Themes

Climate change

Showcase - best practice
Our website of case studies to inform and inspire. Showcase highlights projects that contribute to creating better communities. These examples give practical insight into developing sustainable communities. Visit Showcase at showcase.homesandcommunities.co.uk Before creating Showcase we researched which sources of best practice knowledge are already used by sustainable communities practitioners and how we can make this better. We're grateful to our stakeholders for their help with this research.
Practice Guidance to support the Planning Policy Statement: Planning and Climate Change
Practice guidance to support the Planning Policy Statement: Planning and Climate Change This practice guide supports the implementation of the Planning Policy Statement: Planning and Climate Change , the (“ Climate Change PPS ”) which was published on 17 December 2007 as a supplement to Planning Policy Statement 1 (" PPS1 ").
Debate considers the reality of low carbon communities
Calls for more subsidies for energy efficient homes and efforts to focus on improving and growing existing towns and cities were raised during our debate on low carbon communities. The first in a series of debates sparked lively discussion on the reality of creating low carbon communities. Over 70 people from across the sector contributed to the debate around leading issues including locality, community engagement, connectivity, old versus new and low carbon or no carbon.
Eco-towns seminar series
This seminar series aimed to generate awareness and understanding of the Government’s Eco-towns initiative, and the skills needed to deliver it. We worked with the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) and the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) to deliver these events. The programme was launched in London on 14 December 2007. Between January and May 2008 eight regional seminars were facilitated, open to professionals involved in the creation of sustainable communities.
The Road to Zero Carbon
A major 1 day conference on low & zero carbon buildings All new buildings will need to be zero carbon within a decade, starting with a 25% reduction in CO2 emissions next October, while CO2 emissions from existing buildings need to be approaching zero by 2050. We are now seeing a move from demonstration projects to an increasing number of real world low and zero carbon buildings being built.
Housing and the Environment - A Greener Future
How can we meet the carbon challenge in the housing sector? The impact of housing and communities on the environment has well been acknowledged, from new developments to existing homes to behaviour and culture. Housing contributes approximately 30% of carbon emissions in the UK posing a significant challenge for the sector; resulting in the need for a change in the ways that housing and neighbourhoods are developed and maintained.
Sustainable Cities, Towards a Low Carbon Future
Conference on how government and business can work together to develop sustainable cities. In the lead up to December's World Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen, The Green Door project (www.thegreendoorproject.com) brings together a number of high profile speakers from the worlds of politics, finance, energy, law, building services and architecture to address how the world can live, work and play in a lower-carbon, energy-aware and sustainable way.
Environment and Regeneration
Identify methods for assessing environmental impact and applying sustainability measures in regeneration projects. This one-day interactive seminar will provide an overview of the drivers behind the ‘Green Agenda’ and the impacts this has for regeneration and its stakeholders. You will consider a range of methods of assessing of environmental impact during the design, construction and operation of a project.
How to Meet the Code for Sustainable Homes
Lessons from current practice This half-day seminar will provide practical and timely information on how to meet the Code which you can take away and apply to your own projects. All new homes will have to meet the CO 2 reduction target of Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes (25% lower than current Building Regulations) from next year onwards with a timetable of tougher targets over coming years. An increasing number of local planning authorities require new homes to achieve certain Code levels.
Planning for Sustainable Energy
Are we on the right pathway to meet the climate change challenge? This TCPA seminar will look at the current policy environment and debate the effectiveness of local climate change strategies. The seminar is structured in two distinct sessions. The first half will focus on the key recommendations of the Foresight ‘Powering our Lives: Sustainable Energy Management and the Built Environment’ Project. The project explored how the UK built environment could evolve to help manage the transition to secure, sustainable, low carbon energy systems that meet the needs of society, the requirements of the economy, and the expectations of individuals (for further information, visit the Foresight website ) The second session will be an interactive panel debate, drawing upon the lessons from the Foresight project, and looking at whether we have the right planning policy framework to create a clear strategic pathway for renewable and low carbon energy provision.

Reducing Carbon award category
Category finalists CATEGORY WINNER: Daneville Estate, Liverpool
Low Carbon Development award category
Category finalists CATEGORY WINNER: Cross Street South, Bromford Group, Wolverhampton
How to meet the Code for Sustainable Homes
This half-day seminar will provide practical & timely information on how to meet the Code which you can apply to your own projects. All new homes will have to meet the CO 2 reduction target for Code Level 3 next year. An increasing number of local planning authorities require new homes to achieve certain Code levels. Government funded housing has to meet the Code. An understanding of the Code & how it can be achieved is vital if you are involved in delivering new housing. The seminar will:
Future Communities website
futurecommunities.net is all about community participation and place management, it's been created to help people who build communities. The site shows well presented, clear examples of projects that have created sustainable communities. Additionally the site provides background guidance for people to implement on their own development projects.
What’s the reality of low carbon communities?
The findings from our first Debate Place debate "What’s the reality of low carbon communities?" The question proved highly stimulating and provoked a high level of interest from professionals and the public. The debate highlighted the complexity of creating any new community, let alone a ‘low carbon’ one. Several comments related directly to the relevance and usefulness of having an opportunity to learn and share views within Debate Place . Key Messages include: We need to think carefully about the implications of locating new developments away from existing infrastructure. There was a strong consensus that we should instead focus on improving and increasing densities in existing towns and cities. Subsidies should be increased and made widely available to enable homeowners to make their existing homes more energy efficient, and for homeowners and developers to install the most cost effective and appropriate micro-renewables. More focus and resource needs to be put into community engagement and effective longterm management of new places to enable thriving and successful communities. European models for housing, such as co-housing, should be considered as a part of UK home and community delivery models. There should be more public and professional awareness of the importance of great design and place making. » The full report is in the links on the right .
Ecobuild
The world's biggest event dedicated to sustainable design, construction and the built environment. This three day event attracts over 800 exhibitors from the sustainable construction sector. There will be many high-profile and often controversial speakers, including James Naughtie, Germaine Greer and Alistair Campbell. Over 100 seminars will be on offer, discussing relevant and pressing issues that will show delegates examples of best practice and practical learning points.
Greener planning: new web guidance for planners to tackle climate change
Planners will get help to deliver a low carbon economy and respond to the challenges of climate change, Planning Minister Iain Wright announced today. Communities and Local Government (CLG), the Homes and Communities Academy and the Planning Advisory Service (PAS) have joined forces to provide new web-based guidance on planning and climate change. One year ago, CLG published the Planning Policy Statement on Climate Change to put tackling climate change at the heart of planning. Since the policy was published, planners and councils have been grappling with the challenge of translating this into practice on the ground. The new guidance will, for example, help councils deliver a new wave of local renewable energy and community power schemes like combined heat and power plants (CHP), as well as climate proofing new development.
Confusion over climate change to impair progress
Figures released today reveal that British consumers feel prepared to take more personal responsibility to deal with environmental issues but confusion could hinder the progress in addressing climate change. The HCA Academy questioned more than 2,000 consumers and 100 senior professionals to understand both consumer and professionals’ views about climate change. The poll coincides with the launch of the HCA Academy’s microsite - Demystifying Climate Change - which aims to improve professionals’ understanding of climate change strategies and concepts. The survey revealed that seven out of 10 consumers claimed they were concerned about climate change and 80 per cent said they’d be prepared to take personal responsibility for the environment. So, given the strength of feeling, and despite Government efforts to engage consumers with the issues associated with climate change, why aren’t people rushing to install solar panels or purchase the latest eco-friendly home?
SDUK09: Time for Change
Soaring oil prices, global food shortages and rising carbon emissions mean now is the time for decisive action by all those concerned with the role that sustainability plays in the future safety and security of the UK. Whether you’re interested in low carbon city action plans, sustainable transport systems, bio-fuels and food security or guaranteeing our future energy sources, SDUK09 will cover all the major issues set to impact on the UK today, tomorrow and the future
Engaging with rivers
Engaging with rivers in a period of uncertainty University of Sheffield Professor Paul Selman  To systematically review the evidence regarding collaborative river basin planning. Undertake action research into the use of imaginative engagement methods to enable people to visualise complex systems. Appraisal of participants developing awareness of catchment and river basin processes and the meanings they attach to them.
Northamptonshire environmental project wins award
On the day the United Nations called for communities across the world to focus on tackling climate change, winners of the Government’s awards for sustainable communities demonstrated excellence in promoting the natural environment and achieving a low carbon economy. The Creating the Future Awards recognise outstanding achievement in the delivery of sustainable communities. The scheme, now in its second year, is organised by ASC on behalf of Government. The 2008 winners were announced at an awards ceremony on 5th June – which was also World Environment Day, one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment.
ASC to support eco town teams
Research commissioned by ASC has found that there needs to be a more co-ordinated approach to delivering climate change training for people who create and maintain communities. The study by Arup found that climate change training is not being set properly within the wider context of sustainable communities. As a result, climate change issues are being addressed as a ‘bolt-on' to other sustainable communities issues, rather than underpinning all activities. We will work with bodies and networks responsible for professional training to prioritise climate change learning. This will support the emerging eco town teams and other professionals in the wider sector as they plan and build communities that can adapt to a changing climate.
Planning for Climate Change article
19 Dec 2006 - Our Chair, Prof. Peter Roberts, and Town and Country Planning Association Chief Executive, Gideon Amos, essay on Planning for Climate Change. This was published in the latest Smith Institute pamphlet, " The Green Shift: Environmental policies to match a changing public climate ", along with essays from influential politicians, key scientists and academics.  » You can download the full document from the Smith Institute web site (pdf)
Sustainable Cities website
CABE's Sustainable Cities website contains advice and best practice about sustainable urban design and management It supports the people whose job is to make decisions about how to plan, design and manage towns and cities. The site offers an invaluable knowledge base of examples of good practice from around the world, to help decide the right approach for your city, town, neighbourhood or site.  www.sustainablecities.org.uk

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