The Industrial Decarbonisation Group, a leader in technology, energy, and engineering, has made a significant contribution to the UK’s net zero planning efforts. Professor Dawid Hanak, a renowned expert in decarbonisation and the lead of the research group, has shared his extensive knowledge to support the development of a crucial briefing document by the Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology (POST).
This POSTnote addresses the challenges and opportunities within England’s planning system and related policies, essential for achieving the UK’s 2050 net zero target. It highlights critical areas such as electricity generation, housing, development, and the necessary resourcing and skills. The document underscores the need for improved coordination between policy areas to capitalize on multiple objectives simultaneously.
With global competition for low carbon infrastructure investment intensifying, the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association has identified the planning system as a significant constraint. The Committee on Climate Change has emphasized the urgency of implementing infrastructure at a faster pace. Despite the Planning Act 2008 establishing a statutory regime for nationally significant infrastructure projects, delays persist, particularly at the pre-application and final decision stages.
Unlike other UK nations, England lacks a national spatial plan. The Royal Town and Planning Institute advocates for such plans to transparently address land use trade-offs and inform public debate on net zero developments. The National Infrastructure Commission suggests that national scale spatial plans could translate national objectives into local plans, fostering a proactive approach.
“Achieving the UK’s 2050 net zero goal demands a comprehensive overhaul of our planning systems. By addressing these systemic delays, we can pave the way for a sustainable future,” stated Professor Dawid Hanak, Lead of the Industrial Decarbonisation Group.
The briefing document also notes the commitment of the new National Energy System Operator to deliver Regional Energy Strategic Plans. These plans will outline the distribution networks and technologies required to achieve net zero across the UK mainland, complemented by Strategic Spatial Energy Planning for energy storage and generation infrastructures.
Local planning processes, while comprehensive, often overlook certain aspects of infrastructure projects. Stakeholders have called for planning reforms to reduce delays and support the net zero transition. The Industrial Decarbonisation Group remains at the forefront of these discussions, advocating for innovative solutions to meet the UK’s ambitious climate goals.
Full text of the briefing note available at: https://post.parliament.uk/research-briefings/post-pn-0736/
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