Government reveals latest plans to reduce carbon emissions through a revised planning system
13 December 2006: Solarcentury, the UK's leading solar energy company, specialising in innovation in building integrated photovoltaics, welcomes today's anticipated announcement from the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Ruth Kelly, on a package of measures aimed at tackling climate change through the planning system. Solarcentury believes this is a positive move towards low carbon planning - but will likely be less ambitious than is required to tackle the scale of the climate change problem.
The measures are expected to include: A new national Planning Policy Statement (PPS) on climate change. The new PPS is expected to instruct planning authorities to have a much more positive attitude to projects that cut carbon dioxide emissions. Solarcentury would welcome such a move.
The Government is also expected to unveil a new Code for Sustainable Homes. This is expected to recommend steps that house builders should take to reduce the impact that new homes have on the environment, including climate change. Ruth Kelly http://parliamenttoday.com/members/displaycontact.html?id=2931> is also likely to say that she wants all new homes to be carbon zero in ten years time. This is the initiative flagged up by Gordon Brown http://parliamenttoday.com/members/displaycontact.html?id=3130 in his Pre Budget Report.
Solarcentury says that to be effective the new Code for Sustainable Homes must be mandatory and should also apply to commercial buildings. Furthermore, carbon zero homes could be built now, so we should not have to wait 10 years before this becomes a compulsory requirement for all new homes.
Dr Jeremy Leggett, CEO of Solarcentury, said: "Of course we welcome any positive moves towards low carbon building but you have to wonder why the Government needs ten years when the technology is available and in use right now. And why is the Government concentrating on new homes when 40% of UK carbon emissions come from existing homes and commercial buildings. We feel strongly that the Government should be making it easier and cheaper for everyone to go green immediately."He added: "Photovoltaic technology is a widely available clean energy solution that is both very effective and requires little ongoing attention. Our 500 plus systems across UK businesses, homes, schools and offices will be reducing C02 emissions by more than 25,000 tonnes over the next 20 years, and we stand ready to do many more such installations."
