Comment

Planning for net zero

The UK Committee on Climate Change (CCC) is a powerful and respected organisation. Their work is thorough, well researched and contains many sound recommendations that we would be very wise to accept.

Last week there was further evidence of their influence as the Government tables new legislation to ensure that the UK makes no contribution to climate change beyond 2050. This is a powerful, globally significant commitment as it means that, beyond 2050, any greenhouse gas emissions from the UK will need to be ‘displaced’ (off set) either at home or abroad.

The CCC report is very clear that major and substantial change is required to our economy by 2050 in order to hit this target, and that it may well cost circa 1-2% of GDP to secure this change. Clearly this is a daunting task, however the CCC are also clear that our existing target of an 80% reduction by 2050 was estimated to cost roughly the same and would also require substantial change. Technology and the pace of change (including cost reductions) allow us to aim higher. This is encouraging as it would suggest that the market is responding to the challenge with innovation and efficiencies. There is also very compelling opportunity here to make the UK a world leader in decarbonisation technology, which could prove invaluable to a post Brexit economy.

This commitment from the Government is based upon the May CCC report which sets out the justification and steps necessary to achieve net zero carbon status by 2050. This is the second report from the CCC this year that has had a major influence upon Government climate change policy, with the February report resulting in the Government committing to the Future Homes Standard in the Chancellor’s Spring Statement.

This announcement by the Government comes at a time when climate change has never been so high on the public and policy agenda (great news!).

On 11 June, Birmingham City Council became the latest major city and local authority to declare a climate emergency with the promise of new planning policy to ensure new development mitigates and adapts to climate change. Birmingham is now the 64th such council to declare a climate emergency although this number has probably increased already.

So what does all this mean for the planning system?

We have already seen major cities such as Bristol and Manchester propose bold new planning frameworks that set net zero carbon targets. For those local authorities that have declared a climate emergency, we are already seeing a marked increase in the scrutiny and expectations of new development. Net zero carbon standards in London have also been required by the GLA  since 2016, extending to commercial development on adoption of the new London Plan.

We have the pleasure to be working on a number of large scale New Community projects across the UK where development may go up to or beyond 2050. For these projects we have some interesting questions to factor into our place shaping; such as at what point do we not need to provide gas to new dwellings as part of our utilities package, or what are the implications of this net zero target and how do we ensure we are both flexible enough to respond to the changing legislation and the undoubtedly rapid evolution of decarbonisation technology such as hydrogen fuels and electric vehicles. Although vital, these technologies do not substitute the need to prioritise walking and cycling and access to the bus and train, as the latter will be absolutely critical as the transport sector decarbonises. The sustainability of a location is fundamental to our future net zero plans…..but then it always was.

If the Government is serious about securing this net zero commitment then this is only the start of changes to our planning system and built environment.

The CCC provides a number of recommendations with respect to our planning system:

1. Cities and local authorities are well placed and have a clear role in the net zero challenge particularly with respect to transport and built environment planning, and not only will this have substantial climate change benefits but will also develop healthy cities by improving air quality.
2. Energy Infrastructure will need huge investment in its energy generating and distribution capability to allow a net zero economy with Carbon Capture and Storage (CSS) now a necessity.
3. Building Regulations and the planning system must evolve to introduce policies to facilitate decarbonisation as soon as possible in both new and existing buildings. A move away from gas heating to heat pump technology is critical but the Government must also provide funding and support for the large scale trial of these technologies.
4. Similarly, the planning system has a key role in strategic planning to ensure that new development has access to sustainable modes of transportation which will bring greater benefits as the transport sector decarbonises.

The scale of future change is quite remarkable, yet at this very time we are seeing clients actively exploring carbon neutrality and the development of net zero carbon buildings following the release of the excellent report from the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC).

If this is just the start then I hope the journey will only get better.

For more information on planning for net zero please contact Colin Morrison.

17 June 2019