With 25% of the UK&rsquo;s total emissions directly attributed to the built environment, it is essential we tackle emissions associated with the construction, use and operation of our buildings.&nbsp;Our new Planning for Sustainability Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) includes key actions and measures on reducing whole life cycle carbon and operational emissions in buildings in the square mile.&nbsp;All developments must employ circular economy principles to ensure materials are retained in use at their highest value for as long as possible.&nbsp;<span data-slate-fragment="JTVCJTdCJTIydHlwZSUyMiUzQSUyMnBhcmFncmFwaCUyMiUyQyUyMmNoaWxkcmVuJTIyJTNBJTVCJTdCJTIydGV4dCUyMiUzQSUyMldlJTIwYXJlJTIwbG9va2luZyUyMGZvciUyMGZlZWRiYWNrJTIwdG8lMjBlbnN1cmUlMjB0aGUlMjBTUEQlMjBpcyUyMGFzJTIwdXNlZnVsJTIwYW5kJTIwYW1iaXRpb3VzJTIwYXMlMjBwb3NzaWJsZSUyMGluJTIwZHJpdmluZyUyMHN1c3RhaW5hYmxlJTIwZGV2ZWxvcG1lbnQlMjBhY3Jvc3MlMjBhbGwlMjBmdXR1cmUlMjBDaXR5JTIwc2NoZW1lcy4lMjBIYXZlJTIweW91ciUyMHNheSUyMG5vdy4lMjIlN0QlNUQlN0QlNUQ=" id="isPasted">We are looking for feedback to ensure the SPD is as useful and ambitious as possible in driving sustainable development across all future City schemes.&nbsp;Have your say on the <a class="fr-green fr-strong" data-uw-original-href="https://citysustainabilityspd.commonplace.is/en-GB/proposals/greenhouse-gas-emissions-and-energy-use/step1" data-uw-rm-brl="PR" href="https://citysustainabilityspd.commonplace.is/en-GB/proposals/greenhouse-gas-emissions-and-energy-use/step1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">greenhouse gas emissions</a> and <a class="fr-strong fr-green" data-uw-original-href="https://citysustainabilityspd.commonplace.is/en-GB/proposals/circular-economy/step1" data-uw-rm-brl="PR" href="https://citysustainabilityspd.commonplace.is/en-GB/proposals/circular-economy/step1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">circular economy</a> chapters of the SPD before consultation closes on Friday 17 May 2023.&nbsp;

Reducing emissions in our built environment

Our Planning for Sustainability SPD includes a chapter on&nbsp;&#39;Retrofit and Reuse&#39;&nbsp;to explain our retro-fit first approach, key actions and measures.&nbsp;The City will require developments to take a &#39;retro-fit first&#39; approach. The opportunity to retain and retrofit existing buildings must be fully explored and prioritised before a development can consider demolition.Retrofitting existing buildings is a principal way of reducing carbon emissions in the construction industry and in the Square Mile. Demolishing and building new buildings can be very impactful on the environment due to embodied carbon associated with the production and transportation of new materials, construction works and building waste.<a data-uw-original-href="https://citysustainabilityspd.commonplace.is/en-GB/proposals/retrofit-and-reuse/step1" data-uw-rm-brl="PR" href="https://citysustainabilityspd.commonplace.is/en-GB/proposals/retrofit-and-reuse/step1">Review and have your say on this chapter here.</a><a data-uw-original-href="https://citysustainabilityspd.commonplace.is/en-GB/proposals/retrofit-and-reuse/step1" data-uw-rm-brl="PR" href="https://citysustainabilityspd.commonplace.is/en-GB/proposals/retrofit-and-reuse/step1" id="isPasted" aria-label="citysustainabilityspd.commonplace.is" data-uw-rm-empty-ctrl=""></a>

Retrofit first

Public consultation is now live on the Planning for Sustainability SPD!Explore the SPD, tell us your thoughts and share the news with others who are interested in sustainable development in the Square Mile. We&rsquo;re looking forward to receiving your feedback and responses over the next eight weeks.A big thank you to all that attended and participated in our public consultation events on Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning. It was great to discuss the SPD and key sustainability topics with you. &nbsp;There&rsquo;s more information on the <a aria-label="City of London website - open in a new tab" data-uw-original-href="https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/services/planning/planning-policy/planning-guidance" data-uw-rm-brl="PR" data-uw-rm-ext-link="" href="https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/services/planning/planning-policy/planning-guidance" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" uw-rm-external-link-id="https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/services/planning/planning-policy/planning-guidance$cityoflondonwebsite">City of London website</a> and don&rsquo;t hesitate to email us if you have any further questions or comments at <a aria-label="send an email to PlanningPolicyConsultations@cityoflondon.gov.uk" data-uw-rm-vglnk="" href="mailto:PlanningPolicyConsultations@cityoflondon.gov.uk" uw-rm-vague-link-id="mailto:planningpolicyconsultations@cityoflondon.gov.uk$send an email to planningpolicyconsultations@cityoflondon.gov.uk">PlanningPolicyConsultations@cityoflondon.gov.uk</a>.

Consultation is live! 

Have your say on the new Planning for Sustainability Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

This document has provides details and guidance on sustainable development in the City. It will support commitments in the Climate Action
Strategy to achieve a Square Mile that is net zero by 2040 and resilient to the changing climate.

Public Consultation commences today and will run until Friday 17 May 2024.