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Planning for Climate Change

Evidence of climate change

Climate change picture showing CO2 Emissions by Sector  (Housing 50%, Commercial 32% and Transport 18%. Total = 967kt/yr. Growth = 195kt/yr).

There is now a wide body of scientific evidence to support the view that climate change is a serious and urgent issue. Investigations into the causes of climate change has identified that energy use in buildings is one of the key reasons for the rise in carbon emissions which is directly linked to global warming.

Carbon Reduction Scenarios Study in 2007 estimated that Haringey produced 967 kilo tonnes per annum (ktpa) during the year 2003. This is equivalent to every Haringey resident flying to New York and back five times a year. Haringey’s baseline information shows that energy use in the domestic sector is responsible for 50 percent of CO2 emissions, transport is responsible for 18 percent and the rest of the emissions come from non-domestic buildings including council offices.

The Carbon Reduction Scenarios study carried out by SEA/Renue in 2006-2007 also set out an action plan for the borough to reduce CO2 emissions in Haringey (please see the attached files section below to view a copy of this document). This included actions which relate to Planning and Regeneration. The study concluded that growth areas such as Tottenham Hale and Haringey Heartlands sites offer key opportunities for low –zero carbon developments in the borough. These sites offer key opportunities for installing CHP networks which are crucial to meet the London-wide 60% carbon reduction target. It concluded that further exploratory work with the GLA and LDA for CHP networks and decentralised energy supply is needed and that measures for carbon reduction should be a key consideration for all other development sites where development briefs and planning briefs are needed.

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Taking action in Haringey

One of the key areas of action for reducing CO2 emissions in Haringey is through controlling CO2 emissions in new build developments. We have developed planning policies and guidance to help promote energy efficiency and renewable energy in buildings, and to reduce the amount of energy used in fossil fuels.

Haringey’s planning policies are contained in the 'Local Plan: Strategic Policies' document which was adopted at Full Council on 18 March 2013 and the Unitary Development Plan (UDP) saved policies. For the Local Plan:Strategic Policies on climate change mitigation and adaptation and the UDP saved policies, visit the Adoption of the Local Plan: Strategic Policies page.

More detailed guidance on sustainability for all buildings can be found in our Sustainable Design and Construction Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which was also adopted on the 18 March 2013. To see further details about this SPD please visit the Sustainable Design and Construction webpage. This shows how the design and construction of all buildings can incorporate sustainability, protect natural resources, enhance biodiversity and reduce construction waste, environmental pollution and CO2 emissions.

The council has also published a guide for those residents who live in a conservation area or a listed building. Attention is needed to the special character of your property when considering energy conservation and use of renewable energy. You will find information on appropriate ways to install renewable energy systems without impacting upon the special character of your property in the Use of Renewable Energy systems in Historic Buildings and Conservation Areas guide in the attached files section below

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Promoting Good Practice across the borough

The Council recently set up the Haringey Design Awards that seek to recognise and promote innovative, diverse, high quality and sustainable design in the local built environment. Awards include a category for sustainable design and construction and energy efficiency.

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Householders Guide: Are you planning home improvements?

Whatever type of homes we live in, we can all take actions to make them greener, healthier and more comfortable places to live.

Positive changes can be made in many ways and can also save you money. Ideas to make your home greener include, changing light bulbs or your boiler for better energy efficiency, installing a water butt in your garden to save water, or installing solar panels on your extension to obtain hot water.

See Haringey Council’s ‘Greening Your Home’ guide for more information on how to renovate and improve your home in an environmentally sensitive way.

You can also check if your house needs energy efficiency measures by using Haringey’s Home Heat Loss page.

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Working with others

Muswell Hill Low Carbon Zones 2009-2012 - Mayor of London

Low Carbon Zones was a community led approach to cutting the capital’s carbon emissions. In September 2009 the Mayor of London announced that Muswell Hill would become one of 10 Low Carbon Zones in the capital. The project tested a range of measures in Muswell Hill:

  • Energy saving advice and subsidies for households
  • Creating exemplar sustainable buildings e.g. schools, libraries and community buildings
  • Using large roof spaces for large photovoltaic arrays, working with En10ergy
  • Promoting sustainable lifestyles
  • Educational programmes with schools, including a zero carbon Living Ark

The Muswell Hill Low Carbon Zone was a partnership project. The bid was developed by Haringey Council and the Muswell Hill Sustainability Group, and a number of other partners are now involved to help deliver the schemes. Projects delivered in the Low Carbon Zones tested how different approaches can be used to achieve ambitious carbon savings, which can later be rolled out elsewhere. The short-term aim of the Low Carbon Zones project was to achieve a 20.12% reduction in carbon emissions within each zone by 2012. The work in these zones will also go on to help towards the Mayor of London’s target of a 60% cut in carbon emissions by 2025. In December 2009 the Muswell Hill Low Carbon Zone project received a major boost when it was selected by the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) to receive additional funding from the Low Carbon Communities Challenge (LCCC). The evaluation phase of the Low Carbon Zone is currently underway. Please visit the Muswell Hill Low Carbon page for more information.

European Partners

Haringey Council is working with others to develop good practice examples on planning for climate change across London and beyond. We recently participated in a European project called RegEnergy (see external links section) by providing guidance on the integration of climate change concerns into spatial planning processes across Europe.

Haringey Council is also a partner in the Sustainable Energy Europe campaign (see external links section) which aims to raise awareness and change the landscape of energy. This is a European Commission initiative.

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Training and Capacity Building

Haringey is one of the three local authorities working with the Greater London Authority (GLA) and the London Energy Partnership (LEP) (see external links section) to develop training packages to equip planners across the capital with the skills to deal with the impact of climate change.

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Attached Files

The following links are not part of the Haringey Council website. Please read our legal disclaimer before using these links

Page Last Updated: 21 March 2013

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