The RTPI launched our Seven Commitments on Planning to Live with Climate Change at our annual Planning Convention in June 2009. Since then staff and members have been busy working towards delivering on the ambitious action plan we set ourselves. There is still a lot of work to be done, but this page highlights the progress we have made so far. 

Click on the links below for more information.

If you have comments or want to get involved email us at practice@rtpi.org.uk.

Promote behavioural change

• The RTPI Planning Convention 2009, with the theme "Planning in a Changing Climate" launched the RTPI's Seven Commitments on planning to live with climate change. A full report, including presentations and details of the plenary discussions is available.
• The RTPI is a member of the Planning and Climate Change Coalition representing a wide range of environmental and associated organisations. The Coalition has published a position statement.
• Richard Summers, RTPI Senior Vice President represents the RTPI on the London Council’s roundtable on "developing a manifesto for Londoners to fight climate change at the local level", and he is also involved in the Local Action on Climate Change initiative led by the Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homes (EEPH).
• All actions, proposals, programmes, resource costs and initiatives in pursuit of any of the objectives outlined in the new RTPI Corporate Strategy 2010-2014 (pdf) will need to meet seven cross-cutting tests, which include sustainability and adapting to, and mitigating against climate change.
• The RTPI Manifesto for Planning: Shaping the Future summarises the RTPI's position on the leading issues facing planning; and shows how a government committed to addressing climate change can enable communities to help shape better places to live and work through effective spatial planning.

  Adapt existing places

• RTPI Cymru's Spring Conference: Planning for Flooding held on 28th April in Llandudno  proved to be a real success in building up key links and raising the profile of planners in addressing flood risk issues. The Director of the Environment Agency Wales stated that “"we can no longer build our way out of the problem." Details of the proceedings of the conference are available.
• RTPI involvement in research projects includes support for ESPON CLIMATE (climate change and territorial effects on regions and local economies in Europe), and membership of the steering group for ARCADIA (adaptation and resilience in cities: analysis and decision-making using integrated assessment)  which aims to improve understanding to design cities that are more resilient and adaptable. The suburban neighbourhood adaptation for a changing climate (SNACC) project focuses on the adaptation of suburban neighbourhoods.
• The RTPI was a partner organisation in the World Town Planning Day online conference "examining resilience in a changing climate" in November 2009. Planners from around the world highlighted why their town, city or planning system will be resilient to climate change.
• As a way of marking World Town Planning Day RTPI Scotland gathered together international perspectives on climate change and describes climate change issues of particular countries and the  approaches being taken.
• The RTPI celebrated the UK launch of the UN-HABITAT Global Report on Human Settlements at the Houses of Parliament in November 2009. The report examines the contributions planning can make to creating settlements that are democratic and environmentally sustainable. Speakers included Dr Naison Mutizwa-Mangiza, Chief Policy Analyst, UN-HABITAT. A report of the event is available.
• The RTPI held an event with the National Trust in Snowdonia that looked at "sustainable historic buildings: balancing protection with the future" where issues around adapting and mitigating historic buildings to climate change were discussed.
• As part of its programme of contact with ARL, the German Academy of Spatial Research and Regional Planning, British and German academics and practitioners met in January 2010 for a post Copenhagen review of planning and climate change. A report of the event is available.

Work towards responsive legislation and policies

• The RTPI is in regular discussion with government departments as new policies are in development.
• A full and wide ranging engagement took place with our membership to formulate responses to the  draft National Policy Statements (NPSs). The first set of draft NPSs released were: Overarching Energy, Fossil Fuels, Renewable Energy, Oil and Gas (Pipelines), Networks (Electricity), and Nuclear Power.
• The RTPI responded to the draft Climate Change Planning Policy Statement (PPS) and the draft Natural and Healthy Environment PPS. No date for the publication of either PPS has been set. 
• Open consultations relating to climate change where the RTPI is seeking input from members into our response include, Environmental Permitting Regulations on carbon capture and storage by 29 October and the Microgeneration Strategy by 22 November.

Improve current practice

• A successful meeting of the RTPI Networks and Associations climate change champions took place in May. Each person at the meeting made a pledge of one thing they would do to drive forward the climate change agenda. A report from the event is available.
• RTPI Scotland have assisted the Energy Saving Trust with the re-draft of their guidance "Sustainable Energy in the Built Environment: Best Practice for Scottish Planners". 
• A model developed by RTPI Cymru for training on sustainable transport was rolled out by the Design Commission for Wales during the summer. It covered transport assessments and Manual for Streets. RTPI Cymru, along with CILT and IHT supported the training.
• Throughout 2010 each of the RTPI’s Regions and Nations conference and CPD programmes have been extending the RTPI's work on planning to live with climate change. Forthcoming events include Naturally Resilient Cities by RTPI London on 12 October and Is Low Carbon Sustainable Development Possible? by RTPI East of England on 21 October. Details of all forthcoming events are available from our events calendar.
•  "Planning for climate change: strategies for mitigation and adaptation for spatial planners" was co-edited by Simin Davoudi, Jenny Crawford (RTPI Head of Research) and Abid Mehmood and published in August 2009. It sets out the challenges that climate change raises for planners, it explores current and potential responses and provides an overview of emerging practice.
• RTPI Cymru organised training on "Planning for climate change: delivering sustainable buildings and quality design" to support the roll out of new policy and guidance about planning for sustainable buildings during May 2009.

 Celebrate Best Practice

• Five winners and commendations from the RTPI Planning Awards 2009 provide excellent examples of planning best practice in relation to tackling climate change, including One Brighton and London Rivers Action Plan. Planning Awards: Celebrating Best Practice gives details of all the winners.
• Site visits to assist the judging of the RTPI Planning Awards 2010 have been taking place over the summer using an amended criteria including "How the submission adapts to, or mitigates against the threats posed by climate change, as raised in the RTPI’s seven commitments on climate change".
• These new judging criteria are being rolled out to be used for all RTPI national, regional and network awards.

Compile a Compendium of Best Practice

• The Climate Change Compendium signposts to key web sites, documents and case studies giving practice advice and supporting information on climate change has been extensively updated and extended. Visit the webpage for the latest updates.
• To suggest items for inclusion in the compendium of best practice, please email practice@rtpi.org.uk

Develop Climate Change Education and Skills

• Changes to the learning outcomes for initial planning education are being drafted. One of the suggested changes is a more explicit focus on climate change, so that all new graduates from accredited planning schools will have the tools to contribute to the sustainable development agenda.
• As part of the ongoing membership review, the RTPI are examining how evidence of a commitment to tackling climate change can be included within the membership criteria.
• The RTPI is developing an online distance learning CPD resource aimed at planners in practice, due to launch in 2011. The first topic being developed is on planning for climate change.

Author:

policy rtpi

Publisher:

The Royal Town Planning Institute

Date:

22-Sep-09

Categories:

Practice, RTPI Publications 

Sections:

The RTPI

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