Climate Change

Government Office for the East of England promotes better understanding of these issues to raise the profile of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and better adaptation to climate change, in a region of intensive economic and social development. 

We work closely with the Regional Climate Change Partnership and other regional partners to increase understanding of the issues around climate change and how adaptations can be made to help cope with climate change in the future.  Together with the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA), the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) and the Environment Agency we jointly fund the region's Climate Change Co-ordinator.

In the greater southeast, we work closely with Government Office and Climate Change Partnership colleagues in London and the South East on various climate change adaptation projects.  This has resulted in the production of various publications which provide advice to developers and communities on adapting buildings and assisting communities to take allowance of the likely impacts of climate change.

Government Office for the East of England is working with partners in supporting local authorities in the region in their efforts to adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Recognising that the built environment is responsible for nearly half of the UK's carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, Government Office for the East of England has worked in partnership with Inspire East, Acadamy for Sustainable Communities and the Buildings Research Establishment (BRE) to develop and publish a low carbon development guide for planners and councillors.  "Low Carbon Development - An Introductory Guide for Planners and Councillors" has been developed in response to the need to help tackle emissions from the built environment.  The guide focuses on future development and is intended to assist local authority planners and councillors in the region by providing an introduction to the following:

• the direction of climate change policy emerging from the Government, in particular policy related to spatial planning
• issues to consider in the development of local spatial planning policy in line with the Planning and Climate Change Supplement to Planning Policy Statement 1 (2007)
• how local spatial planning can complement and support the Building Regulation system and the delivery of national targets, particularly those relating to zero carbon homes by 2016
• how to implement planning policies through working with developers
• how councillors can support implementation in their local authorities and ensure their authority leads the community by example

The guide is intended to complement existing and emerging Government policy and guidance.  Full versions of the policies referred to can be accessed via the website links and addresses in the guide.

Government Office for the East of England has also worked with the East of England Rural Forum and Energy Saving Trust to stimulate regional and national debate via a major conference on how zero carbon and affordable homes can be provided by 2016.

In addition, in partnership with the construction industry, Sustainability East and Sustainable Consruction East, Government Office for the East of England has:

• developed and published a series of sustainable procurement and waste minimisation information leaflets for the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) construction sector
• stimulated regional and national debate via a major conference on whether heavy or lightweight construction is most appropriate for climate change adaptation and mitigation