Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he will take through the planning system to ensure that all new developments are carbon neutral by 2030.

The National Planning Policy Framework sets out how the Government expects the planning system to help mitigate and adapt to climate change, and addresses the need to reduce carbon emissions.

The Framework expects Local Plans to take account of climate change over the longer term; local authorities should adopt proactive strategies to reduce carbon emissions and recognise the objectives and provisions of the Climate Change Act 2008. Support for the transition to a low carbon future is one of the core planning principles set out in the Framework.

We will amend the Framework to ensure that it targets areas where a reformed planning system can most effectively play a role in mitigating and adapting to climate change, and maximising environmental benefits.

We are continuing to reflect on the detailed design of our current programme of planning reforms, in the light of the many consultation responses received, and will set out the proposed way forward shortly.

From 2025, the Future Homes Standard will ensure that new homes produce at least 75% lower CO2 emissions compared to those built to current standards. These new homes will be future-proofed with high levels of energy efficiency. No further retrofit work will be necessary to enable them to become zero-carbon as the electricity grid continues to decarbonise.