A HEAT-sharing network in Oxford could help reduce the city's CO2 emissions by tens of thousands of tonnes.

That is the finding of a new study, which suggest creating multi-million pound pipelines between major buildings in Headington.

They would link up sites owned by the city's universities and the hospitals trust, allowing them to share heating and hot water.

Three options put forward could save between 18,000 and 64,000 tonnes of CO2 over 20 years, the study commissioned by Oxford City Council found.

Jo Colwell, the council's environmental sustainability manager, said the council wanted a 40 per cent reduction in carbon emissions by 2020.

She added: "Across the city, a range of organisations have signed up to this ambitious target.

"City council operations are only one per cent of the city’s footprint, so it needs proactive work with partners to explore renewable and low-carbon energy generation within parts of the city.

"This is part of the long term vision to bring about a sustainable city."

Of the three options suggested by the study, the 'Headington West' scheme has been recommended because it allows the most potential for expansion.

The 2.8km network of pipelines would link several of Oxford Brookes University and Headington School's buildings with an energy centre at the Warneford Hospital, owned by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust.

If a biomass system is used, the study said it would cost £10m and save 49,000 tonnes of CO2 over 20 years.

Once the system is up and running, 'option 2' – a scheme linking Oxford Brookes University student blocks – could be joined to the network and other areas could follow.

The study added: "A full development of Headington could lead to an expansion towards the city centre or Oxford University Science Area.

"This could improve air quality in the city centre through relocation of emissions."

A spokesman for the city council said it helped fund the study but it was now up to landowners to take forward its recommendations.

It comes as a separate £15m pipeline project to link the heating systems of the John Radcliffe and Churchill hospitals is nearing completion.

Works in residential areas of Headington finished on May 5 and remaining work – largely at the Churchill – is due to be finished on May 22.