The Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) have come together to produce a guide which helps planners, politicians and communities tackle climate change through the planning system.
They say that the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) contains ambitious policies on climate change but on-the-ground delivery remains slow, largely because of a lack of practical advice and support to local councils on how to secure a radical reduction in carbon emissions.
Government guidance has also been weak on adapting to climate change, particularly in relation to addressing issues such as heat waves and sea-level rises, according to the two organisations.
The guide, ‘Planning for Climate Change – a Guide for Local Authorities’, was launched on Wednesday 16th May 2018 by Caroline Lucas MP. It provides an overview of policy and legislation which can be used to address climate change at a local level, overcoming the barriers faced by many local authorities in England
TCPA director of policy, Hugh Ellis, said: ‘A resilient and sustainable future is achievable, but only if we act now.
‘This guide sends a powerful message to councils and planners that we can meet the climate challenge.’
