Legislation and policy
There are a number of different international and national policies that establish a framework for local government and housing association action to mitigate climate change.
Renewable heat and electricity
Energy-efficient refurbishment
New build housing: planning and building regulations
There are also a number of national policies that influence local authority and housing association action. Go to our country specific websites to find out about key climate change and energy policy drivers in:
(Information on policy drivers in Wales coming soon!)
Climate change and energy policy
International
The Kyoto ProtocolThe Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement amongst 37 industrialised nations to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990 levels by 2012. Each country had a different target, relating to its individual socioeconomic circumstances. The UK's target was to reduce its emissions by 12.5% by 2010. Visit DECC's website to find out about how this target was met. |
Durban Platform for Enhanced ActionIn December 2011, the United Nations Conference of the Parties met in Durban to determine action on climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. At the conference, 194 countries committed to write a comprehensive global agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The treaty, which will be the first agreement with legal force to cover both developing and devloped countries, will be negotiated by 2015 and come into force in 2020. Read more about the Durban Climate Change Conference on the UNFCCC website. |
UK
The Climate Change ActThe Climate Change Act came into force in November 2008. It sets a legally binding target to reduce the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. It also created the Committee on Climate Change, an independent body to advise Government on carbon budgeting and to identify cost effective carbon savings. |
The Energy Act 2008The Energy Act provided the legal framework for the feed-in tariff (which supports small-scale low carbon technologies), renewable heat incentive and mandatory installation of smart meters. |
The Energy Act 2011The Energy Act, which received Royal Assent in October 2011, includes proposals for the introduction of the Green Deal (see below); the repeal of the Home Energy Conservation Act in England, Scotland and Wales, and the establishment of a new Energy Company Obligation. Visit the DECC website to find out more about the Energy Act 2011 |
Renewable heat and electricity
Feed-In TariffsThe Government introduced a system of feed-in tariffs (FITs) to incentivise small-scale (less than 5MW), low-carbon electricity generation by paying householders for electricity generated, as well as additional payments for electricity exported to the grid. Find out more about the opportunities that Feed-In Tariffs offer. |
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI)The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) will encourage the installation of equipment such as solar thermal technologies, biomass boilers and heat pumps. RHI tariffs are available for non-domestic installations (including district heating), while domestic installations are eligible for Renewable Heat Premium Payments. RHI tariffs for the domestic sector will be introduced in 2012 alongside the Green Deal. Find out more about the opportunites that the Renewable Heat Incentive offers. |
Energy-efficient refurbishment
The Green DealThe Government's proposed Green Deal will allow householders access to financing to pay upfront for energy efficiency improvements to their homes. Participants will then repay the loan through a charge added to their energy bill. The first Green Deals are planned to appear in Autumn 2012. |
Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT)CERT is a legal obligation on the six largest energy suppliers to achieve carbon dioxide emissions reductions by improving the energy efficiency of housing. The Electricity and Gas (Carbon Emissions Reduction) (Amendment) Order 2010 extended CERT until December 2012 and introduced an obligation for suppliers to meet at least 68% of their obligation through professionally installed insulation measures. |
Community Energy Saving ProgrammeCESP is a programme that targets specific areas of deprivation. It promotes a whole house, community-wide approach to energy efficiency; measures are funded by energy suppliers and generators. Visit DECC's website for information on the CESP Programme. In 2012, the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target and the Community Energy Saving Programme will be replaced by the Energy Company Obligation. |
Consultation: smart metering implementation programmeThe UK Government intends to roll out smart gas and electricity meters to all households by 2020. The Government has published a number of consultations on the design and implementation of the programme. Visit DECC's website for information on the Smart metering implementation programme. |
New build housing: planning and building regulations
Standard Assessment Procedure 2009 (SAP 2009)The 2009 edition of the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP 2009) applies from October 2010 for compliance with Section 6 of the Building Regulations. Energy Performance Certificates will be produced using SAP 2009 from 17th April 2011. Visit BRE's website for more information on the Standard Assessment Procedure. |
Developing a strategy
In this section we cover how your local authority can develop its climate change strategy.
