regulation order, can last for up to a maximum of 18 months.
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Neighbourhood Board meetings for the Leys Pride in Place project are your chance to meet the Neighbourhood Board, learn more about the programme, and ask your questions. The event is free to attend, and refreshments are included.
What is Leys Pride in Place programme?
The Pride in Place Programme see ÂŁ20 million of funding and support given to Greater Leys over the next 10 years to make long-term improvements that residents want.
To do this, the Leys Neighbourhood Board will be producing a 10 year vision for Greater Leys, to help deliver the improvements that matter the most to local people – from pavements, to investing in culture and green spaces. This is your chance to meet the Neighbourhood Board, and get involved.
Did you know that around one in three electric blankets tested last year were found to be unsafe? Join us for a free electric blanket safety check and help keep your home safe this winter.
Enjoy free tea and coffee, meet local services, and get advice from the Home Improvement Agency team on staying safe and independent at home.
To book, you can call: 01865 519800, email: duty.officer@oxfordshire.gov.uk or book online service.oxfordshire.gov.uk/blankettesting
The UN Older People’s Day is a popular, annual networking event organised by the Oxford 50+ Network with the support of Oxford City Council.
It offers the opportunity for a wide range of organisations (both statutory, and local voluntary), along with advice, support, and information networks, to share valuable information about their work, and to promote activities of interest to older people and their families.
In addition to stalls to visit, there will be: a Digital Support Room, two public talks – "Scams Awareness & Prevention" and "Reducing the Risk" – and a Music & Movement or Seated Exercise taster session.
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OX Place, our wholly owned housing company, is holding a public exhibition on the plans to transform the former landfill site at Redbridge Paddock into a new riverside neighbourhood development.
The exhibition opened yesterday (23 September) at St Luke’s Church in Canning Crescent (OX1 4XB) and is open until 8pm this evening (24 September). If you're reading this before 8pm – we're grateful! If you're reading after 8pm, don't worry, the exhibition is also online at www.redbridgeoxford.co.uk.
Feedback from the consultation will be considered as the proposals are developed, ahead of an outline planning application expected to be submitted later in 2026.
Oxford City Council is developing its new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy Action Plan. Our aim is to help create a fairer Oxford where everyone has the opportunity to participate, contribute and thrive.
Oxford City Council is consulting on whether to vary, extend or remove Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) relating to alcohol-related disorder, the control of dogs, and fire setting in restricted areas.
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Advice centres
Advice centres offer free, confidential and impartial advice on debt, employment and housing problems.
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Help with food costs
Information about community fridges, food parcels, food banks and support groups.
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Help with housing
Support for people in privately rented homes, council housing, with mortgages, and those facing homelessness.
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Help with energy costs
Government grants are available to help improve the energy efficiency of your home.
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Mental health support
Going through financial difficulties is extremely stressful, but you are not alone.
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Help with other costs
Including NHS prescriptions and health costs, and mobile phones and broadband.
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Stay Connected:
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@OxfordCityCouncil
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@oxfordcitycouncil
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@oxfordcitycouncil
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