The then party chairman, Eric Pickles, backed the measure, which let councils force developers to meet higher standards of energy efficiency than required under national building regulations, and ensure the resulting homes got some energy from solar panels or other renewable sources.
Indeed the Planning and Energy Act, as it became, fitted the party’s priorities, being a voluntary measure for councils which enshrined localism as well as protecting the environment. And it addressed a need, for Britain’s standard of energy efficiency in homes (less than half are properly insulated), like its use of renewables, is among the lowest in the developed world.
“We are all in this together,” said Mr Fallon of the battle against global warming, adding: “I want to see councils leading the fight against climate change.” And a Tory policy document on the “low carbon economy”, which Mr Cameron launched in a webcast interview with me, promised to ensure it was “implemented in full”.
Back to 2013, and the world as it now is. The Act is a success: most of England’s 324 planning authorities use it to tighten efficiency standards on new houses and install renewables, and it has become the principle driver of such improvements.
“And it addressed a need, for Britain’s standard of energy efficiency in homes (less than half are properly insulated), like its use of renewables, is among the lowest in the developed world.”
Let me guess, we have better insulated homes than Portugal, Greece, Spain, Australia, Italy etc?
And worse insulated homes than Poland, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Canada, Russia etc?
If only we could think of a reason why that might be the case …..
Good to see that Fatty Lean has found some good in global warming. A ship has got through the Northwest Passage, thereby saving fuel and dangerous greenhouse emissions.
But I’m a bit stumped by this one: NASA “has had to send 97 per cent of its staff home as part of the US government shutdown” Srsly? 97%?
Shortage of housing = higher prices = happy core voters.
The bulk carrier Nordic Orion is an ice class vessel. That is, it has a strengthened hull as well as rudder and propellor protection. Regardless whether the NW passage is passable in summer or not, It won’t be open season for any and all shipping.
@ bis
Presumably the other 3% are those keeping watch over satellites to make sure than none of them are going to fall out of orbit and crash into the USA.