Addressing climate change is a priority of delivering sustainable development and is a strategic priority in the NPPF.
The Climate Change Act 2008 establishes a legal framework that underpins the UK's commitment to tackling climate change, including reducing CO2 emissions and addressing climate risks. The impacts of climate change do not reflect local planning areas and tackling the causes (mitigation) and consequences (adaptation) of climate change effectively will often require collaborative approaches across authority boundaries. For example:
- matching the scale and type of opportunities for low carbon and renewable energy generation with existing and potential areas of energy usage
- managing flood risk and drought resilience, where coasts and river catchments do not follow council boundaries
- working together on climate change issues will also provide opportunities for councils to develop and share data, evidence and expertise.
The sustainability appraisal (SA) scoping report should be able to use this information to highlight the potential scale and type of carbon mitigation required and where adaptation will be a priority. As a consequence, it should also be able to highlight where collaborative activity would be most effective.
NPPF (Paragraph 97) requires local authorities to consider suitable areas for renewable and low carbon energy sources. Councils should consider joint approaches to carrying out local renewable/ decentralised energy studies which will help identify areas where there are the greatest opportunities and support the determination of local renewable energy targets. Some of the greatest opportunities for low carbon energy generation will be related to major development proposals, the impact of which themselves cross council boundaries.
NPPF (Paragraph 100) requires that councils undertake a strategic flood risk assessment (SFRA) for coastal and fluvial sources as part of their evidence base. The SFRA will help to identify principal areas where flooding could be significant and where measures will be needed to reduce the risks. Undertaking this work on a joint basis will help guide development across a conurbation or housing market area to the safest locations, as well as being more resource efficient. Key partners in this will be the Environment Agency and Lead Local Flood Authorities (county councils and unitary authorities) but cooperation from water and sewerage companies should also be sought.
Councils are also required (where relevant) to identify Coastal Change Management Areas - any area that is likely to be affected by physical changes to the coast – and work with neighbouring authorities to apply integrated coastal zone management.
Further information and advice
NPPG
Climate change: http://planningguidance.planningportal.gov.uk/blog/guidance/climate-change/
Floodrisk and coastal change: http://planningguidance.planningportal.gov.uk/blog/guidance/flood-risk-and-coastal-change/
Renewable and low carbon energy: http://planningguidance.planningportal.gov.uk/blog/guidance/renewable-and-low-carbon-energy/
DEFRA
Climate Change (including climate change risk assessment and projections) https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/adapting-to-climate-change
Flood Risk Management: https://www.gov.uk/flood-risk-management-information-for-flood-risk-management-authorities-asset-owners-and-local-authorities
Environment Agency http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/default.aspx