Tackling climate change is a key Government priority for the planning system (Planning and Climate Change Supplement to PPS1, 2007, p1).
Local planning authorities should ensure development plans address the problem of climate change (PPS1 para. 13[ii]; para. 20)
Community involvement is extremely important in tackling climate change (Securing the future – UK Government sustainable development strategy, p118) (Sustainable Energy By Design, p14).
The issue of public understanding of climate change should be tackled (Taking Forward Action for Sustainability: An Action Plan for the North West 2003-2006, pg 46).
Salford City Council has signed up to the Nottingham Declaration which aims to work towards reducing emissions and requires local authorities to work with the community to develop an action plan to tackle climate change at a local level (Energy Savings Trust)
Local authorities in England will have a strengthened role to play in tackling climate change through measures in the new Local Government Performance Framework; and be able to use the new self-assessment tools to evaluate their own performance and provide guidance for improvement on tackling climate change (Energy White Paper, 2007, para 9.24).
Effective monitoring and review is essential in securing responsive action to tackle climate change(Planning and Climate Change Supplement to PPS1, 2007, para.34).
Vision – a low carbon and well adapted northwest by 2020 (Rising to the Challenge, p6)
REDUCING CONTRIBUTIONS (Also see Energy, Air Quality, Design and construction and Transport)
Limit emissions of a basket of six greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide; methane; nitrous oxide; fluorinated gases (hydro fluorocarbons, per hydrocarbons, sulphur hexafluoride)(Kyoto Protocol)
Reduce emissions and adapt to climate change (RSS Policy DP1)(MCRSS, para 5.17) (PPS1, para 20) (PPS23, Appendix A, p11-12) (Action for Sustainability: The Programme for Integrating Sustainable Development Across the North West, pg 20).
Limit climate change and increase the use of clean energy (A sustainable Europe for a better world p.10)
Stabilise atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases at a level that will not cause unnatural variations of the earths climate - Achieve 8% reduction in emissions of green gases by 2008-2012 compared to 1990 levels (EU Sixth Environmental Action Plan p.5)
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the UK’s Kyoto Commitment, by 12.5% from 1990 levels in 2008-2012 (Kyoto Protocol – overall target for a 5% reduction over the same period)(Energy White Paper, para 2.14) (Defra PSA 2, DTI PSA 4, DfT PSA 8 cited Securing the future - UK government sustainable development strategy, pg 168)
Move towards a 20% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 1990 levels by 2010 (Energy White Paper, para 2.14) (Defra PSA 2, DTI PSA 4, DfT PSA 8 cited Securing the future - UK government sustainable development strategy, pg 168)(Manchester is my Planet Climate Change Pledge).
Deliver CO2 reductions of around 60% by 2050 (Energy White Paper, para 1.10).
Major development proposals will be required to demonstrate how they will minimise greenhouse gas emissions (UDP, Policy ST14)
Priority areas for local authorities to decrease greenhouse gas emissions are transport and energy generation (EU Sixth Environment Action Plan p.5).
The adoption of sustainable design and construction methods are needed to contribute towards the effort to reduce climate change (RSS, para 9.4).
The planning system needs to support the delivery of the timetable for reducing carbon emissions from domestic and non-domestic buildings (Planning and Climate Change Supplement to PPS1, 2007, para.8).
In developing their core strategy and supporting local development documents, planning authorities should provide a framework that promotes and encourages renewable and low-carbon energy generation. Policies should be designed to promote and not restrict renewable and low-carbon energy and supporting infrastructure(Planning and Climate Change Supplement to PPS1, 2007, para.19).
Planning authorities should have an evidence-based understanding of the local feasibility and potential for renewable and low-carbon technologies, including microgeneration, to supply new development in their area(Planning and Climate Change Supplement to PPS1, 2007, para.26).
Reforestation in the Atlantic Gateway has the potential to act as a carbon sink (Atlantic Gateway p24)