How London Paves the Way with Sustainable Development Plan
Reinforcing its commitment to sustainable development, the City of London Corporation's Sustainability Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) provides developers with the essential guidance necessary to align with the City Corporation’s ambitious sustainability objectives.
It aims to position London's Square Mile at the forefront of sustainable urban development worldwide.
The City's vision for net zero
Embedded within the broader scheme of things, the SPD represents a vital piece of the City Corporation’s strategy to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040.
This initiative not only focuses on decarbonisation but also enhances resilience against climate impacts and fosters sustainable growth.
“The Committee’s approval of the Planning for Sustainability SPD is a major step forward for the City Corporation in pursuit of its decarbonisation goals,” says Shravan Joshi, the Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee.
“This new guidance provides transparency to the built environment sector, encouraging it to come with us on this journey.”
The guidance covers five critical themes:
- Retrofit and reuse
- Greenhouse gas emissions and energy use
- Circular economy principles
- Climate resilience
- Urban greening and biodiversity.
Prioritising retrofit and reuse
Central to the SPD’s ethos is the ‘Retrofit First’ principle, which elevates the reuse of existing infrastructure above new constructions.
This approach significantly cuts down on embodied carbon - the emissions produced through the manufacturing and transport of construction materials — while preserving London’s distinctive architectural heritage.
This forward-thinking document also brings in benchmarks for embodied carbon.
Projects that fail to meet these standards at the planning stage will be required to bring additional sustainability benefits to the table.
These may include enhancing local energy networks, boosting public transport infrastructure or rolling out ingenious climate resilience initiatives.
Envisioning sustainable office spaces and more
The Square Mile, noted for its concentration of office spaces, receives particular emphasis within the SPD.
Developers are urged to meet stringent NABERS UK energy efficiency targets, requiring a 5-star rating for new office constructions and a 4-star for retrofits.
The implementation of such high standards is intended to lure global businesses and talent, thereby decreasing the environmental toll of the commercial real estate sector.
By adapting to rigorous global standards, the SPD potentially sets a new benchmark for sustainable design worldwide, as Shravan says.
He explains: “The City of London is home to some of the most sustainable commercial buildings on the planet... we are setting the pace globally for sustainable design, with the delivery of the next generation of new and retrofit developments.”
Embracing circular economy and enhancing biodiversity
The SPD encourages adherence to circular economy principles, prompting developers to minimise waste and recycle materials throughout the life of a building.
This shift away from the linear 'take-make-dispose' model is anticipated to lessen the construction industry's environmental footprint significantly.
The document also addresses climate resilience measures, essential for mitigating urban challenges like flooding and overheating, and promotes biodiversity and urban greening initiatives that improve air quality, support ecosystems and foster community well-being.
With the SPD’s ratification, London sets a robust foundation that emphasises both economic vitality and environmental responsibility.
“We see continued confidence and demand for high quality, sustainable office space in the Square Mile... to attract the best global talent, innovators, and high growth businesses,” Shravan says.
Make sure you check out the latest industry news and insights at ClimateTech Digital and be part of the conversation at our global conference series, Sustainability LIVE.
Discover all our upcoming events and secure your tickets today. Subscribe to the ClimateTech Digital newsletter.
ClimateTech Digital is a BizClik brand