The dramatic effects of climate change caused by the impact of greenhouse gases on the environment is the driving force behind increasing legislation from Government and the European Commission. Subsequent pressure at the local and regional level from Planning Authorities to respond in a proactive way to lower harmful emissions are the factors combining to ensure that the generation of clean renewable energy is now a top priority for commercial sector companies and every kind of public sector organisation.

Kyoto Protocols
Increasing the use of renewable energy is a key component of the Governments plans to meet its voluntary climate change target. The UK Government, as part of the European Union (EU) is a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change. This means that it is committed to cutting emissions of a “basket” of six climate changing gases including carbon dioxide to 12.5% below 1990 levels over the period 2008 to 2012.

Draft Climate Change Bill 2007
In addition to this commitment the Government has set a voluntary domestic target of cutting carbon dioxide to 20% below 1990 levels by 2010. Furthermore, the recent Energy White Paper expressed an “ambition” to cut them by 60% on 2003 levels by 2050. The Draft Climate Change Bill, published on March 13th 2007, aims to make this and an interim target for 2020 legally binding.

Adopting the “Merton” Rule
In August 2004 the Government published its Planning Policy Statement (PPS) on renewable energy, known as PPS 22. For the first time, this required local planning authorities to give due regard to the Government's targets for renewable energy - 10% by 2010 with an aspiration of 20% by 2020 - in their planning decisions. In particular, PPS 22 confirmed the legal right of councils to "require a percentage of the energy to be used in new residential, commercial or industrial developments to come from on-site renewable energy developments".

The London Borough of Merton, which had campaigned for the inclusion of target-setting in PPS 22, was the first local authority to adopt this approach in setting a target for all non-residential developments above a threshold of 1,000 m2 to incorporate at least 10% of their energy needs from renewable energy equipment.

So far only a handful of Boroughs in the North West have adopted the Merton Rule. Read more on the 'Merton Rule'

Regional and Local Planning Policy Factors
Planning Policy Statement 22 on Renewable Energy (PPS22) was published in August 2004. The policies set out in this statement will need to be taken into account by regional planning bodies in the preparation of regional spatial strategies and by local authorities in the preparation of local development documents.

The Importance of PPS22
PPS22 states that regional and local planning documents should contain policies designed to promote and encourage, rather than restrict, the development of renewable energy resources. It also allows renewable energy targets at regional and sub-regional levels to be set. Paragraph 8 of PPS22 legitimises the use of policies in local development frameworks requiring a percentage of energy for new commercial, industrial or residential development top come from on site renewables. A statement by the Housing and Planning Minister in June 2006 said, “…The Government expect all planning authorities to include policies in their development plans that require a percentage of the energy in new developments to come from on-site renewables, where it is viable…Local Authorities who are updating their plans through new local development frameworks should take the opportunity to also update their policies in this area.”

Future Building Regulations
Government has already announced that all new housing developments in England will be zero carbon by 2016. This will be implemented through the Building Regulations and in the interim the Government currently plans to step up energy reductions every three years. Energy reductions will be a percentage increase on current Building Regulations and reflect the increasing levels of the Code for Sustainable Homes. This means that by 2013 some form of renewable or low-carbon technology will be needed for all new homes.

European Commission Directive
The EU Directive on renewable energy which was adopted on 27th October 2001 obliges member states collectively to meet 12% of their gross internal energy consumption and 22% of their electricity consumption from renewables by 2010.