Climate Change

21-Mar-12

Through our 7 commitments on climate change the RTPI promotes a positive and realistic response to the challenges of climate change.

latest news

RTPI Planning Awards 2011 winner Low Carbon Bath by Centre for Sustainable Energy (working with the Bath Preservation Trust) sought to find acceptable ways to reduce domestic carbon use, providing better heated and insulated homes, without jeopardising Bath’s historic environment and its World Heritage Status.
The UK Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA) is the first assessment of its kind for the UK and the first in a 5 year cycle. Defra have asked businesses, civil society and local government to develop the Programme to maintain the resilience of the UK to climate change and changing weather by contributing an innovative method, or a small change that would make a big difference.

Policy changes and consultations

The Government response to the Permitted development rights for small scale renewable and low carbon energy technologies, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure consultation has widened the number of small-scale renewable energy technologies classed as permitted development (March 2012).

There are currently no climate change consultations the RTPI is responding to. View all Open consultations or email Policy Team.

Practice

Local authorities, bug society and adaptation to climate change - LGiU (Sept 2011). Project that looked at existing toolkits to support community involvement in local adaptation and how they can take forward big society work in promoting adaptation to climate change.
Planning and Climate Change Guide: guidance and model policies for local authorities - TCPA, in conjunction with the RTPI. Aims to help LAs and LEPs who want to both tackle climate change and reap the benefits that renewable energy and effective adaptation can bring. An updated version is due following the Budget 2012.
Signposting to more climate change practice advice.

Networks

We have a number of Networks for people with a specialist interest within planning. Climate change is applicable to all aspects of planning. Join a Network.

RTPI Projects and Research

Our Seven Commitments on Climate Change demonstrate the importance we place on tackling climate change.
The RTPI is a member of the cross-sector Planning and Climate Change Coalition, led by TCPA.
ESPON Climate - will develop indicators on the impact of climate change on regional and local economies and infrastructures. Planning Research and Climate Change - gives details on latest research and RTPI partners.
The RTPI is developing an e-learning online project. One of the first topics being covered is climate change.

Our viewpoint

We believe that policies that promote climate change mitigation and adaptation need to be mainstreamed into general planning policy. It is important not to rely on new development to ensure a sustainable global future, because existing places generate the majority of carbon emissions, resource and energy use. It is necessary to adapt these places to achieve sustainable development and to ensure that planning supports and encourages these changes.

More information/events/cpd

Sustainable Construction and Renewable Energy Production, by RTPI South West in St Austell, 18 May. Other RTPI climate change events are planned.
Get involved. Email practice@rtpi.org.uk.