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Synopsis

The environment is becoming an ever growing issue for the government; at the global level the government needs to find solutions to climate change and ensure a more sustainable future and at the local level the problem of environmental crime needs to be addressed.

Climate change is the most pressing environmental, social and economic problem facing the planet. Climate change is already beginning to impact on us. Droughts, floods and other weather changes are causing problems that we need to deal with now. Government is adapting to these pressures and is finding new ways to combat the problem and produce a more sustainable future. In the white paper ‘Planning For A Sustainable Future,’ published on 21 May 2007, the government set out a wide-ranging package of proposals for reform of the planning system. Planning is critical to protecting the countryside and the environment, building sustainable homes and communities, and supporting growth and prosperity.

Similarly, the Communities and Local Government green paper ‘Homes For The Future: More Affordable, More Sustainable’ emphasises the need to work closely with local authorities and government departments to create a more sustainable future. The green paper stresses the need to build better homes, built to high standards, both in terms of design and environmental impact. These new homes are to be part of the solution to climate change; not part of the problem. Former Housing Minister the Rt. Hon Yvette Cooper has urged the housing industry to “sign the green pledge” – an agreement with housebuilders and councils to make zero carbon housing a reality within 10 years. The 2016 Commitment has been established to formalise support for the governments housing agenda from relevant sectors such as the homebuilding, energy and construction industries, environmental groups and local authorities.

The Government also aims to create a greener and more sustainable public transport system; supporting the development and adoption of greener technologies; and encouraging more sustainable patterns of travel through regulation, training, and improving public awareness of environmental issues. Both the Stern and Eddington reports in 2006 highlighted the multi-faceted approaches needed to meet the huge challenges ahead.

The government has issued a number of policies to enforce the protection of our environment and continues to implement strategies to this effect.

 

 

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