‘The planning system plays a vital role in cutting carbon and preparing us for the impacts of climate change.’
A group of planning and environmental organisations have issued an urgent call to Government to put the climate crisis at the heart of all planning decisions. The statement, issued in the run up to the crucial COP conference in Glasgow, highlights the power of planning to promote renewable energy, restrict fossil fuels and design places to reduce energy use and promote walking and cycling. It also highlights the lack of priority given to climate change in existing planning policy and calls on the Secretary of State, Michael Gove, to urgently issue a ministerial statement to prioritise both net zero and tackling flooding and overheating.
Dr Hugh Ellis, Director of Policy at the TCPA, said ‘The planning system plays a vital role in cutting carbon and preparing us for the impacts of climate change. The Committee on Climate Change is advocating a strong focus on effective planning to deliver the action we need. But the current English planning system is not delivering on its positive potential to tackle the climate crisis. This briefing sets out the problem and shows how an urgent ministerial statement can seize the opportunity of a resilient, net zero future.’
