Climate Change Policy a Regional Perspective

1
Climate Change Policy a Regional Perspective

• Mike Barnes
• Head of Sustainable Development
• Government Office for the East of England

2
Climate Change Policy a Regional Perspective

• National Targets
• National Policy Drivers
• Regional Implications

3
Climate Change National Policy Targets

• Kyoto Protocol (12.5 below 1990 levels by 2012)
• Climate Change Programme 2000 (reduce emissions
  by 20 by 2010)
• Energy White Paper 2003 (reduce emissions by 60
  by 2050)
• Green Package proposals

4
Climate Change National Policy Drivers

• Stern Report
• Green Package
• Pre-Budget Report Proposals
• Energy Policy and Carbon

5
Stern Report

• Robust assessment of the impact of climate change
  on societies, the environment, growth and
  development
• Comparison of the economic costs of immediate or
  delayed action
• Suggested actions for Government and society

6
Green Package

• Climate Change Planning Policy Statement
• Code for Sustainable Homes
• Target for Zero carbon Homes
• Revisions to Building Regulations
• Revised Housing Planning Guidance

7
Pre-Budget Report 2006 Proposals

• Carbon trading
• Carbon capture
• Fiscal measures on travel
• Zero carbon housing
• Micro-generation of renewable energy
• Landlords energy saving allowance
• Landfill control

8
Energy Policy and Carbon

• Government Energy Review focussed on
• Tackling climate change by reducing carbon
  dioxide emissions
• Delivering secure, clean energy at affordable
  prices
• Energy White Paper expected later this year

9
Implications for the East of England

• Regional targets
• Planning
• Regional leadership
• Local government
• Economic opportunities

10
Regional Targets

• Vulnerable to effects of climate change
• High emissions
• High level of growth associated development
• Influencing regional strategies
• Centres of expertise

11
The Planning System as an Enabler

• New Planning Policy Statement
• (Climate Change)
• Green Package
• Regional Spatial Strategy
• Local Development Plans
• Revised Policy Planning Statement (Housing)

12
Regional Leadership

• GO-East working with Whitehall, regional
  partners, Local Authorities and business
• Focus on physical design and construction for
  zero carbon development
• Behavioural change
• Planner / developer events and guidance

13
A Role for Local Government

• Community leadership
• Biofuel vehicles energy efficient schools
• Service delivery / Local Area Agreements
• Local Government White Paper
• pivotal role in achieving sustainable development
  
• Many local authorities already taking action
• new opportunities to drive local action on
  climate change mitigation and adaptation

14
Economic opportunities

• Responding to Stern
• R D
• Tyndall / UEA
• Local business development
• Renewables East
• Environmental technologies
• Growth
• Northstowe
• Regional Cities East

15
Thank you for listeningMike
BarnesGO-EastEastbrookShaftesbury
RoadCambridge CB2 8DFmike.barnes_at_goeast.gsi.gov.
uk