Climate change

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

Latest news

• Take the Environment Agency's online survey to help identify Climate Resilience Case Studies.
• The winners of the 2013 BREEAM Awards represent a range of UK and international buildings, from Victorian terrace homes in Manchester and industrial buildings in Wigan, to office and retail developments in Paris, London and Istanbul.
• Presenting the findings of the Green Construction Board's detailed low carbon plan at Ecobuild, Paul Morrell the government's former chief construction adviser has said there is no chance of the built environment delivering its share of the government's legally binding carbon targets without major additional regulation.

• New clauses in the Energy Bill will grant the Government powers to set a 2030 decarbonisation target range for the electricity sector in 2016.

• The Scottish government has launched a 'community benefit register' to give information on the benefits of having renewable energy projects nearby.

Policy changes and consultations

View all open consultations or email Policy Team.

Practice

• Sustainable Design and Construction published by a cross sector group, which RTPI is a member of, assists LPAs in their statutory duty to contribute to sustainable development, of which sustainable design and construction is an integral part.

• BREEAM Communities 2012 helps the design team, developers and planners to improve and measure the sustainability of developments at the neighbourhood scale.

• The District Heating Manual for London is intended to provide practical guidance for developers, network designers and planners with the aim of creating a consistent framework for delivering district heating networks.

• The National House Building Council (NHBC) Foundation guide examines how new homes at risk of overheating because of higher levels of airtightness and increased thermal insulation, can be kept at a comfortable temperature through key aspects of design and specification.

• Planning for climate change: guidance for local authorities - Planning and Climate Change Coalition (RTPI is a member) 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.
• Signposting to more climate change practice advice.

Networks, groups and forums

We have a number of networks, groups and discussion forums 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 weplace on tackling climate change.
• The RTPI is a member of the cross-sector Planning and Climate Change Coalition led by TCPA.
• Planning Research and Climate Change - gives details on latest research and RTPI partners.

• RTPI Scotland have published a paper 'Meeting the 2020 Renewable Energy Targets: Is Planning Part of the Solution?'

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 Buildings Masterclass, 24 April, London. View our events calendar for all upcoming RTPI events.
• Get involved. Email practice@rtpi.org.uk