The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), in partnership with Regen, has released the UK’s most comprehensive suite of guidance on integrating energy planning and town planning. The suite will help planners and other decision makers navigate in a fast-changing policy landscape, and calls for urgent national policy changes to empower local authorities to deliver net zero.
While national climate ambitions are high, new research shows that the Government’s climate ambitions will remain out of reach without effective planning at the local level.
Local authorities are at the forefront of climate delivery, but they are often held back by limited resources, uncertain mandates, and fragmented strategies at the national level.
Current laws require local plans to contribute to the achievement of net zero, but this obligation is too weak to drive real change. The RTPI is calling for this requirement to become statutory and enforceable, with:
- A clear legal duty for all local plans to be net zero compliant with nationally defined, enforceable criteria
- Clear guidance for integrating energy planning with town planning
- Central government support for training, resources, and data-sharing
The research also underscores the vital role of public engagement. The RTPI and Demos recently found that 67% of the public are "Maybe In My Backyard" (MIMBYs) – supportive of new housing and infrastructure if consulted and involved.
Energy planning can be a gateway to meaningful engagement, helping to build trust and reduce opposition to low-carbon developments. Yet, community involvement remains inconsistent in energy plans delivered to date. The research calls for defined community engagement standards in energy planning, building trust and fostering support for energy projects.
Dr Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of the RTPI, said: “While the Government’s clean energy ambitions are on the right track, they ultimately risk falling short if they cannot be delivered, or face too much resistance at the local level.
“Local planners can help alleviate this pressure, and are ready to deliver, but they need the tools and policy clarity to align ambition with reality.”
Dr Rebecca Windemer, planning lead at Regen said: ‘ With much attention currently on planning reform to achieve Clean Power 2030, it’s vital that policymakers understand the strategic importance of aligning energy and spatial planning and providing the necessary support to local authorities.’