London Mayor, Ken Livingstone, wants there to be at least one carbon neutral development project in each of the city’s 32 boroughs by 2010. To that end, the London Energy Partnership has released an instructive paper titled, Toward Zero Carbon Developments – Supportive Information for Boroughs, that will provide the advice necessary to make it easier for the goal to be met and exceeded.
The report includes practical advice about how local authorities can use their powers to encourage zero carbon development and offers information about likely site characteristics, example text for zoning regulations, an overview of key arguments to use in discussion with developers, and lessons learned and pitfalls to avoid.
The strategy emphasizes the importance of on-site renewable energy generation and locally-sited combined heat and power projects combined with energy efficiency as the way to meet a zero carbon target.
The Greater London Authority estimates that some 35,400 new homes are needed each year in the region. These development pressures will create demand for major new developments to provide new places of work, shopping and related social and cultural facilities. The Mayor’s Energy Strategy shows that, by influencing built development, there is significant potential to reduce London’s overall carbon emissions.
The report notes, “The construction of zero carbon developments across London would increase the pace with which both the planning system and the construction industry embrace sustainability as a fundamental design criterion. The Mayor’s Sustainable Design and Construction Supplementary Planning Guidance, May 2006, also includes zero carbon developments as part of the Mayor’s preferred standard for energy.”
More
- Toward Zero Carbon Developments – Supportive Information for Boroughs – by the London Energy Partnerships, July 27, 2006
- London, England Government HomePage
