How are National Park Planning Services addressing future challenges such as

climate change?

Climate Change- a National and

International Concern• United Nations Framework on Climate Change (1994)‘Plans should aim to control and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in an attempt to minimise climate change’

• UK Programme for Climate ChangeAim of 20% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions below 1990 levels by 2010 and 60% by 2050

…and in Wales• Development proposals should mitigate

the causes of climate change by minimising carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions associated with their design, construction, use and eventual demolition.

• Development proposals should also include features that provide effective adaptation to and resilience against the current and predicted future effects of climate change.

From: Planning for sustainable buildingsWAG Ministerial Interim Planning Policy

Statement 01/2009

Sustainable Design Guide

• The three National Parks in Wales have produced a sustainable design guide

Why have a Sustainable Design Guide?

• The aim of the guidance is to promote high quality, sustainable design that enhances the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the National Parks of Wales.

• High quality sustainable design and development are essential if long term damage to the environment and economic fabric of the National Parks is to be minimised.

Why have a Sustainable Design Guide?

• The aim is also to encourage the design of a new generation of contemporary, high quality buildings based on the principles of intelligent siting, climate responsive structures, using sustainably sourced materials.

Why do we need sustainable design?

• Currently more than half of all resources are used for the construction of buildings.

• 45% of the energy generated globally is used to heat, light and ventilate buildings.

• A further 5% is produced during their construction.

From: Building a Future for Wales, WWF & WSA 2005.

Do we have enough resources?

• If this pattern of consumption were repeated on a global scale, we would require the resources equivalent to 3 of our worlds to support our existence. This level of consumption is unsustainable.

From: Building a Future for Wales, WWF & WSA 2005.

Advantages of Sustainable Design and

Development• The running costs of a development

will be much reduced.• Sustainable design should not add

prohibitively to capital costs when valued over the life of the building.

• The development will meet the needs of the local community through addressing local as well as global needs.

What are the key principles of sustainable

design?Energy- minimise energy consumption and climate altering gas emissions by:

• Choosing a good site• Best use of materials

and energy sources• Using on site/locally

generated energy from renewable sources where possible

Can you design an ‘eco-house’?

• Look at some examples of ‘eco homes’

• How could you use the key principles of sustainable design?

• What features would you include to mitigate the effects of climate change?