Climate Change and Energy

Category Background

To ensure that new developments are appropriately adapted to the impacts of present and future climate change and to minimise their own impact on greenhouse gases, flooding, heat gain, water resources and water quality.

Developments can adapt to the impacts of climate change and minimise their impact on greenhouse gases, flooding, heat gain, water resources and water quality.

The draft Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) for the South West draws attention to the importance of reducing energy use to mitigate climate change by improving energy efficiency and developing renewable resources:

‘Currently, only about 3% of the region’s electricity requirements are generated from renewable sources, compared to a national target of 20% by 2020. [...] By producing more of the energy we use within the region, and from renewable sources, the ‘carbon footprint’ can be reduced as well as providing economic benefits through creating jobs.’ (RSS, 1.6.4)

The South West Climate Change Impacts Partnership (SWCCIP) developed a report on climate change called ‘Warming to the Idea’ (2003) with facts on climate change:

  • ‘Winters are becoming wetter (a 5 – 20% increase is expected by the 2050s), whilst summers are becoming drier (10 – 40% decrease by the 2050s)’;
  • ‘In our buildings, especially our housing, we will need to design for much warmer summers, providing cooling and ventilation, but without using any more energy that would make things worse’ (Warming to the Idea: Summary Report, p.2);
  • ‘Extreme climate events present challenges for all of us. For example buildings, transport and communication are vulnerable to flooding and storms, which is already leading to increased insurance claims’ (Warming to the Idea: Summary Report, p.2).

For more statistics and information, visit: oursouthwest.com

Another useful resource to find real examples for sustainable development is the South East Climate Change Partnership’s Adapting to climate change: a checklist for development’ document and the accompanying ‘case study companion to the checklist for development’:

‘Building climate resilience within our domestic and commercial buildings minimises our exposure to climate risks bringing with it social, economic and environmental benefits’ (Foreword to Adapting to climate change: a study companion to the checklist for development)

Both these documents can be downloaded at: climatesoutheast.org.uk

The SW Sustainability Checklist will help developers and planners foresee the impacts of climate change on their own projects while providing a framework for advice and help along the way.

This Category addresses:

  • Reducing the impacts of flooding,
  • Reducing overheating and “heat island” effects,
  • Making use of harvested rain and grey water,
  • Planning energy efficiency,
  • Renewable energy,
  • Raising awareness of energy consumption.

Useful resources: