Calls for planning to help combat climate change

All new regional and local development plans should be "climate proofed" with binding carbon reduction targets and incorporate adaptation measures to help communities deal with flood risk and other impacts of climate change, leading conservation campaigners have urged.

The call has come from the Town and Country Planning Association and Friends of the Earth, following the launch of a 'mock' planning policy statement on climate change ahead of the government's promised draft new guidance, due for publication shortly.

The group's draft PPS 26 is supported by some 20 experts, business and campaign groups and argues that Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS) should set out the principles for low and zero-carbon development and actively promote low and zero-carbon energy sources.

Local planning authorities would then set targets within the RSS framework, using the Local Development Framework (LDF).

TCPA chief executive Gideon Amos said: "Climate change is no longer an environmental issue; it is a global imperative. 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."

Hugh Ellis, from Friends of the Earth, added: "Tough new rules are needed to reduce the impact that regional and local developments have on climate change. The development industry needs a clear trajectory, up to and including mid-century, setting milestone targets for cross-sector carton dioxide reduction."

The mock PPS 26 was unveiled at a Labour Party conference fringe meeting in Manchester.

A DCLG spokesperson agreed the planning system has to do its bit to cut carbon emissions and meet the challenge of climate change, by promoting public transport, using renewable energy and in how we plan our housing.

He added: "The new planning guidance will make clear that local authorities must make reducing carbon emissions a priority, and will build on existing policy which already says local and regional plans should reduce carbon emissions and energy use.

"Local authorities can also now insist on renewable energy for large developments, and we will shortly consult on greater rights for householders to install small wind turbines and other renewbale technologies in their homes without planning permission."

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More information about the Town and Country Planning Association

Roger Milne

29 September 2006