Independent panel agree to cut emissions by 20% through renewable energy sources
Ken Livingstone’s plans to double onsite renewable energy requirements for new buildings in London has been supported by a new report.
An independent panel, appointed to examine proposed changes to the London Plan, welcomed plans to cut emissions by 20% through renewable energy sources. The current target is 10%.
It said the capital was behind many other countries in the take-up of new technologies and that the case for “bold policies” was convincing.
Livingstone said: “The threat we face from catastrophic climate change is increasingly clear and serious and with this ringing endorsement of our approach, we can improve upon the good start that the London Plan has already made in reducing carbon emissions from new development across the capital.”
The endorsement of the mayor’s policies comes as some industry figures are calling for the controversial Merton Rule to be scrapped.
The British Property Federation has been campaigning to overturn the regulation, which dictates at least 10% of energy in new developments comes from renewable sources.
Executive director of Greenpeace John Sauven welcomed today’s news, saying: “Decentralised energy and renewable power will have to form the cornerstone of the worlds’ cities response to climate change.”
The London Plan, first published in 2004 by Livingstone, provides the capital with its first planning and development strategy.
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