Planning system reforms for climate commitments

NEW ANALYSIS: Meeting European climate goals will require a stark contraction in fossil gas use. But in many countries gas grid planning is based on the assumption of infinite gas grid use. Despite the substantial implications for gas grid users and infrastructure, current grid planning does not adequately reflect this new reality. This misalignment poses a substantial barrier to the transition towards a sustainable energy system and underscores the need for more holistic planning. Alignment of energy infrastructure planning with other planning processes could better support climate and social goals. Regulations regarding heat planning, for instance, have significant consequences for gas grid infrastructure development, heating appliance regulations and consumer burdens. Infrastructure planning processes also do not yet address the support needed to ensure vulnerable energy users are able to fully participate in the transition to cleaner, more efficient technologies. Our study provides comprehensive information on the current state of the gas grid, its development, and the regulatory framework in selected European countries, and identifies current regulatory barriers for the phase-out of fossil gas. It concludes with recommendations on how Member States could better align energy infrastructure planning with the attainment of national and EU climate targets: - Adopt a national phase-out target and give energy regulators a net zero mandate. - Make the regulatory framework fit for the gas phase-out. - Adopt integrated heat and grid planning. - Plan future gas infrastructure based on realistic assumptions about future availability of zero-carbon heating technologies. - Track and collect harmonised data at the EU level. - Protect vulnerable customers. More in our Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP) & Oeko-Institut e.V. report released today.

In recent months, key environmental summits on plastics, climate, and biodiversity have been disrupted by vocal and self-interested minorities who exploit consensus-based rules to stall negotiations and block progress. The multilateral governance system, largely unchanged since the 1992 UN Climate Convention, is no longer equipped for today’s realities. Failure to adapt will bring devastating consequences for people and planet. It is time for the system to evolve. It must prevent obstruction by vested interests working against humanity’s benefits; become nimble and efficient enough to respond to urgent crises; account for the interlinkages between climate, nature, pollution and people; and rebuild trust, providing the foundations for higher ambition. We must now: Move beyond unanimity: Reform the UN consensus model to allow supermajority decisions, breaking deadlocks and enabling aligned countries to move forward together. Reform governance processes: Improve COP presidency selection, enhance accountability, and amplify voices from scientists, indigenous communities, and vulnerable nations. Host targeted summits: Replace annual mega-events with solution-driven meetings focused on key issues fostering faster, more ambitious progress. Integrate climate, biodiversity & adaptation: Address interconnected challenges through unified strategies, leveraging nature-based solutions and stronger links between climate and biodiversity COPs.

The government's launch of a consultation to speed up planning and development processes for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects is a much-needed step in the right direction for the UK's green energy sector. The current planning and consent system has long been criticised for causing delays and uncertainty, leading to prolonged periods of limbo for renewable energy projects. These bottlenecks have hindered the country's progress in meeting its renewable energy targets and securing necessary investments in green energy infrastructure.   The proposed reforms, including a "fast track route" for large-scale projects that offer community and environmental benefits, demonstrate the government's commitment to promoting clean energy initiatives like offshore wind farms and nuclear power plants. Introducing time-based targets for the planning process is also a welcome move, as it will provide clarity and certainty for investors and developers. Additionally, strengthening the pre-application period, streamlining examination processes, and embracing digitalization will contribute to a smoother and more efficient planning system.   It's essential for the government to address certain lingering issues. While the consultation aims to unblock bottlenecks, it falls short in addressing the 'de facto' ban on new onshore wind farms in England. Removing this ban, especially where there is community support, would be a crucial step in harnessing the potential of onshore wind as one of the most cost-effective sources of energy. By doing so, the government can ensure energy security and help lower energy bills for millions of households.   The government's consultation is a positive development, but it must not stop at mere bureaucratic streamlining. It should be seen as an opportunity to catalyse a broader transformation of the energy landscape by embracing more renewable energy sources and enabling community-backed projects. By combining these efforts with data-led environmental reporting and a strong focus on outcomes, the UK can achieve faster and greener delivery of infrastructure, creating jobs, fostering economic growth, and propelling the nation towards a sustainable and decarbonised future.   https://lnkd.in/eJnQz4Pb

What facilitates climate change action across planning systems? Article out now open access in Journal of Planning Education and Research. We interviewed Australian urban planners and identified barriers and facilitators to climate change action across planning systems. Facilitators identified are shown in the figure below. Our results reveal four factors necessary to transform urban planning systems for effective climate change action: (1) planning education institutions and professional associations must appropriately update professional capacity requirements and opportunities; (2) professional capacity and culture change needs to be enabled; (3) material resources must be facilitated; to (4) design and implement effective urban planning policy instruments for climate change action. With Sareh Moosavi, Alan March, Judy Bush, Georgia Warren-Myers and Josh Nielsen PhD. Available at: https://lnkd.in/gytsYwzA

Climate change demands a comprehensive strategy that goes beyond traditional focuses on research, technology, and finance. A "whole-of-economy" approach integrates every sector and stakeholder, recognizing climate change as an economic and social challenge, not just an environmental issue. This approach promotes a cohesive strategy, leveraging the strengths of the entire economy and acknowledging the interconnectedness of various sectors. This method provides a holistic understanding of how human activities contribute to the broader climate system. Agriculture, transportation, energy production, and industrial processes all play critical roles in greenhouse gas emissions. A fragmented approach focusing on individual sectors cannot fully capture these complexities and interdependencies. The whole-of-economy approach fosters a systemic understanding, promoting solutions that are not siloed. Involving every sector ensures that policies and actions are aligned and mutually reinforcing. For instance, transitioning to renewable energy requires technological advancements, policy changes, infrastructure development, and shifts in consumer behaviour. Coordinated efforts across government, the private sector, and civil society create an enabling environment for such transitions. This approach embeds climate considerations into economic planning and decision-making, encouraging businesses to assess and mitigate climate risks, invest in sustainable practices, and innovate for a low-carbon future. Financial institutions integrate climate risks into their investment decisions, steering capital toward sustainable projects. Governments implement policies promoting green growth, such as carbon pricing and subsidies for clean energy. The whole-of-economy approach also enhances climate adaptation by mainstreaming it into development planning. It ensures that infrastructure, urban planning, agriculture, and public health systems are designed to withstand climate impacts, reducing vulnerability and enhancing community resilience. Equity and justice are central to this approach, addressing disparities by ensuring inclusive climate policies and equitable distribution of climate action benefits. Supporting vulnerable populations and investing in their capacity building and resilience is crucial. In conclusion, the whole of economy approach offers a pragmatic, inclusive, and comprehensive strategy for tackling the climate crisis, mitigating impacts, and strengthening adaptation capabilities for a sustainable and resilient future.