Construction ‘Blueprint’ To Tackle Climate Emergency

A coalition of leading architects, engineers, and building professionals have launched a new Climate Emergency Design Guide, providing a blueprint for how the construction industry can react to the climate emergency. The guide, published by LETI – the London Energy Transformation Initiative – outlines the requirements of new buildings to ensure climate change targets are met, as well as marking the start of a milestone new phase: a consensus on how to design new buildings. Read more on 24housing.

https://www.24housing.co.uk/news/construction-blueprint-released-to-tackle-climate-emergency/

Jenrick Outlines Green Commitment

Housing secretary Robert Jenrick has made a commitment to a new green standard to tackle the climate crisis and keep household energy bills low. The Future Homes Standard would see fossil fuel heating systems, such as gas boilers, banned from new-build homes by 2025. They will be replaced with cleaner technology, including air source heat pumps and “cutting-edge” solar panels, explained the government. Jenrick said: “Building new homes isn’t just about bricks and mortar; I want to ensure everyone – including developers – does their bit to protect the environment and give the next generation beautiful, environmentally friendly homes that local communities can support.” Read more on the Planning Portal.

https://www.planningportal.co.uk/news/article/666/planning_news_-_9_october_2019?utm_source=PPQ+Newsletter&utm_campaign=710032a511-Newsletter_11072019_HTML_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_734e0b63a9-710032a511-7266185#one

Developer Commits To Zero Carbon Buildings By 2030

Property developer Great Portland Estates has committed to constructing net zero carbon buildings by 2030. The firm has also signed up to a groundbreaking Climate Change Commitment launched by members of the Better Buildings Partnership. The BBP represent 31 leading property owners who are working together to improve the sustainability of existing commercial buildings. GPE also aims to upgrade its existing portfolio of buildings to achieve a 40% reduction in energy intensity and at least a 69% reduction in carbon intensity by the 2030 target date. Read more on the Construction Enquirer website.

https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2019/09/20/london-developer-commits-to-zero-carbon-buildings-by-2030/

FIT Cuts Are ‘Idiotic’ and Will Hit Social Housing

The Shadow Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change has attacked the Government over the change to feed-in-tariffs that will “end solar power for social housing”. Speaking in the House of Commons, Caroline Flint MP criticised the move which will see feed-in tariff payments cut by more than half from December. She said: “[The Opposition] regrets that the Government’s plans would exclude nearly nine out of ten households from installing solar power under the feed-in tariffs scheme, [which] will disproportionately hit social housing and community projects.” Mrs Flint said: “Let us get serious. We have a cut of more than 50% with just six weeks’ notice. Is that reasonable? Is that fair? Is that sustainable? I suggest that it is not.” Read more on 24dash.

Government Issued With Legal Threat Over FIT Cuts

Friends of the Earth is calling on the Government to alter its plans to slash subsidies for households and communities that install solar panels, or face legal action. Climate Change Minister Greg Barker announced plans last week to impose lower feed-in tariff payments after 12 December this year. But Friends of the Earth has written to him, saying that unless the Government agrees to amend its proposals by 4pm on Friday 11 November, it will commence court proceedings. Craig Bennett, FoE policy and campaigns director, said: ‘The government is breaking the law with its plans to fast-track a solar industry kill-off - as well as jeopardising thousands of jobs and countless clean energy projects across the country. Significant time and money has been invested planning solar schemes for homes, schools and libraries - giving them just six weeks to install is completely unacceptable, and schemes have already been scrapped.” Read more on the Friends of the Earth website.

Consultation: Planning for a Low Carbon Future in a Changing Climate

The purpose of this e-consultation is to get stakeholder views and comments on the new draft planning policy which combines and updates the existing planning policy statements on climate change (PPS1 supplement) and renewable energy (PPS22). Find the consultation document and link to the response form on the CLG website. The consultation ends 1 June 2010.

Tories To Make Energy Efficiency 'A Consumer Product'

Every household will be entitled to claim up to £6,500 to make their homes more energy efficient under Conservative plans unveiled by Shadow Housing Minister Grant Shapps, who will outline proposals to make energy efficiency 'a consumer product' by enabling customers to sign 're-fit' deals with high street companies. The announcement is part of a new programme to get 25 million homes 'greened up' to help save money for consumers while meeting environmental commitments under the Climate Change Act. Read the full story on the 24dash website