Archived press release

Government to unveil plans to tackle climate change through the planning system

12 December 2006

Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Ruth Kelly is expected to reveal a package of measures tomorrow (Wednesday 13 December) aimed at tackling climate change through the planning system. Friends of the Earth said that the anticipated announcement is likely to be a step in the right direction - but will probably be significantly less ambitious than required.

The measures are expected to include:

• A new national Planning Policy Statement (PPS) [1] on climate change

  The new PPS is expected to instruct planning authorities to have a much more positive attitude to projects - such as wind farms - that cut carbon dioxide emissions.

  Friends of the Earth would welcome such a move, but is calling on the Government to tell planning authorities that developments that significantly increase emissions can be refused on climate change grounds. Last month Uttlesford District Council in Essex, cited climate change as one of the reasons for turning down an application by BAA to increase passenger numbers at Stansted airport [2].

• A new Code for Sustainable Homes

  The Government is expected to unveil a new Code for Sustainable Homes. This is expected to recommend steps that house builders should take to reduce the impact that new homes have on the environment, including climate change. Ruth Kelly is also likely to say that she wants all new homes to be carbon zero [3] in ten years time. This is the initiative flagged up by Gordon Brown in his Pre Budget Report.

  Friends of the Earth says that to be effective the new Code for Sustainable Homes must be mandatory and should also apply to commercial buildings. Furthermore, carbon zero homes could be built now, so we should not have to wait 10 years before this becomes a compulsory requirement for all new homes.

Friends of the Earth's Planning Advisor Hugh Ellis said:

"The planning system has a crucial role to play in reducing UK carbon dioxide emissions. This is why planning authorities must be pushed towards giving the go ahead to safe, sustainable schemes such as windfarms. But they should also be encouraged to reject. applications that significantly impact on global climate change too.

"The technology already exists to make new homes carbon zero. We need mandatory regulations to ensure that all new homes are built to the highest environmental standards. And this should happen within months, not years."

"Existing homes and buildings are responsible for around 40 per cent of UK carbon dioxide emissions. Unfortunately the Government is doing little to cut these emissions. Gordon Brown's Pre Budget Report should have made it easier and cheaper for people to go green. There is still time to tackle climate change. But the Government must show leadership on this issue and come forward with the policies to develop a low-carbon economy."

Friends of the Earth suggested a number of measures to the Chancellor to make it easier and cheaper for householders to cut carbon dioxide emissions
www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/ ¬
chancellor_must_tackle_cli_29112006.html

Friends of the Earth has led the campaign for a new law to tackle climate change through The Big Ask climate campaign. Nearly two thirds of MPs, all the main political opposition parties and a huge coalition of organisations are calling for legislation requiring annual cuts in UK carbon dioxide emissions. The Government announced that it will introduce a climate change law in the Queen's Speech and is currently consulting on its details. See www.thebigask.com

Notes

1. Planning Policy Statements (PPS) set out the Government's national policies on different aspects of land use planning in England. Planning Policy Statements must be taken into account by regional planning bodies in the preparation of regional spatial strategies, by the Mayor of London in relation to the spatial development strategy in London and by local planning authorities in the preparation of local development documents. They may also be material to decisions on individual planning applications.

2. www.uttlesford.gov.uk/news/stansted+airport+application+ ¬
unanimously+refused.htm

3. A carbon zero home is one that can be run without producing net carbon emissions over the course of a year.

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust