Green finance, local impact: investing in the future of farming, nature, and climate resilience in Oxfordshire
A healthy, thriving natural environment underpins every part of our society and economy - from clean air and water to climate resilience and food production. But nature is in long-term decline. Oxfordshire is determined to change that.
Our county has set out a shared vision for restoring biodiversity, improving landscapes and supporting communities to thrive inharmony with the natural world in the new Oxfordshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).
The Oxfordshire Nature Recovery Fund (ONReF) is a vital tool to help us get there, providing finance for the priority projects in the LNRS.
Oxford University estimates that our county faces an £800 million shortfall in funding for nature recovery. New “nature markets” - where ecosystem services like carbon storage and biodiversity uplift generate revenue - offer a powerful solution. But these markets remain underdeveloped, especially for smaller-scale and community-led initiatives.
We connect local lenders with local landowners, farmers, and enterprises, helping them unlock the potential of nature markets. We offer patient loans to support the upfront costs of projects that deliver measurable environmental benefits - and generate long-term income through the sale of biodiversity and carbon credits.
When those credits are sold, loans are repaid, and the capital is re-lent to new projects. It's a circular model designed to keep finance flowing into Oxfordshire’s land, climate and communities.
This is a sub-commercial offer: we're not aiming for double-digit returns. Instead, we’re focused on fair, transparent lending that helps landowners participate in nature markets and ensures as much funding as possible goes into delivering real-world nature outcomes.
Investing in ONReF delivers multiple benefits:
Green growth – Tap into emerging nature markets and position your business at the forefront of local green innovation. Help make Oxfordshire a national leader in nature-positive enterprise.
Jobs - Back the growth of countryside jobs through nature-based projects - from land management to biodiversity monitoring - creating new opportunities across Oxfordshire.
Reduce business risks – Invest in natural solutions that build climate resilience, including flood prevention, cleaner air, and support for sustainable local energy systems.
Carbon and biodiversity offsetting – Meet your environmental obligations while boosting the availability and impact of high-quality, locally generated carbon and biodiversity credits.
Staff health and wellbeing – Contribute to the landscapes and green spaces that support the wellbeing of your staff, customers and community - today and into the future.
CSR/ESG reporting – Demonstrate local impact and align with national goals for biodiversity and climate, helping you report clearly on environmental and social responsibility.
ONReF is ideal for:
Local lenders and institutions looking for cost-neutral, high-impact ways to meet CSR goals.
Impact-focused financiers seeking measurable environmental and social returns.
Farmers and landowners looking to diversify, build resilience and be part of Oxfordshire’s nature-positive future.
ONReF is a partnership between the Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment (TOE) and the Oxfordshire Local Nature Partnership (OLNP). It is supported by Oxfordshire County Council, with advisory services provided by Great Yellow.
Our partners bring decades of experience and innovation in nature finance - including delivery of the UK’s first biodiversity offset back in 2014.
Join us in growing a nature-positive Oxfordshire
Whether you're looking to provide finance, apply for funding, or just find out more, we’d love to hear from you.
Loans are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. As a result, you will not have the protections afforded to borrowers under regulated credit agreements. Please ensure you understand the terms and risks before proceeding.