The Green Alliance has published a 40-page pamphlet, "Housing a Low Carbon Society", which calls on the new Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG - formerly the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister -ODPM) to take on a leadership role in tackling climate change. The paper outlines the challenges in meeting the Government’s target to reduce CO2 emissions by 60 per cent by 2050 and the crucial role housing can play in achieving this goal. There are 28 signatories supporting the paper, including Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), The Chartered Institute of Housing, the National Trust, and the RSPB . The report highlights how the location and density of housing can determine whether people have access to local services, sustainable transport and energy infrastructure, thus enabling them to lead a low carbon lifestyle.

Five major commitments are proposed as the backbone of this leadership agenda:

1. Join the joint Defra-DfT-DTI Public Service Agreement on climate change.
2. Set a whole house carbon reduction target for all housing stock of at least 30 per
cent by 2020, and at least 60 per cent by 2050.9
3. Produce and publish the new climate change Planning Policy Statement by the
end of 2006, and launch it through a high profile, cross-departmental statement
by ministers.
4. Declare the Thames Gateway a carbon neutral, climate-proof development.10
5. Introduce a leadership duty for local government on climate change.

Green transport plans are highlighted as an essential feature of affordable low carbon
communities, minimising the need to travel through good provision of local
services, and making the bus, tram or tube an easier, more attractive option than the
car. Personal transport accounts for 18 per cent of UK carbon emissions and car use
is currently growing at an unsustainable four per cent a year.

The pamphlet highlights that the DCLG has the opportunity to has the opportunity to take a big leap forwards, by
using the Thames Gateway growth area as a flagship to deliver ultra-low carbon developments at affordable cost.
Many of the measures proposed could be acted upon immediately, such as equalising VAT on new build and refurbishment, and introducing incentives for developers to reach high standards against the forthcoming Code for Sustainable Homes. Other measures, such as introducing a leadership duty on climate change for local government, and committing to a carbon neutral Thames Gateway, are aimed at building the long-term strategic framework for change.

Examples of best practice given in the pamphlet include:

Greenwich Millennium Village - a 1,500 home low-carbon development using a combination of local electricity generation, improved insulation, and energy efficient devices for the apartments. This was the first UK private housing development to incorporate community heat with a CHP system, which provides central heating, hot water, and electricity. Passive design is also important in minimising energy use. The buildings were purposely shaped and positioned to make full use of the sun for both light and heat.

Stamford Brook Estate, Broadheath, Altrincham - Each of the 730 homes being built on this estate will be ultra efficient in their use of energy, water and building materials. They have been designed so the minimum possible number of houses experience shade and all feature water - efficient showers, and  compost bins for the kitchen worktop and the garden. The development also includes woodland walkways, greenways and cycle paths.

Beddington Zero Energy Development (BedZED), Sutton - a development by the housing association Peabody Trust, is often held up as the iconic example of carbon neutral liveability, and the direction of things to come. The heating requirements of BedZED homes are around ten per cent that of a typical home built to 2000 Building Regulations, and all heating and hot water requirements are designed to be met by a wood fuel community heating network. Sutton Borough Council was a pioneer, using its well-being powers under the Local Government Act 2000, to make land available to the

BedZED developers at less than market value.

Woking Borough Council- a visionary approach by Allan Jones has given this council Beacon Status for micro-generation of electricity from renewable sources, mainly solar, and the formation of a local electricity company, giving residents lower fuel bills.

Northumberland Cavity Wall Project  - a pragmatic street by street approach to cavity wall insulation, also installing top-up loft insulation and draught-proofing all social housing by 2015.

"Housing a Low Carbon Society" is an important contribution to the debate on responding to climate change, and much will now depend on how the DCLG responds. The pamphlet is well-argued and researched, with nearly 70 references, and numerous case-studies as examples of best practice. Many of the recommendations in the pamphlet would have seemed wildly radical 5 years, but now represent mainstream thinking as the reality of climate change is biting home.

"Housing a Low Carbon Society" can be downloaded by following the link at:
http://www.green-alliance.org.uk/publications/HousingALowCarbonSociety