Archived press release

Regional and local development plans must be 'climate proofed'

25 September 2006

New regional and local development plans must be `climate proofed' with binding carbon dioxide reduction targets and adaptation measures to help communities withstand extreme climate impacts including flood risk, the Town and Country Planning Association and Friends of the Earth said today.

The organisations call comes in a `mock' planning policy statement (PPS) on climate change published today (Mon 25), ahead of the first Government draft due later this year and is supported by more than 20 experts, businesses and campaign groups.

It says Regional Spatial Strategies (RSSs) should set out the principles for low and zero-carbon development and actively promote low and zero-carbon energy sources. This in turn will help stimulate technological innovation, and should not be seen as an inflexible prohibition on development. Local Development Frameworks can then set targets within the RSS framework.

TCPA Chief Executive Gideon Amos said:

"Climate change is no longer an environmental issue; it is a global imperative with consequences for the national economy and social security. We need to make lifestyle changes now, and on a huge scale, which means we all have a part to play.

"It doesn't all come down to planning, but planners can make a hugely positive contribution towards moving us towards a zero-carbon future and helping us adapt to harmful impacts such as flood risk, drought and heat waves."

Friends of the Earth campaigner on Planning Hugh Ellis said:

"As well a new climate law called for in our Big Ask campaign, tough new rules are needed to reduce the impact that regional and local developments have on climate change. The industry needs a clear trajectory, up to and including mid-century, setting milestone targets for cross-sector carbon dioxide reduction."

Notes

Today's statement follows a six-month consultation mimicking the Government's usual process.

The discussion paper was published today (Monday 25) at a Labour Party conference fringe meeting organised by TCPA and FoE.

The Planning for Climate Change campaign was launched one year ago when TCPA and FoE called for more Government action to promote the role of the planning system in combating climate change. In response, the Government announced plans to produce a new planning policy statement on climate change. The first draft is due in winter, which campaigners fear may be too late to influence Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS's) and Local Development Frameworks (LDF's), which are currently being drawn up.

RSS's and LDF's should play a central role in developing strategic responses to climate change, the paper argues. It sets out how the new PPS will be well-placed to establish CO2 reduction targets in regional and local plans. Target-setting is already established in national policy, and the EU SEA Directive requires the collection of the necessary baseline data.

In this way the new PPS can enable the preparation of climate change policy to proceed through logical stages that address both mitigation and adaptation. This would range through the following five stages:

• establishing baseline data (on CO2 emissions and vulnerability to climate impacts);
• detailed analysis of new policy options (again for both);
• target-setting (to reduce CO2, and `climate proof');
• policy action; and
• monitoring and review.

Through this coordinated approach the aim is to create a clear long-term sense of direction for communities, businesses and other stakeholders.The following organizations have endorsed the draft PPS:

Acclimatize, Beck Mittle Hydro ltd, Butterfly Conservation, CPRE, Combined Heat and Power Association, Council for British Archaeology, Council for National Parks, Friends of the Earth, Futerra, green alliance, Greenpeace, The Herpetological Conservation Trust, Local Government Association, The National Trust, OISD, Places for People, The Ramblers, RSPB, RTPI, Sheppard Robson, Town and Country Planning Association, Vale Royal Borough Council, Wildlife Trusts.

The Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) is an independent campaigning charity calling for more integrated planning based on the principles of accessibility, sustainability, diversity, and community cohesion. The TCPA puts social justice and the environment at the heart of the debate about planning policy, housing and energy supply. We inspire government, industry and campaigners to take a fresh perspective on major issues including climate change and regeneration. Join the TCPA by visiting www.tcpa.org.uk

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